Meeting called to order by Supervisor Barry at 10:04 A.M. with everyone standing and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call
was taken by Clerk Wilton as follows:
Supervisor Vince Barry, Treasurer Jim Cooper, Clerk Kathy Wilton, Trustees Elaine St. Louis and Colin Combs were present along with 23 citizens.

Public Comment:
none
Correspondence
read by Wilton as follows: County commissioner minutes, MDEQ request for driveway, FEMA minutes, DNR letter in response to Sherman Twp fracking concerns, planning commission minutes.

Minutes of last meeting were reviewed. Motion to approve the minutes of December 21, 2011 by Cooper/Combs. M/C.

Treasurer’s Report given by Cooper as follows:
General Fund $412,247.71
Fire Fund $174,636.56
Fire Fund Capital Reserve $120,963.13
Garbage Fund $107,394.09
Road Fund $292,972.12
Mosquito Fund $ 18,796.47
Weed Control/Lake Improvement $236,244.44
All Funds $1,363,227.52

Motion by St. Louis/Barry to approve the treasurer’s report as presented. M/C Cooper reported that disbursements from taxes have been done to date.

Wilton read the bills to be paid as follows: General fund $169,163.72, Fire Fund $2,931.56 and Payroll $4,731.90. Motion to pay the bills as presented by Combs/Barry. M/C

Guests:
Commissioner Reid was absent but called Barry to give a report. Governor Snyder will be on Facebook on the 19th for questions and comments. There will be no gypsy moth spraying done in Secord Twp this year.

R&R Assessing: Kelly reported they are finishing new construction and they are finalizing rolls to be turned in. She will have numbers at the next meeting to share.

Committee Reports:

Planning Commission: Rex Rowe reported that they have established terms for members, they are preparing a flyer to go into the summer taxes, Feb 8th is the first EMCOG meeting to outline the general timeline for the masterplan, zoning board of appeals has a general meeting being set up and they are working w/ Alan Shirkey to get him on board with everything. Van Wambeke mentioned that homeowners need to be aware that driveway culverts are the homeowners responsibility and need to be maintained by the homeowner for proper water flow.

Fire Board: Martin Holmes reported there were 3 rescue runs last month. They are still looking at fire trucks. The budget is being started for the upcoming fiscal year. A renewal for the millage will be coming up in August. Christopher Ostrander has applied to join the Secord Fire Dept. The Fireboard recommends approval based on 90 day probation period. Motion by Wilton/Combs to accept Ostrander to the fire dept pending a letter about car insurance. M/C

Holmes then discussed a firefighter that has been on sick leave for nearly 2 years. The fire board would like a letter from his doctor before he is allowed to go on any runs or participate in any activity at the dept and recommends a letter be sent to him severing ties to the dept until a letter is received from the doctor releasing him. Motion by Barry/Cooper for Wilton to send a certified letter to suspend the relationship (but encourage him to reapply when released) until a doctors released is received. M/C

Road Committee: VanWambeke reported that a public hearing will take place on Feb 7th at the county road commission for the county 5 year plan. The committee is anticipating an increase on paving due to oil prices. Land surveys are being done on Moose, Ridge and Center. It will cost approximately 40K to do 1 mile of ditching clean out now.

Constable Report: LuAnn Hurry reported all inspections were done and all is well.

Zoning Administrator: Alan Shirkey reported that 2 land use permits were issued in Dec. He is learning the job.

Ordinance Officer: (Given by Barry) 3 citations have been issued by Whitten. Court date for 1 tomorrow.

Other Business:

Aquatic Nuisance Control: submitted paperwork for permits from the DEQ. Smallwood is $800 and Secord is $1500. Motion by St. Louis/Cooper to send checks for the permits. M/C

FEMA update: Barry reported that things are moving forward and mapping is being completed in a timely manner.

Fracking wells: Wilton noted that the fracking of the earth for natural gas in Sherman Twp is important to all of us. We plan to stay on top of this issue and keep the citizens apprised of what is going on.

Consumers Energy: Meeting with Jeff Mays of Consumers went well. They are interested in helping Secord put in natural gas. We are waiting for a timeline so we know how to proceed. They have stated that they would need a 50% commitment from the homeowners. More meetings will be coming soon and more information also.

Board of Review: Barry reported a refresher training meeting this Saturday.

Absentee Ballots: available now.

Barry reported he has heard from the attorney about the new fireworks law. The township liability is nil at this point.

Wilton thanked Jeanne and Earl Cervus and everyone who helped with the Christmas luncheon after the December meeting. Wilton also reported that a large number of the books, discussed at the last meeting, have been donated to the Historical Society.

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:55 by Combs/St. Louis. M/C

Kathy Wilton
Secord Twp Clerk