December Minutes 2021
ERIE TOWNSHIP
Regular Board Meeting
December 7, 2021
Board members present: Chairman Charles Chadbourne; Supervisor Joann Splonskowski;
Supervisor Gerald Schram
Officers present: Clerk Karen Stenerson-Eifealdt; Treasurer Becky Renner
Others present: Dale Renner; Brant Bigger; Ronald Blauert; Michael Johnson;
Craig Fairbanks; Kyle Vareberg; Matt Arola
Chairman Chuck Chadbourne called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. The agenda was reviewed by the
board. A motion was made Supervisor Splonskowski and seconded by Supervisor Schram to approve
the agenda with the additions as noted on the final agenda.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
A motion was made by Supervisor Splonskowski and seconded by Supervisor Chadbourne to approve
the minutes of the September 7, 2021 regular meeting with no discussion. Motion carried.
Clerk Karen Eifealdt read the minutes of the November 2, 2021. A motion was made by Supervisor
Splonskowski and seconded by Supervisor Schram to approve the minutes as read. Motion carried.
Treasurer Becky Renner gave the treasurer’s report noting that the CD has been turned into a municipal
bond. Treasurer Renner reported the checking account having a balance of $7,234.48; the Money
Market account having a balance of $202,075.18 and the CD having a balance of $129,264.70 making
total funds as of November 30, 2021 $338,574.36. A motion was made by Supervisor Schram and
seconded by Supervisor Chadbourne 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 to cover the bills. A motion was made by Supervisor Splonskowski and seconded by
Supervisor Schram to approve the transfer. Motion carried.
Road Report:
Brant Bigger presented an amended plan to his previous request for a septic drain field noting that it
would go up to the right of way and not encroach on the township right of way. He provided signed
permission/authorization from a neighbor and Kyle Vareberg from Becker County Zoning commented
that they had seen no problems with septic systems that went up to the right of way. After a brief
discussion, a motion was made by Supervisor Schram and seconded by Supervisor Chadbourne to
approve the request. The motion was approved.
Craig Fairbanks also presented to the board a clarification and a redesign of his request for a septic
drain field. Due to the uniqueness of this particular right of way, it is no value to the township. A
motion was made by Supervisor Splonskowski and seconded by Supervisor Schram to approve his
request. Motion carried.
Supervisor Schram had talked to Guy Hudson from DL Towing who tows our snowplow when needed.
Supervisor Schram advised him not to push snow across the road leaving snow on the road. He
responded that towing would be going up in cost. There was some discussion about different options.
Nothing was decided.
There had been a complaint regarding snowplowing on Aljoe Lane. The resident had reported it had
been a white pickup. Supervisor Chadbourne will talk with Grant Graham.
Supervisor Chadbourne had received a call from Olander Bus regarding the hill on the corner of Otto
Zeck and 170 th St. being too icy making it difficult to go up the hill from one way and difficult to stop
or slow down coming the other way. After Supervisor Chadbourne made a few phone calls, the city
agreed to sand as needed since it is the making of snow at Detroit Mountain that causes most of the
extremely icy roads in that area.
Plow storage was discussed. Keith Drewes said he could provide storage. Supervisor Splonskowski
suggested that we look at other options as well. Supervisor Schram will do more checking.
Michael Johnson introduced himself. He will be the alternate snowplow driver. Pay was discussed.
A motion was made by Supervisor Chadbourne and seconded by Supervisor Schram that standby pay
should be $140 week and $35/hour for snowplowing. Motion carried.
Old Business:
Erie Township received additional ARPA funds due to the division of funds not claimed by some
townships. The first report is due April 30 th .
The resolution for payroll and expense claim/check policy was presented to the board. Supervisor
Splonskowski expressed her opposition to the policy citing precedence. A motion was made by
Supervisor Schram and seconded by Supervisor Chadbourne to pass the resolution. Motion carried
with a vote of 2-1 with Supervisor Splonskowski voting against.
Administrative policies will be tabled until January.
New Business:
With the resignation of the deputy clerk, Clerk Karen Eifealdt asked the board if they wished to
proceed with adding the question of appointing the clerk/treasurer vs electing the clerk/treasurer to the
ballot in March. After discussion Supervisor Splonskowski made a motion to withdraw the question
from appearing on the ballot in March. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Chadbourne. The
motion passed 2-1 with Supervisor Schram voting against.
Subdivision request was presented. No action needed at this time. The board should address any
questions/concerns.
Payment of bills:
Claims were submitted to the board for approval. A motion was made by Supervisor Schram and
seconded by Supervisor Splonskowski to pay the claims in the amount of $14,778.17. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Supervisor Splonskowski and seconded by Supervisor Schram to adjourn the
meeting and the meeting was adjourned at 8:48 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Clerk Karen Eifealdt