The Newberg Township Board met at the Newberg Township Fire Department in regular session on June 8, 2026.
Supervisor Rifenberg led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
Clerk Duff called roll:
Present: Duff, Blackburn, Griffiths, Rifenberg and Harvey. Absent:
Additions/Deletions to Agenda
No additions or deletions at this time.
Approval of Minutes
Motion made by Rifenberg, supported by Harvey, to approve the May 11, 2026, General Meeting Minutes and the May 27, 2026, Special Meeting minutes. Motion carried upon voice vote.
Reports
Assessor: Nothing to report.
Ordinance: Ordinance enforcement officer shared estimate for clean up on Lily Lake in the amount of $30,000.00 for full property cleanup. Discussion was had regrading when to start the cleanup on this property.
Ambulance: Griffiths reported twenty-eight (28) calls for the month of May.
Fire: Chief Forrester reported fifteen (15) calls for the month of May; nine (9) Newberg, five (5) Porter and one (1) mutual aide to Marcellus.
Sexton: Rifenberg reported six (6) ash burials for the month of May. Building: Nothing to report.
Treasurer: Treasurer Blackburn reported tax bills will be going out July 1st. Looking at buying postage for the entire year before it goes up next month. Newberg received a public safety grant from the state.
County Commission: Nothing to report.
Solar Project: Clerk Duff shared update on Solar Grant.
Public Comment (non-agenda items): Comments shared at this time.
Correspondence/Announcements: Nothing at this time.
Unfinished Business
1. New Township Hall: Supervisor Rifenberg opened up discussion regarding the hall. Rifenberg shared 2 quotes he received for insulation for the new township hall along with quotes for dirt work. Motion made by Rifenberg, supported by Griffiths, to have Joe Wickey, Newberg Building Inspector, place Newberg Township on the building permit for the township hall at this time. Motion carried unanimously upon voice vote. Motion made by Griffiths, supported by Duff, to pay the contractor his check for $6,350.00 at the time he provides us with the list of communications and documents requested by the board and the electrical supplies he is storing for us. Supervisor requested roll call: ‘Aye’- Duff, Griffiths. ‘No’- Harvey, Rifenberg and Blackburn. The motion is lost upon a roll call vote. No more discussion was had regarding this.
2. Township Lake Ordinances: Nothing at this time.
3. Harwood Lake Cemetery: Nothing at this time.
4. Data Centers: Nothing new at this time regrading Newberg Township. Supervisor Rifenberg stated he put together a 5 member committee for zoning. Enforcement Officer stated to contact the attorney before moving forward with a zoning committee because of rules and regulations regarding this.
5. BS&A Tax Program: Nothing new at this time, waiting to see when to pay this. Will continue to have on the agenda.
New Business
1. Migrant Housing Camp: Supervisor Rifenberg turned meeting over to architect, Kevin Barker, property owner David Perez, and builder Ryan Glass. Discussion and questions were had regarding the project. Property owner stated that the housing project would house up to 300 temporary/seasonal agricultural workers who live in Mexico and work here in the summer. The housing project can also be used for rental property in the off season. Concerns were shared from residents and board members regarding this housing.
2. Ambulance Credit Card: Clerk Duff will continue to look at getting a credit card for ambulance and also one for township.
3. BS&A Online Tax Payments: Blackburn would like to have the ability for residents to be able to pay their taxes online moving forward. Motion made by Balckburn, supported by Rifenberg, to approve signing the contract for BS&A to do online taxes thought stripe processing to allow people to pay their taxes online. Motion carried upon roll call vote. Motion made by Blackburn, supported by Harvey, to adopt Resolution #26-12 to establish the acceptance of payments by financial transactions devices. Roll call: ‘Aye’- Rifenberg, Harvey, Griffiths, Duff and Blackburn. Resolution adopted upon roll call vote.
4. Bid Policy: Clerk Duff will give examples and request a procurement policy be written up from the township attorney so the board can move forward with creating a policy
Bills to Pay: Motion made by Blackburn, supported by Griffiths, to pay the bills for the month of June in the amount of $131,396.12. Motion carried unanimously upon voice vote.
Public Comment
Public comments made at this time.
Motion made by Duff, supported by Harvey, to sign Resolution No. 26-13: Expressing concerns regarding the establishment of a large-scale migrant housing facility within Newberg Township due to limited public safety and emergency services capacity. Roll Call: ‘Aye’- Duff, Griffiths, Harvey, Blackburn and Rifenberg. Resolution adopted upon roll call vote.
Adjournment
Motion made by Duff, supported by Griffiths, to adjourn the meeting at 9:31pm. Motion carried unanimously upon voice vote.
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