Newberg TWP Regular Meeting

January 9, 2023

Newberg Township January 2023 Board Meeting: 

The January 9, 2023, General Board Meeting was called to order at 7pm at the Newberg Township Fire Department.  Minutes from the December 12, 2022, meeting were approved as written.

Reports: 

Assessor: Nothing to report.

Supervisor Covey went over the Resolutions that the assessor prepared for the board. Motion made by Covey, supported by Duff, for the Newberg Township Resolution for the Poverty Exemption Income Guidelines and asset Level Test for 2023. Roll Call Vote: ‘Aye’-Covey, Duff Rifenberg and Harvey. Absent: VanHeukelum. Resolution adopted.

Motion made by Covey, supported by Rifenberg, for the Resolution to hold joint township Board of Review meetings in 2023 with Decatur, Marcellus and Newberg. Roll Call Vote: ‘Aye’-Duff, Harvey, Covey and Rifenberg. Absent: VanHeukelum. Resolution adopted.

Motion made by Covey, supported by Duff, for the Resolution to set an alternative date for the December Board of Review for 2023. Roll Call Vote: ‘Aye’- Covey, Rifenberg, Duff and Harvey. Absent: VanHeukelum. Resolution adopted.

Motion made by Covey, supported by Rifenberg, for the Resolution to set an alternate date for the July Board of Review 2023. Roll Call Vote: ‘Aye’- Rifenberg, Duff, Covey and Harvey. Absent: VanHeukelum. Resolution adopted.

Ordinance: Supervisor Covey started discussion regarding new ordinance and building codes the township will be looking at to help with Newberg blight issues.

Ambulance: Director Rifenberg reported twenty-two calls for the month of December; seventeen Newberg, four Porter and one Wayne Township. The Ambulance department had a total of 298 calls for the 2022 year. Motion made by Duff, supported by Covey, to accept Tanner Johnson as a member of the Newberg Township Ambulance Department. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

Motion made by Duff, supported by Covey, to approve Steve Schrader as the new Newberg Township Ambulance Director and Jessica Rifenberg as the new Assistant Director starting April 1, 2023, until March 31, 2025. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. 

Fire: Chief Forrester reported five calls for the month of December; four Newberg and one Porter.

Motion made by Rifenberg, supported by Duff, to accept Paul Tucker as a new member of the Newberg Township Fire Department. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

Motion made by Covey, supported by Rifenberg, to accept Steve Schrader as a new member of the Newberg Township Fire Department. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. 

Building: Covey read the report for December.

County Commissioner: Nothing to report.

Public Comment: None

Announcements: 

Landfill passes are now available for the 2023 year by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope with name and property address to Attn. Clerk PO BOX 37 Jones MI 49061.

Unfinished Business: 

Blight Elimination Program: Discussion was had about this during the ordinance report.

New Business: 

Comcast Franchise Renewal: Motion made by Duff, supported by Covey to accept the Michigan Uniform Video Service Local Franchise Agreement Renewal with Comcast. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

Motion made by Duff, supported by Covey, to adopt a resolution to schedule the Monthly General Board Meeting on the second Monday of each month to be held at the Newberg Township Fire Department at 7pm for the 2023 calendar year. Roll Call Vote: ’Aye’-Rifenberg, Harvey, Covey and Duff. Absent- VanHuekelum. Resolution passed. 

Motion made by Duff, supported by Rifenberg, to set the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Inhabitants to be held on March 11, 2024, following the regular General Board Meeting. Roll Call Vote: ‘Aye’- Covey, Harvey, Duff and Rifenberg. Absent: VanHeukelum. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

Bills to Pay: Motion made by Covey, supported by Rifenberg, to pay the bills for the month of January in the amount of $17,616.72. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

Comments from the floor: Clerk Duff discussed scheduling the budget workshop meetings. January 30, 6pm and February 8, 6pm at the Newberg Township Hall.

Motion made by Covey, supported by Harvey, to adjourn the meeting at 8:24pm. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.