9-14-09 Minutes

LINCOLN TOWNSHIP
CLARE COUNTY
P.O. BOX 239
LAKE GEORGE, MI 48633
989-588-9841

Minutes for September 14

Supervisor, Dennis R. Zimmerman
Clerk, Carol L. Majewski
Treasurer, Maggie Carey
Trustee, Stella Hardin
Trustee, Mike Tobin

Minutes
Special Meeting w/ Dreyer
Lincoln Township Board
14 September 2009

Supervisor Zimmerman called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll call present were, Carey, Hardin, Tobin, Zimmerman and Majewski. Also present was Lakes Dir.Carey, Deputy Kennedy, Fire Chief Majewski, County Commissioners Grim and Lockmiller, Planning Chr. Hamilton, Planning Sec. Sczcepanski, Zoning Admn. Lambert, Building Insp. Mantei, Farwell Village Pres. Grim and 14 other interested persons.

The August 10 2009 regular minutes accepted as presented.
The August 11 2009 special meeting minutes with Wilcox accepted as presented.

Treasurer’s report was accepted as read.

Motion by Hardin to pay the monthly bills, second by Tobin, roll call vote, 5 yeas, motion carried.

Zimmerman read correspondence from Rolf Hudson regarding his disappointment that Tammy Howell was not appointed to the Planning Commission at the August meeting.

Zimmerman opened the public hearing for the Lake George S/A .

Zimmerman explained that the Lake George S/A is due for renewal. The assessment is for the control of aquatic nuisance weeds and lake improvement. The annual assessment amount is not to exceed $125.00 per year, per household, billed on the winter tax bills.

Zimmerman asked if there were any objections to the S/A.

Chris Lewis stated that the treatments do not seem to be working and that the lake seems to have a lot of weeds. Zimmerman explained that the lake does have a lot of native plants, but the treatments are primarily for the treatment of invasive species, such as Eurasian Milfoil and Curly Leaf Pond Weed.

Marcia Wentworth inquired as to the DEQ doing the permits for the treatments. Zimmerman said that they do.

Zimmerman asked if there were any supportive comments.

Roger Carey said that the program is working great. He inquired as to increasing the assessment to 10 years.
Kim Hamilton asked the difference between a 5 year assessment and a 10 year assessment. Zimmerman said that the difference is that there won’t be a need to redo a hearing and publishing in five years. Zimmerman recommends that the assessment be capped at $125.00 per year, per household. It was asked who does the $125.00 encompass? Zimmerman said that it will include households on the lake.

Carey explained that the $34,000.00 currently in the Lake George S/A does not have to be returned to the riparian households, it will roll and we will not have to assess this year.

Zimmerman motioned to adopt resolution number 091409-A, a resolution regarding renewing the Lake George Weed and Lake Improvement Special Assessment District for a period of 10 years, with a $125.00 per year, per household cap, second by Tobin, roll call vote, 5 yeas, resolution adopted.

Zimmerman closed the hearing for Lake George.

Zimmerman opened the hearing for the Bertha Lake S/A.

Zimmerman explained that this assessment is for the control of aquatic nuisance weeds and lake improvement. The assessment is currently at $80.00 per riparian lot. Zimmerman explained that for the last 3 years the amount assessed to each riparian lot owner has been considerably less than the allowed maximum of $80.00. This had caused a shortfall in funds and the district is the hole.

Zimmerman read correspondence from Fred Hickok supporting the S/A district. Zimmerman suggests a 5 year program, raising the amount to $110.00 capped per year, per lot. The assessment currently generates about $8,000.00 per year. The raise will allow us to catch up without compromising the program. Zimmerman opened to floor to objections.

Marion Waite objected to the assessment because she feels that the east side of the lake gets all the crude and it isn’t doing any good.

The floor was opened to supportive comments.

Hickok reiterated his letter of support previously read.

Waite asked if everyone in Lincoln Township was included or just people who live on Bertha Lake. Zimmerman said that it only includes people who have lots on Bertha Lake.

Carey commented on the letter of support received from Mark Sheehy by fax that was unintentionally not brought to the meeting. She said that the letter did not indicate a dollar amount, but was supportive of the program.

Hickok said that he had polled the Bertha Lake Prop. Owners Board and they were unanimous in their support of the program.

Motion by Zimmerman to adopt resolution number 091409-B, a resolution regarding the renewal of the Bertha Lake Aquatic Nuisance Weed and Lake Improvement S/A district for a period of 5 years, $110.00 capped, per lot, per year, second by Tobin, roll call vote, 5 yeas, motion carried.

Zimmerman closed the Bertha Lake S/A hearing.

Motion by Zimmerman to approve a fire fund expenditure of $525.00 for the purpose of purchasing 50 work shirts for firefighters from “Your Putting Us On”, second by Hardin, all in favor, motion carried.

Chief Majewski announced that Asst. Chief Cogswell was chosen as the firefighter of the year by his peers. Cogswell has been a member of the department for 16 years and is also a paramedic with United Rescue .
Majewski reported 1 mutual aid, 28 rescue, 1 fire and 2 power line related runs for August, 235 year to date.

Zimmerman explained our bee and bat problem at the township hall. Both the bees and the bats respectfully received their eviction notices and have moved on.

Motion by Zimmerman to appoint Jerry Bridges to the Planning Commission, second by Tobin, all in favor, motion carried.

Marion Waite ask the township to mow our lot on Bertha.

Kim Hamilton commented on his disappointment with the board not appointing Tammy Howell to the Planning Commission. He asked if the decision can be reconsidered. Zimmerman said the he wants to hold off on reconsidering until October because there seems to be some problem with the terms of the settlement requirements between Howell and McCarty. Hamilton said that he needs help with the planning commission and that he feels that Howell is an asset.

Don Sladik said he thinks the township should consider hiring an engineer to evaluate projects and to solicit quotations on behalf of the township.

Motion by Hardin to adjourn the meeting, second by Tobin, all in favor, meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Carol L. Majewski, Clerk

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