September Minutes 2021
ERIE TOWNSHIP
Regular Board Meeting
September 7, 2021
Board Members Present: Supervisor Charles Chadbourne, Supervisor Joann Splonskowski,
Supervisor Gerald Schram,
Quorum present.
Clerk Karen Eifealdt, Deputy Clerk Deb Zachariason, Treasurer Becky
Renner
Other Present: Dale Renner, Matt Arola, Grant Graham, Gary Zachariason
Chairman Chuck Chadbourne called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with Supervisor Chadbourne
and Supervisor Schram present with Supervisor Splonskowski arriving at approximately 6:40.
The agenda was reviewed by board members Supervisors Chadbourne and Schram. A motion was
made by Supervisor Schram and seconded by Supervisor Chadbourne to approve the agenda with some
additions which will be noted on the final agenda. Motion carried.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Since minutes from the August 3, 2021 meeting had been emailed to board members previously,
Chairman Chadbourne asked for any corrections and or additions. Being none a motion was made by
Supervisor Chadbourne and seconded by Supervisor Schram made a motion to approve the minutes of
the August 3, 2021 meeting. Motion carried with a vote of 2-0.
Treasurer’s Report:
Treasurer Becky Renner gave the treasurer’s report with the checking account having a balance of
$25,987.41; the money market account having a balance of $170,117.49, and the CD account having a
balance of $129,089.64 making total funds as of August 31, 2021 $325,194.54. A motion was made by
Supervisor Schram and seconded by Supervisor Splonskowski to approve the treasurer’s report as
presented. Motion carried. Treasurer Renner requested to transfer $50,000 from the money market
account to the checking account. A motion was made by Supervisor Schram and seconded by
Supervisor Chadbourne to approve the transfer. Motion carried. Treasurer Renner commented that she
was in possession of the treasurer’s old computer and that Mary Schermerhorn had expressed an
interest in keeping it. All township records and other information had been removed from the
computer and she wanted to know what to do with it. It was agreed that it should be disposed of in the
dumpster.
Payment of Bills:
Claims were submitted to the board for approval. Supervisor Schram had some questions about hours
submitted for ARP research. Becky Renner stated that when charging for such hours that a detailed
description of what was done be included on the claim form. The reason for this being that there are
different codes that need to be used when posting those claims. Supervisor Chadbourne stated the total
of payroll claims was $1,787.76 and the total of other claims was $69,656.43 with the total being
$71,444.19. A motion was made by Supervisor Splonskowski and seconded by Supervisor
Chadbourne to pay claims. Motion carried. At this point Grant Graham asked to address the board. He made a request that the statements made
during the August meeting regarding graveling and the collection of gravel tax be removed from the
minutes. After considerable debate and discussion, a motion was made by Supervisor Splonskowski
and seconded by Supervisor Chadbourne to remove the two sentences regarding the point in question
and that they be stricken from the record. Clerk Karen Eifealdt was unsure whether or not this could be
done but would get a clarification on it. The motion was called to a vote and passed 2-1 with
Supervisor Schram voting against. Supervisor Chadbourne will also get a clarification on the gravel
tax. Deputy Clerk Deb Zachariason stated that she had provided an accurate account of the meeting in
the minutes.
Road Report:
Grant Graham stated that the sanding contract he has with the township expires on January 1, 2022.
Supervisor Chadbourne announce that the snow truck is DOT’d for the year.
Supervisor Schram stated that after seeing someone doing some roadside mowing for the county with
newer equipment, there was a brief discussion of roadside mowing and the comment was made that
anyone can put in a quote when quotes are advertised yearly.
Supervisor Chadbourne stated that snowplow driver contracts ended on March 31.2021. After some
discussion, a motion was made by Supervisor Schram and seconded by Supervisor Splonskowski to
place an ad in the paper for snowplow operators for the upcoming season. The townships snowplow
will be used and pay will be based on experience. Motion carried.
Supervisor Chadbourne had gotten a request to have speed limit signs put up on 205 th Avenue. Grant
Graham indicated that there had been signs there at one time.
Supervisor Schram had a call regarding Borah Rd washing out. Supervisor Chadbourne will contact
Mr. Marotzke who had been contacted last year to make some improvements on the drainage.
Supervisor Chadbourne stated that he was in contact with someone on South Cotton Lake Road
regarding some concerns between him and a neighbor, but the resident has not followed up with
Supervisor Chadbourne.
Supervisor Joann Splonskowoski stated that on the road tour, the removal of some rocks on 305 th Ave
and 170 th St. had been discussed. Supervisor Chadbourne stated that it had been decided to leave as is
and will be included as the township can afford it.
Supervisor Chadbourne had information regarding stockpile gravel and gravel type. He asked
members of the board to review it and bring suggestions to the October meeting.
Weed Report:
Supervisor Splonskowski brought a copy she composed to landowners with a weed control problem
and asking that they address this problem. She will make copies for board members.
Old Business:
Supervisor Schram brought up duties and responsibilities of board members, stating that minor
decisions can be done without going through everyone. Supervisor Splonskowski that because of open
meeting law, a certain procedure has to be followed.
At this point Supervisor Schram left for the evening.
New Business:
Supervisor Chadbourne had received correspondence regarding the extraterritorial issue with the city
but it did not pertain to Erie Township at this time. Clerk Karen Eifealdt stated that she received correspondence from Carl Malmstrom that the vacation of
the road in Erie Township had been recorded.
Clerk Karen Eifealdt stated that the mailbox is up and the post office will be contacted so mail can be
delivered.
Citizen Comments:
Supervisor Splonskowski brought the original letter from Michelle Fishbach regarding the refuge for
anyone who wanted to review it.
Supervisor Chadbourne requested a list of all contracts that Erie Township currently has. Clerk Karen
Eifealdt will get him a list.
A motion was made by Supervisor Splonskowski and seconded by Supervisor Chadbourne to adjourn
the meeting and the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Chair____________________________
Deb Zachariason, Deputy Clerk
Karen Eifealdt, Clerk Clerk____________________________