The Newberg Township Board met at the Newberg Township Fire Department in regular session on September 14th 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, Harvey and Rifenberg Absent:
Additions/Deletions to Agenda
None at this this time
Approval of Minutes
Motion made by Harvey, supported by Griffiths, to approve the minutes from the August 10th 2026 General Meeting. Motion carried unanimously upon voice vote
Reports
Assessor: Motion made by Duff, supported by Griffiths, to approve Newberg Township’s L-4029 for 2026. Motion carried unanimously upon voice vote.
Ordinance: None at this time.
Ambulance: Director Griffiths reported twenty-six (26) calls for the month of August. Blitz training will be held at the fire station in October. Discussion regarding AEDs and Lucas machines for Ambulance. Director Griffiths suggest the township look into purchasing a refurbished unit. Motion made by Griffiths, supported by Blackburn, to approve the purchase of a used Lucas device from Stryker Corporation in the amount of $15,632.60. Motion carried upon voice vote. Motion made by Griffiths, supported by Harvey, to approve the service agreement with Stryker Corporation to service two AEDs and one Lucas device from now through August 2029 in the amount of $4,371.00. Motion carried unanimously upon voice vote. Motion made by Rifenberg, supported by Harvey, to accept Ryan Miller, MFR, to the Newberg Township Ambulance Department. Motion carried unanimously upon voice vote
Fire: Chief Forrester reported nine (9) calls for the month of August.
Sexton: Sexton Rifenberg reported two (2) full burials and two (2) ash burials for the month of August.
Building: none reported.
Treasurer: Motion made by Blackburn, supported by Griffiths, to amend the budget and transfer $30,618.30 from Building Ground Capital Outlay to Road Contracts. Motion carried unanimously upon voice vote.
County Commission: Nothing at this time.
Solar Project: EDP Renewables present to give update and discuss solar project agreements, decommissioning and emergency response agreements. Motion made by Duff, supported by Griffiths, to adopt the Newberg Township Cass County Decommissioning Plan Agreement with Three Lakes Solar. Motion carried unanimously upon voice vote. Motion made, by Duff, supported by Harvey, to adopt the Emergency Response Agreement for the Three Lakes Solar Project. Motion carried unanimously upon voice vote. Motion made by Duff, supported by Griffiths, to adopt the Development Agreement with Three Lakes Solar. Motion carried unanimously upon voice vote. Motion made by Duff, supported by Griffiths, to accept the Amendment to the Three Lakes Solar Site plan with Newberg Township. Motion carried unanimously upon voice vote.
Public Comment (non-agenda items)
Korie Blyveis, from the Conservation District, shared some updates: 311 permits for soil and erosion done so far this year, 280 inspections for the month of August and they test well water for free the last Wednesday and Thursday of the month at the Cass County Conservation District. Blyveis also reported they are looking for new board members.
Correspondence/Announcements
Hazardous waste collection on October 17th from 10am-1pm at the Cass County Road Commission.
Saturday morning coffee for Newberg Township on October 3rd 8am-10:30am will be at the Newberg Township Fire Department. Will be accepting donations.
Unfinished Business
1. New Township Hall: Supervisor Rifenberg reported the next step for the hall is drywall. Three bids have been gathered for drywall. Huffs Drywall- hanging and finishing cost $22,500.00 along with $11,500.00 for priming and painting for a total of $34,000.00. Second bid McBride Interiors- $17,350.00 for hanging and finishing with an additional $8,750 for prime and painting for a total of $26,100.00. Third bid-Sentry Associates does not prime and paint so the hanging and finishing drywall would cost $27,170.00. Motion made by Rifenberg, supported by Harvey, to accept McBride Interiors for $17,3500.00 hanging and finishing drywall portion and $8,750.00 for the prime and paint portion. Motion carried unanimously upon voice vote.
2. Data Centers: Nothing new to report at this time.
3. Harwood Lake Cemetery: Supervisor Rifenberg has been working on this. Agreement is still being worked on at this time.
4. Credit Cards: Continue working on.
5. Migrant Housing: Clerk Duff read email from Saving Cass County and their concerns regrading this project. The board will look into having Saving Cass County come to a meeting to share their knowledge with Migrant Hosing Projects.
6. Planning Commission: Accepting letters at this time for the board. Nothing more to report.
7. Hall & Cemetery Maintenance: Still working on gathering needs for this, should be at the next meeting.
New Business
1. Corey Lake Ordinance: Have received letters regarding request to add to the Harwood Lake Ordinance. Motion made by Harvey, supported by Blackburn, to adopt Ordinance number 2026-03 for no Mariana on Corey Lake in Newberg Township. Motion carried unanimously upon voice vote.
2. Ordinance Enforcement Officer: Rifenberg opened up the floor to Brian Lamoreaux, Enforcement Officer for Marcellus. Lamoreaux shared about what he does in Marcellus Township and that he is interested in helping Newberg with enforcement needs. Complaints shared regrading different properties in the township with blight issues.
3. Ambulance Pay: Director Griffiths shared concerns about changing payroll structure to every two weeks versus the current structure of monthly and then the 1st through the 15th. Motion made by Blackburn, supported by Griffiths, to change the payroll for Newberg Township to change the day time ambulance workers to every two weeks starting once set up is complete with ADP. Motion carried unanimously upon voice vote.
4. MHR Payment: MHR is requiring as of December 1st all payments must be done electronically by credit card or ACH. Newberg Township does not have ACH and we will need to be using a township card for this payment. Motion made by Duff, supported by Griffiths, to set the credit card limit with Sturgis Bank and Trust at a $5,000 starting limit. Motion carried unanimously upon voice vote.
Bills to Pay
Motion made by Rifenberg, supported by Harvey, to pay the bills for the month of September in the amount of $91,663.15. Motion carried unanimously upon voice vote.
Public Comment
Someone in the audience asked who will be enforcing the ordinance for Corey Lake Ordinance. The enforcement officer will be enforcing this.
Adjournment
Motion made by Rifenberg, supported by Harvey, to adjourn meeting at 8:53pm. Motion carried unanimously upon voice vote.
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