The Newberg Township Board met at the Newberg Township Fire Department in regular session on May 11, 2026.
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. Clerk Duff called roll:
Present: Blackburn, Harvey, Griffiths and Duff
Absent:
Motion made by Blackburn, supported by Harvey, to have Griffiths lead the May 11, 2026, General Meeting in place of the supervisor. Motion carried unanimously upon voice vote.
Additions/Deletions to Agenda
Clerk Duff added Ballot wording for Proposals for August Primary under New Business #3.
Approval of the Agenda
Motion made by Duff, supported by Griffiths, to approve the agenda for the May 11th, 2026, General Meeting with additions under New Business. Motion carried unanimously upon voice vote.
Approval of Minutes
Blackburn requested adding under Township Hall the following: The attorney stated not to send the check out to the builder, Van Huis, until the attorney talks to the builder and then keep the building permit in the builder’s name until the repairs are made. Motion made by Duff, supported by Griffths, to approve the April 13th, 2026, General Meeting minutes and the April 21st Special Meeting minutes with amended section under Township Hall. Motion carried unanimously upon voice vote.
Reports
Assessor: Nothing at this time.
Ordinance: Enforcement officer was present and gave updates on current blight cases in the township.
Ambulance: Director Griffiths reported twenty-three (23) calls for the month of April. Fire: Chief Forrester reported two (2) calls for the month of April.
Sexton: Nothing to report.
Building: Report read by Clerk Duff
Treasurer: Report for April available from the treasurer.
County Commission: Not present
Solar Project: Not present
Public Comment (non-agenda items). None at this time
Correspondence/Announcements
Memorial Day Program at Poe’s Cemetery May 25th at noon.
Unfinished Business
1. Township Hall: Griffiths shared that the board has to decide if we want to move forward with an engineering group to finish the project. The board will have to meet with the attorney regarding how to move forward with this project.
2. Harwood Lake Cemetery: Nothing new to report at this time.
3. Enbridge Township Payment: Blackburn shared that everything is taken care of with this check and it was paid back to Enbridge after talking to the assessor and auditor to make sure all taxes are paid and taken care of.
New Business
1. Newberg Supervisor Position: Griffiths reported that the board received one email from Jim Rifenberg who was interested in the position for supervisor. Motion made by Griffiths, supported by Harvey, to appoint Jim Rifenberg as the new Supervisor for Newberg Township, effective May 12th, 2026, to finish out the remaining term. Roll Call ‘Aye’- Griffiths, Blackburn, Harvey, Duff. Motion carried upon roll call vote. Rifenberg stated he will be resigning from Sexton of Newberg Township as of May 11th, 2026. Motion made by Harvey, supported by Griffiths, to accept Jim Rifenberg’s resignation as Sexton for Newberg Township effective May 11th, 2026. Motion carried unanimously upon voice vote.
2. Data Centers in Cass County: Discussion was had regarding resolution and ordinances. Motion made by Griffiths, supported by Duff, to adopt Ordinance
2026-02: Ordinance establishing regulations relating to a temporary moratorium on considering applications for Data Centers, BESS and related infrastructures. Roll Call: ‘Aye’- Harvey, Blackburn, Griffiths and Duff. Motion carried upon roll call vote. Motion made by Duff, supported by Griffiths, to adopt Resolution No. 2026-09 Resolution to adopt a temporary non-zoning moratorium regulatory ordinance regarding data centers, battery energy storage systems, all related data infrastructure facilities and accessory buildings and uses while the township board is undergoing a review of new data and information to create updated ordinances to address data centers, battery energy storage systems, and all related data infrastructure facilities and accessory buildings and uses. Roll Call: ‘Aye’- Duff, Griffiths, Harvey and Blackburn. Resolution adopted upon roll call vote.
3. Ballot Proposals for August Ballot: Motion made by Duff, supported by Griffiths, to adopt Resolution No. 2026-10 Resolution to adopt language for extra-voted road millage. Roll Call: ‘Aye’- Duff, Griffiths, Harvey and Blackburn. Resolution adopted upon roll call vote. Motion made by Duff, supported by Blackburn, to adopt Resolution No. 2026-11: Resolution to adopt ballot language for emergency medical services (ambulance) milage renewal. Roll Call: ‘Aye’- Duff, Griffiths, Harvey and Blackburn. Resolution adopted upon roll call vote.
Bills to Pay
Clerk Duff read notice from Geek Genius regarding price increase for website hosting. If the township wants to pay for an entire year at this time, the price will be locked in for that year. Duff will contact Geek Genius about doing this.
Motion made by Duff, supported by Griffiths, to pay bills for the month of May in the amount of $24,824.92. Motion carried unanimously upon voice vote.
Public Comment
Comments and questions regarding data centers.
Adjournment
Motion made by Griffiths, supported by Harvey, to adjourn the May General meeting at 7:48pm. Motion carried unanimously upon voice vote.
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