Sheridan Township Board of Trustees Meeting
April 16, 2024
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 Stephanie Craig.
Present: Richard Porter, Scott Frederick, Rusty Smith, Hayley England, and Stephanie Craig.
Absent: None
II. Approval of Agenda: An additional item will need to be added to the agenda. Item number 9, Future Recreation Park’s Millage Usage. A motion was made by Richard, 2nd by Rusty to accept the agenda with the addition. All in favor, the motion passed.
III. Approval of previous township board minutes. Corrections are proposed. A motion was made by Rusty, 2nd by Scott to accept the March 19th meeting minutes with corrections. All in favor, the motion passed. A motion was made by Rusty, 2nd by Scott to accept April 2nd policy manual workshop meeting minutes as presented. All in favor, the motion passed.
IV. 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.
V. Treasurers Report: We have received a maturity notice for the CD at Eaton Community bank. The new rates will not be available until later this month. A motion was made by Rusty, 2nd by Scott to allow the treasurer to check rates and renew the CD at the best rate available.
VI. Correspondence: None
VII. Committee Reports:
Planning Commission/Roads - Scott Frederick. The Planning Commission has one more meeting scheduled for the master plan before completion. There was a road meeting at the County on April 15th, but there is nothing to report from that meeting.
Fire - Chief Lance Lohrke. Chief goes over his report for March. Training for March was CPR. Two firefighters attended a thermal imaging class in Delta Township. Braxton Masternack has passed the firefighting academy.
Deputy - Jack Williamson. Jack Williamson introduces himself as the new Deputy Sheriff for Sheridan Township.
Fire station update - Rusty Smith. Rusty goes over what has been done to date on the Fire Station addition. No payment requests have been made for this month. The inside of the new addition is complete. There was a walkthrough on March 29th and a list of repairs needed was made. We have received the occupancy certification. The brick arrived today and should be started soon. There were four open items on the walkthrough. One is completed and two will be done with the exterior. The last one will be completed at the end of the project.
XI. Public Comment: Tommy Miller, Calhoun County Commissioner made a comment. He reminds everyone that the park’s millage is up for renewal and will probably pass. He gives a road policy and road repair update. April Savickas from CISMA informs everyone about the Mile-a-Minute weed. She explains that CISMA works to combat invasive species like the Mile-a-Minute weed. She gives out information on the identification and eradication of this species. There is a grant that covers the survey and treatment to prevent the spread of this plant.
X. Unfinished Business: None
XI. New Business
1. Presentation – Rod Auton Calhoun County Senior Services. Not present at the meeting.
2. Bill Dawe – Citizen concern / internet request. Mr. Dawe has an internet concern. Bill would like to see fiberoptic internet in the area. There is a survey online to challenge the FCC on where the internet is available.
3. Bryan Fritz – Advanced Communication update. Not present at the meeting.
4. Approve budget amendments for 2023-2024 budget. A motion was made by Rusty, 2nd by Scott to approve the budget amendments for 2023-2024 as presented. Roll call vote. All in favor; the motion passed.
5. Approve payment in lieu of benefits for Lance Waito. Lance Waito does not take the offered health insurance from the Township. He is asking if the board would be willing to give a payment in lieu of benefits instead of the health insurance benefit. It is suggested that the Township pays Lance an extra $100 a week to compensate him for not taking the health insurance. A motion was made by Rusty, 2nd by Scott to approve payment in lieu of benefits for Lance Waito. Roll call vote. All in favor; the motion passed.
6. Approve Resolution 2024-12 to adopt amendment to Large Solar Field Ordinance. There has been a change to the zoning ordinance for the fencing of large solar fields from chain link with barbed wire to wildlife fencing. A motion was made by Scott, 2nd by Rusty to approve Resolution 2024-12 to adopt the amendment to the Large Solar Field Ordinance. Roll call vote. All in favor; the motion passed.
7. Approve Resolution 2024-13 to return 26 ½ Mile Road back to gravel between C Drive North and I-94. Most of the residents that live on this road have signed a petition to turn their road back to gravel. A motion was made by Rusty, 2nd by Hayley to approve Resolution 2024-13 to support the residents’ decision to return 26 ½ Mile Road back to gravel between C Drive North and I-94 with additional gravel. Roll call vote. Rusty - yes, Richard - yes, Scott - no, Hayley - yes, Stephanie - yes. The motion passed.
8. Discuss State Police/Deputy Sheriff Office. The State Police will be sharing the office located in the Township with the new Deputy Sheriff.
9. Future Recreation Park’s Millage usage. Richard presents the idea of putting a pavilion on the Township property for the resident’s use. With the current Fire Station construction project, have dirt that needs to be removed for drainage. We can use that dirt as a base for the pavilion and save money. This is a way for us to use the park’s millage funds inside the township to benefit our residents. A motion was made by Rusty, 2nd by Scott to go ahead and move the dirt and begin preparing the site for a pavilion. Roll call vote; all in favor. The motion passed.
XII. Adjourn: A motion was made by Hayley, 2nd by Stephanie, to adjourn at 8:05. All in favor, the motion passed.
Stephanie Craig, Secretary
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