October Minutes 2021
ERIE TOWNSHIP
Regular Board Meeting
October 5, 2021
Board Members Present: Supervisor Charles Chadbourne, Supervisor Joann Splonskowski,
Supervisor Gerald Schram
Quorum present.
Officers Present: Clerk Karen Eifealdt, Treasurer Becky Renner
Others Present: Dale Renner, Matt Arola, Grant & Brenda Graham, Tom Graham, Mark Palm, Barb Moser
Chairman Chuck Chadbourne called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. The agenda was reviewed by board members. A motion was made by Supervisor Splonskowski and seconded by Supervisor Schram to approve the agenda with the additions as noted on the final agenda. Motion carried.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Approval of Minutes:
Even though all board members had received a copy of the September 7, 2021 meeting minutes by email, Supervisor Splonskowski requested that the clerk read the minutes. Clerk Karen Eifealdt then read the minutes. A motion was made by Supervisor Splonskowski to approve the minutes for discussion. After seconding, Chairman Chadbourne asked for corrections and additions to the minutes. Supervisor Splonskowski noted several. After some discussion regarding the minutes and corrections, Clerk Eifealdt suggested that board members email any additional corrections/additions to her, she would correct and email to board members. Approval would then take place at the November regular meeting. Supervisor Splonskowski rescinded her previous motion. A motion was made by Supervisor Splonskowski and seconded by Supervisor Chadbourne to approve September 7, 2021 meeting minutes at the November regular meeting. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report:
Treasurer Becky Renner gave the treasurer’s report with the checking account having a balance of $5,953.92; the money market account having a balance of $212,551.34; and the CD account having a balance of $129,089.64 making total funds as of September 30, 2021 $347,594.90. A motion was made by Supervisor Splonskowski and seconded by Supervisor Schram to approve the treasurer’s report as presented. Motion carried. Treasurer Renner requested to transfer $15,000 from the money market account to the checking account. A motion was made by Supervisor Schram and seconded by Supervisor Chadbourne to approve a transfer of $15,000 from the money market account to the checking account to cover expenses. Motion carried.
Payment of Bills:
A motion was made by Supervisor Schram and seconded by Supervisor Splonskowski to approve payment of bills in the amount of $8,370.84. Motion carried.
Road Report:
Grant and Tom Graham reported on work that they had completed including some graveling on 324th Ave, an asphalt patch on Otto Zeck Rd.. Brush mowing will be completed. There are some low hanging branches on 305th Ave. and Otto Zeck. These will be taken down. A motion was made by Supervisor Schram and seconded by Supervisor Splonskowski to move forward with the brush mowing so as to address any issues. Motion carried.
Snow plow operator applications were reviewed. There was some discussion regarding a personal conflict with one applicant that, until resolved, would eliminate him from being considered. A ,motion was made by Supervisor Splonskowski and seconded by Supervisor Schram to make Mark Palm the primary snow plow operator based on his experience with the township and with the board’s satisfaction with the work he has performed in previous years. Motion carried. A motion was made by Supervisor Schram and seconded by Supervisor Chadbourne that the salary will be $140/week while on call and $40/hour for plowing time. Motion carried.
The sanding contract, which expires on January 31st, was discussed. A motion was made by Supervisor Splonskowski and seconded by Supervisor Chadbourne to place an ad in the paper for quotes for sanding straight sand on Erie Township roads. Motion carried. Clerk Eifealdt will place the ad in two upcoming issues of the paper in the Help Wanted section.
Clerk Eifealdt presented the board with the road certification paperwork which was reviewed and signed by Chairman Chadbourne. Karen will drop them off at the Highway Department.
When the ad is put out for contractor quotes, there should be quotes for class 5 gravel and screen gravel.
Gravel tax was discussed and clarified.
Weed Report:
Mark Palm did about 40 miles of ditches on both sides of the road.
Joann gave copies to board members of the letter to landowners with weed issues. There was a brief discussion about adding a supervisor contact number to the letter. A motion was made by Supervisor Schram and seconded by Supervisor Splonskowoski to move forward with sending out the letters. Motion carried. All supervisors will receive a list of letter recipients.
Old Business:
There was discussion of the process to move from an elected clerk and treasurer to an appointed clerk and treasurer. Supervisor Splonskowski voiced a concern about making the change in the township government. A motion was made by Supervisor Splonskowski and seconded by Supervisor Chadbourne to table this discussion until November. Motion carried with a vote of 2 – 1 with Supervisor Schram voting against. The matter was tabled until November.
The discussions of administrative policies, corrections & procedures, and resolution payroll expenses & payroll policy were also tabled until the November meeting.
New Business:
The zoning request was briefly discussed. It was a general consensus of the board that if residents are not notified of the zoning requests, there is no reason for a board member to attend the hearings.
Clerk Eifealdt provided the board with the resolution designating the polling place for 2022. This needs to be done yearly by December. The form was signed by Chairman Chadbourne and Clerk Eifealdt. The clerk will get it to the Becker Co Auditor’s office.
Records retention was discussed, the clerk indicated that she would be working on records on October 15th if anyone was interested in helping that day.
Citizen Comments:
None
There being no further business, a motion was made by Supervisor Splonskowski and seconded by Supervisor Schram to adjourn the meeting and the meeting was adjourned at 9:04 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Chair___________________________
Karen Eifealdt, Clerk
Clerk___________________________