Newberg Township General Meeting

June 12, 2023

The June 12, 2023, General Board Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm at the Newberg Township Fire Department. Minutes from the May 8, 2023, general meeting were approved after amended.  

Reports: 
Assessor: Nothing to report

Ordinance: Discussion was had regarding the Newberg Township Blight Ordinance.

Ambulance: Director Schrader reported twenty-one calls for the month of May; thirteen Newberg, five Porter, one mutual aid Porter, one mutual aid Marcellus and one transfer out of Borgess Lee. Stryker delivered and installed a power cot for the ambulance this month. Schrader reported that Dr. Queen, Medical Director for Cass County, is allowing the ambulance department to use a volunteer fire fighter from Newberg Township Department as a driver for any ambulance calls. This will help keep more EMTs available for other calls instead of having to use two EMTs on each call. May 31, 202,3 Sue Forrester has retired after over 50 plus years of service to the Newberg Township Ambulance Department.

Fire: Chief Forrester reported four calls for the month of May; three Newberg and one Porter. New applicant Nathaniel Stahl was approved at the May fire meeting as a new recruit for the fire department. Motion made by Covey, supported by Harvey, to approve the hiring of Nathaniel Stahl to the Newberg Township Fire Department. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. 

Sexton: Rifenberg reported one full burial for the month of May.

Building: Clerk Duff read the building report for May.

Treasurer: Report for the month of May is available by contacting the Treasurer

County Commission: Work will be starting on the old courthouse after finish up some paper work. No date for completion at this time.

Public Comment: None at this time. 

Correspondence: Noted misc. correspondence. Supervisor Covey read the resignation letter from Trustee Rifenberg. Motion made by Covey, supported by Harvey, to accept resignation from Jim Rifenberg as Newberg Township Trustee effective date of June 30, 2023. Motion carried by voice vote. 

Unfinished Business: 
New Township Hall: Supervisor Covey contacted a surveyor and waiting to schedule an appointment for them to come out and look at possible sites for the building. 

New Business: Accepting and Opening Bids for Cemetery Dump Truck: Covey reported four bids were received for the dump truck. The highest bid was submitted by Freedom Property Maintenance for $1,500.00 for the 1987 cemetery dump truck. Motion made by Covey, supported by VanHuekelum, to accept the bid from Freedom Property Maintenance in the amount of $1,500.00 for the 1987 dump truck. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

Bills to Pay: Motion made by VanHuekelum, supported by Covey, to pay the bills for the month of June in the amount of $212,117.02. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. 

Comments from the floor: Resident asked how much the enforcement officer makes and for copies of the Blight Ordinance for Newberg. 

Motion made by Duff, supported by Harvey, to go into a closed session under 8H of the Open Meetings Act and adding Beth from Zoning Solutions and Attorney Sara Senica to the closed meeting. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Motion made by Duff, supported by Covey to adjourn the general meeting at 9:09pm. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.