Sheridan Township Board of Trustees Meeting
August 17, 2021
7:00 pm
I. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Richard Porter at 7:00 pm.
The Pledge was led by Randy Fisher
Present: Randy Fisher, Scott Frederick, Hayley England, Stephanie Craig, and Richard Porter.
Absent: None
Audience: Harold Badger, Gary Tompkins, Tyler Collins
II. Approval of Agenda: A motion was made by Randy, 2nd by Scott to accept the agenda as written. All in favor. The motion passed.
III. Approval of previous Township Board Minutes: A motion was made by Scott, 2nd by Randy to accept the July 20th meeting minutes as presented. All in favor. The motion passed. A motion was made by Scott, 2nd by Hayley to accept the August 10th meeting minutes as presented. All in favor. The motion passed.
IV. Payment of Bills: A motion was made by Randy, 2nd by Scott to approve the payment of the bills. Roll call vote; all in favor. The motion passed.
V. Treasurers Report: Hayley lets the board know that she will be closing the accounts for C Drive Sewer, which are no longer needed. A motion was made by Randy, 2nd by Scott to accept the treasurers report as presented. Roll call vote; all in favor. The motion passed.
VI. Correspondence: RSVP for the meeting in Coldwater for MTA.
VII. Committee Reports:
1. Planning Commission/Roads – Scott Frederick. There was a special planning meeting for transmission lines. They are waiting on the site plan from the company which should be available in about a month. Next on the schedule for the Planning Commission is the ordinances, and they are also working on finishing up the Master Plan.
2. Fire – Chief Lance Lohrke. Chief Lohrke was not in attendance. Tyler Collins went over the report for July. See the attached report for the calls in July. Training for July was dry hydrants. The fire department has been down to Day’s Inn to do inspections because of complaints that have been received about fire safety issues.
VIII. Public Comment: Gary Tompkins: There was a budget meeting in July. Gary went over what transpired during that meeting. The county has approved a feasibility study for fiberoptic internet. He goes over his newsletter. He talks about his 5-point plan in improving respectability in our roads. Randy asked about the road repair/maintenance plan for the county, and when that is typically released. In 2021 that plan was released in June. Randy asked about the 50/50 match in the budget cost of the roads versus the actual cost of the roads, and explains that there needs to be transparency in this process. Gary agrees.
IX. Unfinished Business: None
X. New Business
1. Trustee Randy Fisher to report finding on 24 Mile bridge. Randy Fisher went over his report. See the attached report for Randy’s findings.
Randy was at the August Calhoun County Commissioners meeting, and brought up our road issues to the committee. He explains that they are not doing their job properly, and that this is not acceptable to our townships. Randy thinks that we need to look at a new funding specifically for townships for road maintenance/repair. Instead of changing ACT 51, we should be working on a different funding. Richard wants to know where the ACT 51 money is going, and Gary says that there will be a new report showing that information next month. Discussion ensued about roads and funding.
2. Start Discussion on a 3-year plan for roads and replacement bonding. Richard explains that we should have money coming in every year. We need to come up with a plan on how we will use that money to do the roads. Scott says that we should bring in a company to come in and “rate” our roads, and their condition. Then we can use that information to make a plan. It is decided that we will check into that and get a quote for that process. Randy would like to have a plan in place by the end of the year. Richard would like to see at least a 3-year plan. If we have money coming in from solar, we won’t be able to put it into the general account, or we will lose our revenue sharing. We could potentially use that money to make payments on a bond for the roads. Randy thinks that we should base the bond on what we are sure we will have coming in every year. Interest rates are going up, so we don’t want to wait too long.
3. Public Hearing/Board Meeting August 31st, 2021 at noon. Richard reminds the board that there is a meeting on August 31st at noon.
4. Covid office hours discussion. Richard lets the board know that if anything happens due to Covid it is possible that we will need to reduce our office hours again. As of right now, everything will stay as it is.
XI. Adjourn: A motion was made by Randy, 2nd by Hayley to adjourn at 8:25. All in favor; the motion passed.
Respectfully Submitted,
Stephanie Craig, Secretary
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