January 10, 2023, Regular Bushnell Township Board meeting was called to order at 6 pm at Bushnell Township Hall by Supervisor Christopher Smith with pledge of allegiance.
Present: Roll call: Supervisor Christopher Smith; Trustee Patrick Draper; Clerk Louise Belyou; Treasurer Karron Bliss; Trustee Mike Fitzgerald; Absent: None Others present: Dave Eberle, Attorney; Benton (Comm Input Org rep); Tanner Smith; Marlene Line;
Motion by Fitzgerald, support by Draper to approve meeting agenda with 2 additions. Motion carried.
Motion by Bliss, support by Fitzgerald to correct Nov.9, minutes from 'IRA account' to 'Perpetual Care CD account'.Carried. Motion Draper, support Fitzgerald accept corrected minutes Nov.9, reg. mtg.Carried.
Motion Fitzgerald, support Draper approve pay't $9,498.82 invoices paid 11/1/22 – 12/31/22. Carried. Treas. reported Perpetual Care CD account has been transferred to a Sidney State Bank savings account.
Motion by Draper, support by Fitzgerald to accept treasurer's report with $199,389.07 balance. Carried.
Motion by Fitzgerald, support by Draper to approve amendment of budget amounts in regard to Town Hall from $600 to $1,250 and Bennett Park from $2,500 to $2,700. Motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT: Benton from Committee Input Org. thanked the Board for the work we do. After discussion, motion by Fitzgerald, support by Draper to approve authorizing an amount of $14.00 per hour for a Clerk or Treasurer deputy, as needed. Details to be addressed at a later time in regard to possible duties and cap of hours available for use. Motion carried.
After discussion, motion by Draper, support by Fitzgerald to approve the Engineering Request for Qualifications, as amended. Motion carried.
Motion by Draper, support by Fitzgerald to approve the Bloom Sluggett PC Conflict Waiver between Bushnell and Evergreen Townships regarding Fire Authority representation as att'y for both twps. Carried.
Motion by Fitzgerald, support by Draper to approve Karron Bliss as voting member of Bushnell Township for the current Fire Association. Motion carried. Supervisor apprised Board of progress of Fire Authority.
By General Agreement and supported by Roll Call Vote, the annual resolutions for Board of Review were accepted as follows:
RESOLUTION TO ADOPT TAXPAYERS & NON-RESIDENT TAXPAYERS TO PROTEST IN WRITING BY LETTER OR EMAIL FOR BOARD OF REVIEW
AYES: P. Draper, M. Fitzgerald, K. Bliss, L. Belyou, C. Smith NAYS: None ABSENT: None
RESOLUTION TO ADOPT ALTERNATE START DATES FOR MARCH 2023, JULY 2023 AND DECEMBER 2023 BOARD OF REVIEW
AYES: P. Draper, M. Fitzgerald, K. Bliss, L. Belyou, C. Smith NAYS: None ABSENT: None
TOWNSHIP/HOUSEHOLD INCOME & ASSET STANDARDS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A POVERTY EXEMPTION
AYES: P. Draper, M. Fitzgerald, K. Bliss, L. Belyou, C. Smith NAYS: None ABSENT: None
RESOLUTION TO ADOPT PARTIAL POVERTY EXEMPTION GUIDELINES
AYES: P. Draper, M. Fitzgerald, K. Bliss, L. Belyou, C. Smith NAYS: None ABSENT: None Board salaries were discussed. Motion by Bliss, support by Fitzgerald to change annual salaries – Supervisor's from $6,000 to $6,480; Clerk's from $9,000 to $9,720; Treasurer's from $9,200 to $9,936; and Trustees' and special meetings from $100 to $108 per meeting. Motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
After discussion of Moratorium, a motion was made by Bliss, support by Fitzgerald to adopt Ordinance 011023, AN ORDINANCE TO IMPOSE A MORATORIUM ON THE CONSTRUCTION
AND OPERATION OF OFFSITE WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS, WIND ENERGY FACILITIES, AND
MET TOWERS. Motion carried.
AYES: P. Draper, M. Fitzgerald, K. Bliss, L. Belyou, C. Smith NAYS: None ABSENT: None
Motion by Fitzgerald, support by Draper to adjourn. Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted, Louise Belyou, Clerk