ASSYRIA TOWNSHIP,  Barry County, Michigan
 

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                                                       2009 Board of Review  schedule:

 

                                         3 March (Tuesday)   7 p.m. – 8 p.m. to receive the roll.

                                         9 March (Monday)    9 a.m. – 12 noon,   &    2p.m.-6 p.m. to receive petitions.

                                        10 March (Tuesday)  6 - 9 p.m. to receive petitions.

                                        12 March (Thursday) 6 - 9 p.m. to receive petitions.

 

                                                                                                     Meeting Minutes

The Township Board meets on the first Monday of each month (if Monday is a holiday we meet the following day) at 7:30 p.m. There is always opportunity for Township residents to comment on anything relating to the Township. This means you are welcome to the meetings. 

A regular meeting of the Assyria Township Board was held at the Assyria Township Hall on December 1, 2008.  The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

Members present: Bylsma,  J. Miller,  B. Miller, Timmons, Massimino

Members absent:   None

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:   None

 

Previous minutes were reviewed and approved as written.

The bills were reviewed.  Motion by Timmons, Support from J. Miller to pay the bills.  Roll call taken, all members vote yes.

 

CLERK:

-Motion by Massimino, support from Timmons to approve resolution to allow Treasurer Miller and Clerk Massimino to conduct business at approved financial institutions.  Roll call taken, all members approve.

-Audit is now being conducted by Walker, Fluke and Sheldon in Hastings.   They will present a report at the January meeting

-Motion by Massimino, support from Timmons to move $400 from contingency to Clerk expense to cover mileage submitted by Clerk Massimino.  Roll call taken all members approve

 

TREASURER:

-Financial Statements presented

-Winter Taxes ready to be mailed tomorrow

-Treasurer Miller will purchase flash drives to store information and keep at Township Hall

 

TRUSTEES:  Nothing to report

 

SUPERVISOR:

-Annual meeting with Barry County Road Commission to be held January 8, 2009 at 3pm

-Union Cemetery Board meeting will be held January 15, 2009 at 7pm

-911 committee has developed a draft of the Central Dispatch Plan

-24 of 40 random residents returned questionnaire regarding Township participation and cost sharing in Barry County road maintenance.  96% of respondents (23 of 24) indicated they want the Township to continue participating in the Couny’s road program.

 

OLD BUSINESS: None

 

NEW BUSINESS: None

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

-Commissioner Jeff VanNortwick reported the following:

     -A strategic planning meeting has been planned to allow new county board members to meet with current board members for introduction to the board and its functions

     -Heating and Winterization assistance is available through the Community Action Agency

     -Barry/Eaton Health Dept. encourages all at risk residents to get flu shots

     -Outgoing Commissioner Ferris and Keith Murphy will co-direct Charlton Park

     -The last event at Charlton Park will be held December 13 and 14

     -Hastings will host a Christmas Parade on December 6, 2008

     -Commissioner VanNortwick would like to acknowledge Mike Terpening for his help in rescuing puppies seized in Hastings

 

Mr. Ted Wilkinson asked if there was going to be a newsletter included with the Winter Taxes.  Currently there will only be a notice of the new Treasurer information.  Mr. Wilkinson also wanted to know the status of obtaining a lap top for use by the Board of Review. 

 

Bills paid:

 

CHECK #                                VENDOR                                AMOUNT

8150                                                                            Sally Bivens                        $195.74

8151                                                                            Joan Bair                              136.70

8152                                                                            Nora Peake                          136.70

8153                                                                            Jody Bivens                             184.64

8154                                                                            Postmaster                           378.00

8155                                                                            Consolidated Enterprises       1,334.50

8156                                                                            MTA                                               109.00

8157                                                                            Consumers Energy                   26.29

8158                                                                            Rivertown Enterprises                144.00

8159                                                                            Dennis McKelvey                      804.16

8160                                                                            Hastings City Bank                     432.56

8161                                                                            Mulder Lawn and Snow              900.00

8162                                                                            Mike Timmons                          1,383.52

8163                                                                            Nianne Jarrard                          1,473.57

8164                                                                            Elizabeth Miller                             724.28

8165                                                                            Deborah Massimino                1,119.80

8166                                                                            Deborah Massimino                1,967.89

8167                                                                            James Miller                                307.30

8168                                                                            Fred Bylsma                                307.30

8169                                                                             

Meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m

 

Respectfully submitted, Debbie Massimino, Assyria Township Clerk

 

 

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A regular meeting of the Assyria Township Board was held at the Assyria Township Hall on November 3, 2008.  The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

Members present: Bylsma, Jarrard, Massimino, Miller, Timmons

Members absent:   None

 

PUBLIC COMMENT: None

 

Previous minutes were reviewed and approved as written.

The bills were reviewed.  Motion by Miller, Support from Jarrard to pay the bills.  Roll call taken, all members vote yes.

 

CLERK:

-Engagement letter presented from Walker, Fluke and Sheldon for audit.   Motion by Massimino, support from Timmons to sign engagement letter.  Roll call taken, all members approve

-Presented two bids for computer for incoming Treasurer.  Motion by Timmons, support from Bylsma to approve bid from Consolidated Enterprise in Hastings with the addition of a back up hard drive on the PC.

-Additional voting stations have been added for the general election

 

TREASURER:

-Financial Statements presented

 

TRUSTEE:

-Trustee Bylsma received an email from a representative of the Michigan State Police regarding recent theft of scrap metal on Jenkins Road.  Residents are encouraged to report the license plate numbers of vehicles that are suspicious in their neighborhood. 

-Trustee Miller reported the cemeteries look excellent

-Trustee Miller will be writing to Representative Calley to assist his help in getting Grand Valley State University to assist with burial information at our cemeteries using underground sonar. 

 

SUPERVISOR

-Supervisor Timmons and Trustee Bylsma continue to attend 911 meetings.

-Supervisor gave information to Community Fire Dept. on a company that specializes in collection of fire runs.

 

OLD BUSINESS

-Clerk has issued check for incoming Treasurer to attend tax collection training.   Board discussed also sending deputy Treasurer if new Treasurer would like them to attend.

 

NEW BUSINESS

-Mr. Dennis McKelvey, Assyria Township Assessor presented information on 2009 assesments.   Agriculture land should remain stable, but there will be a decrease in assessments.   Taxable values will increase at the rate of inflation, which is currently 4.4%.  Mr. McKelvey warned that the State Tax Commission has implemented a 14 point review of Michigan Townships, selected at random.   Assyria could soon be chosen and the cost, if found non compliant in assessment information could be substantial to re-assess properties. 

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

-Commissioner Jeff VanNortwick presented the following:     Barry County Board of Commissioners has approved their 2009 budget with a 2.4% decrease.  There has been increased allocation to the jail for repairs and maintenance.

   -Barry County Commissioner meetings are now available by podcast on the Barry County website

   -Barry/Eaton Health Dept. encourages the public to get flu shots

   -Commissioner presented substance abuse report presented by Eaton County.

   -Search continues for Director for Charlton Park

   -Contract negotiations continue with Unions from the Sheriff and Health Dept.

 

The Assyria Township Board and residents in attendance thanked Treasurer, Nianne Jarrard for her years of dedicated service to Assyria Township.

 

 

Bills paid:

 

CHECK #                                VENDOR                                AMOUNT

8140                                                          Dennis McKelvey                        $804.16

8141                                                          Hastings City Bank                        432.56

8142                                                          Mulder Lawn and Snow               1,500.00

8143                                                          Cyber Mind                                  29.95

8144                                                          MTA                                              89.00

8145                                                          Consumers Energy                       15.70

8146                                                          Barry Co. Telephone                      37.36

8147                                                          Michigan Election Resources          40.72

8148                                                          Bellevue Township                        525.00

8149                                                          U.S. Postmaster                           42.00

 

Meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m

 

Respectfully submitted, Debbie Massimino, Assyria Township Clerk

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A regular meeting of the Assyria Township Board was held at the Assyria Township Hall on October 6, 2008.  The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

Members present: Bylsma, Massimino, Miller, Timmons

Members excused:   Jarrard

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

-Mr. Gordy Smith expressed his interest in being a substitute for the Board of Review.  Motion by Timmons, support by Bylsma to appoint Mr. Smith to this position.  Roll call taken, all members approve

-Ms. Rosemary Anger introduced herself as a candidate for the Barry County Drain Commissioner

 

Previous minutes were reviewed and approved as written.

The bills were reviewed.  Motion by Timmons, Support from Miller to pay the bills.  Roll call taken, all members vote yes.

 

CLERK:

-Motion by Clerk Massimino to appoint Sally Bivens, Joan Bair, Nora Peake, Jody Bivens and Lola Hedges to be Election Inspectors for the November 4, 2008 General Election.  Support Timmons

-Currently 110 voters have requested absentee ballots

-Treasurer’s Financial Statements presented

 

TREASURER: Treasurer Jarrard excused

 

TRUSTEE:

-Trustee Miller reported the Cemetery’s look good

 

SUPERVISOR:

-Supervisor Timmons attended 911 Board Meeting with Trustee Bylsma

-Sexton has completed and cleared the fence line at Checkered Cemetery

-Supervisor has researched Bellevue Community Fire Department collection issue, more research is needed for hazardous waste collection

-Supervisor recommended that the new computer for Treasurer operate on Windows XP as it is a more trusted operating system

-A seminar on tax collection will be held on 11/24/08 in Kalamazoo.   Supervisor would like to attend, along with incoming Treasurer

-Will present letter from agency that collects on fire calls to Fire Board

-Requested Road Commission place signage when substantial gravel is laid to warn drivers of possibility of loose or non compacted gravel on road.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

-Mr. Mike Boles noted that the Road Commission will be receiving decreased revenue to decreased gas purchases and asked how the Road Commission was planning on addressing this.   Road Commission representative reported that the Governor has developed a task force to address this issue.   Results should be soon forthcoming

-Mr. Dale Augustine suggested the Road Commission request additional funds from the County instead of relying on Township’s to cover the cost

-Commissioner Jeff VanNortwick reported the following:

         -Future packets of County Commissioners meeting will be available on line

         -Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Council will be

             combining.  

         -Barry/Eaton Health Dept. has posted fees – there have been no

             increases.

         -Health Dept. is recommending flu shots for younger people

         -MSHDA has awarded Barry Co. $250,000 in grants for home repair

         -County budget coming together

         -Recent events at Charlton Park were well attended

         -November 1 marks the first anniversary of the TOST agreement. 

             Comments on this can be presented to Commissioner VanNortwick

         -Barry County Historical Society has published a book.

 

 

 

 

Bills paid:

 

CHECK #     VENDOR                                AMOUNT

8131  Barry Community Fire Board             $5,000.00

8132  Dennis McKelvey                                     804.16

8133  Hastings City Bank                            1,580.02

8134  Mulder Lawn and Snow                       1,262.00

8135  Nianne Jarrard                                     111.15

8136  State of Michigan                                    352.85

8137  Barry County Telephone                             37.36

8138  Flash Sanitation                                      87.00

8139  Consumers Energy                                 35.20

 

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m

 

Respectfully submitted, Debbie Massimino, Assyria Township Clerk

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A regular meeting of the Assyria Township Board was held at the Assyria Township Hall on September 2, 2008.  The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

Members present: Jarrard, Massimino, Miller (arrived 7:35), Timmons

Members excused:  Bylsma  

 

PUBLIC COMMENT: None

 

Previous minutes were reviewed and approved as written.

The bills were reviewed.  Motion by Massimino, Support from Timmons to pay the bills.  Roll call taken, all members vote yes.

 

CLERK:

-Clerk Massimino reported their was no one in attendance for the Barry Community Foundation meeting that was scheduled for August 19, 2008

 

TREASURER:

-Financial Statements presented

-Treasurer Jarrard reported that she had a discussion with the Sexton and instructed them not to mow the cemeteries due to the lack of rain.

 

TRUSTEE:

-Trustee Miller reported cemeteries are in good shape

 

SUPERVISOR

-Supervisor Timmons discussed various cemetery issues to take into consideration in future cemetery ordinance

-Supervisor Timmons will now be the Assyria Township representative on the Barry County 911 Board, replacing Trustee Bylsma

-Supervisor is researching collection issues with the Bellevue Community Fire Board

-Reports of increased instances of rabies in Barry and Eaton County

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

- Mr. Ted Wilkinson discussed the possibility of weed killer for the buckhorn problem in the cemeteries.  Noted by Supervisor Timmons this has been researched and is cost prohibitive

-Treasurer Jarrard reported that she received a call from a resident questioning dust control and the access to a vendor for application for residential use

-Commissioner Jeff VanNortwick reported the following:

        -Barry County is requesting .5 million dollars from FEMA for the recent storms and washouts in the County

        -Sheriff Dept. has received a $31,500 grant for enforcement of seat belt usage, drunk driving patrol and child safety seat enforcement.   The Sheriff is also applying for additional grants.

        -The Barry County Commission on aging presented their annual report and a detailed listing of how the $15,000 county appropriation was spent

       -  44 bats have tested positive for rabies in Michigan

       -  Presented statistics on time of sale transfer

      -Discussed upcoming events at Charlton Park

      -Budget work remains in continuation for the County

-Mr. Ted Wilkinson discussed safety issues for the board of review

 

NEW BUSINESS:  None

 

Bills paid:

 

CHECK #                VENDOR                                         AMOUNT

8109                                        Fred Bylsma                                $    57.18

8110                                        Rivertown Enterprises                         76.50

8111                                        PSI Printing Systems                         133.77

8112                                        Consumers Energy                             15.46

8113                                        Barry Co. Road Commission                  500.00

8114                                        Barry County Telephone                       37.36

8115                                        BS&A Software                                   695.00

8116                                        Mulder Lawn and Snow                      900.00

8117                                        Dennis McKelvey                              804.16

8118                                        Hastings City Bank                                432.56

8119                                        Sally Bivens                                     142.00

8120                                        Joan Bair                                           132.00

8121                                        Nora Peake                                       132.00

8122                                        Jody Bivens                                     132.00

8123                                        Lorraine Carpentier                                  25.00

8124                                        Mike Timmons                             1,383.52

8125                                        Nianne Jarrard                                2,222.85

8126                                        Deborah Massimino                      1,967.89

8127                                        James Miller                                    307.30

8128                                        Fred Bylsma                                    307.30

8129                                        Joshua Massimino                            760.00

8130                                        Postmaster                                        84.00

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:46 p.m,  Respectfully submitted, Debbie Massimino, Assyria Township Clerk

 

  =====================================================

A regular meeting of the Assyria Township Board was held at the Assyria Township Hall on August 4, 2008.  The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

Members present: Bylsma, Jarrard, Massimino, Miller, Timmons

Members absent:   None

 

PUBLIC COMMENT: None

 

Previous minutes were reviewed and approved as written.

The bills were reviewed.  Motion by Miller, Support from Jarrard to pay the bills.

 Roll call taken, all members vote yes.

 

CLERK:

-Clerk is prepared for 8/5/08 primary election

 

TREASURER:

-Financial Statements presented, no comments received.

 

TRUSTEE:

-Trustee Miller reported cemeteries are in good shape

-Trustee Miller cleaned up the cherry tree that fell in the township hall yard

-Trustee Miller discussed recent news report about GVSU students who use radar to locate burials in local cemeteries.

-Trustee Bylsma reported recent thefts of scrap metal and catalytic converters in the County.

 

SUPERVISOR

-Ms. Lorrie Carpentier reported to the township hall to attend the Board of Review meeting that was cancelled due to no poverty exemptions being heard.   Motion by Timmons, Support from Byslma to pay Ms. Carpentier $25 for reporting.  Roll call taken Bylsma, yes; Jarrard, yes; Massimino, no; Miller, yes; Timmons, yes.   Motion passed. 

-Non-functioning lights have been replaced at the township hall

-Supervisor Timmons attended recent meeting with FEMA in Lansing regarding reimbursement grant to the Community Fire Board during recent storms

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

- Mr. Joshua Massimino gave update on cemetery update project

- Mr. Ted Wilkinson discussed obtaining defibrillators for the township hall

-Commissioner Jeff VanNortwick reported the following:

        -Barry County will now be posting minutes of the Commissioners meeting on

          barrycounty.org

        -New zoning ordinances for Barry County are now in effect