The Newberg Township Board met at the Newberg Township Fire Department in regular session on February 9, 2026.
Supervisor Covey led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
Clerk Duff called roll: Present: Blackburn, Covey, Griffiths, Duff, Harvey Absent:
Additions/Deletions to Agenda
None at this time.
Approval of the Agenda
Motion made by Duff, supported Harvey, to approve the agenda as written for the February 9th General Meeting. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Approval of Minutes
Motion made by Duff, supported by Griffiths, to approve the minutes from the January 12th and January 21st meetings as written, and to approve the February 4th meeting minutes as amended. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Reports
Assessor: Supervisor Covey reported we are looking for one member for the Board of Review.
Ordinance: Nothing to report at this time.
Ambulance: Director Griffiths reported twenty-five (25) calls for the month of January.
Fire: Chief Forrester reported four (4) calls for the month of January. Annual inspections on equipment has been going on this past month.
Sexton: Nothing to report.
Building: Report read by Clerk Duff.
Treasurer: Motion made by Blackburn, supported by Griffiths, to close the ARPA account from G.W.Jones Bank and transfer remaining funds to the General Account.
County Commission: Not present.
Solar Project: Ali Stano from EDP Renewables shared updates on the solar project. Newberg Township grant money was approved this month. Newberg Township will be given, through the grant from ELGE, $740,000.00. Once the solar project begins construction in the township, the township will be given half the amount from the grant. The remaining funds will be given at the completion of construction. Stano shared that Fabius Township is wanting EDP Renewables to use “game friendly” fencing for the solar project. If this is federally approved to use, Stano asked the board to start thinking about if this is fencing the township would prefer to use. A meeting is scheduled for April 7th to teach and train our first responders on safety situations regarding the solar project.
Public Comment (non-agenda items)
Questions about a home demo on Main Street and where they are in the process at this time.
Correspondence/Announcements
Board of Review: March 9th, 3pm-9pm at the Marcellus Township Hall, March 10th, 9am-3pm, at the Decatur Township Hall. Tax Collection: Feb. 23rd 5pm-7pm and March 2nd 9am-12pm & 1-5pm at the Newberg Township Hall. Budget Hearing: March 9th following the General Board Meeting.
SESC Trade Show: Feb 20th 9am-1:30pm at 13120 Born St. Jones.
Unfinished Business
1. New township hall: Supervisor Covey shared updates on construction.
2. Township Lake Ordinance: Clerk Duff shared that the attorney will be working on adding wording for “no marina” into the current Harwood Lake Ordnance.
3. Harwood Lake Cemetery: Nothing at this time.
4. Cass Mobile Clinic: Nothing new at this time, schedule is going well. The mobile will continue to be at the Newberg Township Fire Department the last Tuesday of every month, 9am-4pm.
5. Enforcement Officer: Supervisor Covey shared changes within our enforcement officer position. At this time the board will be tabling this issue and contacting the attorney before moving forward with the enforcement officer.
6. Crane Pond DNR: Ken Kessor presented information about the DNR programs in our area, along with what is happening around Crane Pond and surrounding state land.
New Business
1. Newberg Township Principles of Governance: Supervisor Covey read the Principles of Governance that the board signed.
2. Data Centers in Cass County: Clerk Duff shared that the attorney will be writing up an ordinance for the township to help with the concerns regarding data centers.
Bills to Pay
Clerk Duff shared the estimated Motion made by Blackburn, supported by Griffiths, to pay the bills for the month of February in the amount of $45,524.79. Motion carried unanimously upon voice vote
Public Comment
Luke Lori was present and shared about running for state representative for the 36th district. Resident asked about the amount of money the township gets from the DNR land.
Adjournment
Motion made by Covey, supported by Harvey, to adjourn the meeting at 8:44pm. Motion carried.
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