The November 11, 2024, Newberg Township General Meeting was called to order at 7:00pm at the Newberg Township Fire Department. Present: Covey, Blackburn, Harvey, Griffiths, and Duff. Motion made by Duff, supported by Griffiths, to approve the minutes from the October 14, 2024, General Meeting. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Reports:
Assessor: nothing to report
Ordinance: Not present, will share when the enforcement officer comes later in the meeting.
Ambulance: Director Schrader reported thirty-three (33) calls for the month of October. Fire: Chief Forrester reported nine (9) calls for the month of October. Painting completed in the meeting area of the fire station and they are continuing to work in the bays now.
Sexton: Rifenberg reported two cremains burials for the month of October. Building: Report for October was read by Clerk Duff.
Treasurer: Report available at the meeting or by emailing treasurer. County Commission: Not present.
Public Comment: None at this time. Correspondence: Nothing to report.
Announcements: Clerk Duff shared that around 900 people voted in the November 5th election. This was about a 62% turn out of registered voters for the township.
Unfinished Business:
Ambulance Funds: Griffiths reported he received a check this month from Penn, LaGrange, Calvin and Jefferson Townships in the amount of $8,000.00 for ambulance services that Newberg Township Ambulance responded to in their townships since June 2024. Discussion was had regarding the payment.
Maple Street Clean-up: Motion made by Blackburn, supported by Harvey, to add $2470.00 to the 61591 Maple Street Winter taxes for blight clean up. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
New Township Hall: Supervisor Covey contacted the health department and is starting the process of getting a permit for the septic and well. Discussion was had regarding the drawing for the hall. Clerk Duff will email the builder and ask for him to do a drawing with the offices on the north side and the bathroom and storage on the south side of the building.
New Business:
Bair lake and Driskel Lake Budgets: Auditor stated that these two accounts need to have a budget in the next fiscal year.
Bair Lake PLM Payment problems: Currently, Porter Township is behind on their PLM payment for Bair Lake and Newberg has paid some of that. Griffiths will be contacting Porter regarding overdue payments and payment owed to Newberg.
Water Issue with Hall: Duff reported water is coming into the woman’s bathroom from the west wall. Duff will contact someone to get a quote to repair issue.
Township Road Tour with Cass County Road Commission: Supervisor Covey reported they would like to do a road tour to see what roads to quote for the 2025 road projects. Road tour is scheduled for December 5 at 1pm.
Ambulance Millage: Ambulance Millage passed at the November 5th election. This will give the department about $110,000.00. Attorney Senica was present to share updates regrading minimum wage changes and what they will mean for the department.
Discussion was had regarding staffing issues within the department and what the board can do to help the volunteers who are going on calls. Motion made by Duff, supported by Griffiths, to pay the EMT $100 per call and MFR $80 per call starting November 1, 2024, and going through November 30, 2024, with the board reviewing if they will continue this moving forward at the December 9, 2024, General Meeting. Roll Call- Aye: Duff, Covey, Blackburn, Harvey and Griffiths. Motion carried upon roll call vote.
Ordinance Officer: Discussion was had regarding mass gathering issues the township has been having.
Bills to Pay: Motion made by Covey, supported by Griffiths to pay the bills for the month of November in the amount of $30,529.73. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Public Comment: Ali Stano, from EDP Renewables was present to give an update on the solar project in Newberg Township. The company will be working on the new permit and have it ready to turn into the township by May 2025. Currently they are looking at 2026 or 2027 for construction with the project being fullyoperating in 2028. Someone from EDP Renewables will be coming to the township meetings regularly to give updates.
Motion made by Covey, supported by Harvey, to adjourn the meeting at 9:00pm. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
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