April 15, 2025 Board Meeting Minutes

Sheridan Township Board of Trustees Meeting

April 15, 2025

7:00 pm

I.          Call to Order:  The meeting was called to order by Richard Porter at 7:00 pm.

The pledge of allegiance to the Flag of the United States:  Led by Jack Williamson.   

II.         Present:  Richard Porter, Scott Frederick, Rusty Smith, and Stephanie Craig.

Absent:  Hayley England, excused.

III.        Approval of Agenda:  An item needs to be added to the agenda – the maturing CD for the Fire Department.  A motion was made by Rusty, 2nd by Scott accept the agenda with the addition.  All in favor, the motion passed. 

IV.        Presentation by University of Michigan.  Students from U of M have been working with the Township Supervisor and Trustee.  Their project is focused on car charging stations in the area.  They will be submitting a grant application for the installation of charging stations in the Township.  They are collecting signatures for support of their project to turn in with the application.    

V.         Approval of previous township board minutes:  A motion was made by Rusty, 2nd by Scott to accept the March 18th meeting minutes as presented.  All in favor, the motion passed. 

VI.        Payment of Bills:  A motion was made by Scott, 2nd by Rusty to approve the payment of bills.  Roll call vote; all in favor.  The motion passed.

VII.       Treasurers Report:   Treasurers report is provided for the board. 

VIII.      Correspondence:  None

IX.        Committee Reports:

1.      Planning Commission/Roads - Scott Frederick.  There was a meeting last month for battery storage that will be added to the solar ordinance.   Gravel pit mining has been tabled for now. 

2.      Fire - Chief Lance Lohrke.  Chief goes over his report for March.  Training for March covered Brandt Woods solar farm.  Tyler Collins is the 2024 Firefighter of the Year chosen for his dedication to the Smoke Alarm program that he initiated in the Township.  The pancake breakfast is scheduled for May 18th from 8am-11am.   

3.      Deputy - Jack Williamson.  Jack presents his report for March.   Rusty would like Jack to be at the Pancake breakfast to represent the Sheriff's Department in Sheridan Township.

X.         Public Comment:  Dave Gilbert, County Prosecutor, comments that they are receiving more funding from the State, and they have gotten 3 additional attorneys.  They received a grant from the State for promoting safe storage of firearms.  Brady Friss from Ranger Power introduces himself and comments on adding battery storage to the River Forks Solar Project.  Janet Cuatt congratulates the fire department on their outstanding work in the community and with the residents.  Jerome Harvey chair of Albion EDC introduces himself. 

XI.        Unfinished Business:  None

XII.       New Business

1.      Approve adjustments to 2025-2026 budget.  A motion was made by Rusty, 2nd by Scott to approve the adjustments to the 2025-2026 budget.  Roll call vote; all in favor.  The motion passed. 

2.      Discuss/approve starting process to secure road bond.  There was a discussion about the next steps for the Township roads.  There will be meetings needed to figure out where we need to begin this process.  

3.      Discuss need for Zoom board meetings.  A motion was made by Scott, 2nd by Rusty to approve the Clerk to purchase equipment for Zoom meetings not to exceed $4,000 with a custom cabinet to lock the TV.  Roll call vote; all in favor.  The motion passed. 

4.      Motion to approve Master Plan distribution.  A motion was made by Rusty, 2nd by Scott to approve the distribution of the Master Plan.  All in favor.  The motion passed. 

5.      Discuss future plans to provide landscaping for Township Hall.  A motion was made by Rusty, 2nd by to approve the Clerk and Treasurer purchasing landscaping material for the Township Hall not to exceed $1,000.  Roll call vote; all in favor.  The motion passed. 

6.      Discuss next steps on office carpet.  A motion was made by Rusty, 2nd by Scott to approve the purchase of carpet for the Supervisors office.  Roll call vote; all in favor.  The motion passed.  

7.      Discuss maturing CD for the Fire Department.  The Fire Department CD is maturing on April 22.  The treasurer will allow the CD to roll over if no better rates are available.

XII.       Adjourn:  A motion was made by Stephanie, 2nd by Scott, to adjourn at 7:58.  All in favor, the motion passed.

Stephanie Craig, Secretary