The Pipestone Township Board met November 12, 2007 at the Township Hall at 8:00pm. The meeting was called to order with the Pledge of Allegiance

Board members present were Hazen Harner, Alan Nimtz, Richard Skibbe, Robert Bishop and Doug Davis. Having sixteen guests present.

A motion made by Bishop, supported by Skibbe to accept the minutes of the October 8, 2007 Board Meeting as received prior to the meeting. MOTION CARRIED.

Skibbe, having deposits for the month of $90,213.66 filed treasurer’s report as read. Leaving a balance in the general fund of $112,638.75

Deputy Campbell from the Berrien County Sheriff Department presented a monthly Police Report for Pipestone Township. He discussed the report having forty written complaints, thirty-three tickets issued and eleven arrests in Pipestone Township

Mr. Tom Stiles from the Fire Department presented the incident summery report for the month of October. He stated there were thirty-two calls, eight in which were in Pipestone Twp. He than had a slide presentation on wild fires (Michigan Firewise Communities) goals to 1)protect lives and property 2)reduce cost to local gov’t 3) educate homeowners. to help understand wildfire behavior and to create a defense space. Stiles would like to see standards established and enforced for driveways in order for fire trucks to have access.

Nimtz will try to get the Drain Commissioner at the next meeting to explain the drain process and answer any other questions, tabled Drain Resolution till next meeting.

PA 116 agreement was sent to County Planning Commission, waiting for reply

Nimtz reviewed Election Results having 167 people voting in the November LMC Millage Election

Discussed complaints on Randy’s Recycling shredder. He is working on reducing the noise levels.

Mike Bell explained process of changing apartment complex on Brush Lake Road into Condominium The apartment complex currently has eight apartments, does not have to be rezoned, percent of common area to be designated to each individual (apartment) condominium parcel and any additional firewalls or building codes to be met. Motion made by Nimtz, supported by Bishop to approve the conversion from the apartment complex to condominium at 6656 Brush Lake Road MOTION CARRIED

Nimtz presented a cemetery lot buy back request for Edna Peck (deceased)/ Albert Hibner (son) Motion made by Nimtz, supported by Bishop to approve the Township buyback of the grave for the amount it was purchased for. MOTION CARRIED

Cal Bennett had a request from architect for reimbursement of Building Permit penalty for failure to get a building permit in a timely matter for a building on Camp Rosenthal. Motion made by Bishop, supported by Nimtz to deny the request to reimburse the penalty . MOTION CARRIED

Nancy Newman had Dar Sanders put a drain in to stop water coming into her house supposedly from the Fire Station for a cost of $1,600.00 would like reimbursement for the cost. To have Fire Board to address the issue

Hazen Harner reported on the Berrien County Road Commission Meeting, They are to apply chloride to gravel roads next year, replace signs as needed, remove trees that are a safety hazard as needed. seal coating cost are up from approximately $6,000 /mile to $9,000/mile. Approximately $41,000.00 to gravel Shanghai Road (8”)

A motion made by Nimtz, supported by Skibbe to have Landfill Passes for the year of 2008. One pass per property owner per year with the amount up to ($25.00) Twenty- Five dollars maximum. MOTION CARRIED

Nimtz presented a plan to extend the present meeting room into half of the other classroom. It would consist of removing the block wall which is a non-load bearing wall. Then build a wall down the center of the room, than making a door through the existing office on west side of building. cost of wall and door opening to be approximately $2,500.00. Remainder of room to eventually become office space which would be accessible only through front office. He stated with all regulations of having the correct number of voting booths, handicap booth, disabled voting terminal, ten foot barrier from tabulator plus seating area, room is overly tight. Also if in future to rent Hall out would make a nice room plus when holding large meetings (Clerk meetings and training, Planning commission etc) Nimtz also reviewed bid for replacing three exterior metal doors and one interior metal door approximately $525.00/door plus $520.00 Labor.

Motion made by Bishop, supported by Skibbe to approve the Pipestone Township/ Berrien County Information Systems agreements MOTION CARRIED

Chris Petty asked Temporary Dwelling requirements and Dwelling requirements for Pipestone Township

Collect Property Taxes at Shoreline Bank Eau Claire, December 14, 2007 (9:00am – 5:00pm)

Burning Permits – contact 461-6925

A motion made by Skibbe, supported by Bishop to approve monthly disbursements totaling $52,041.67. MOTION CARRIED

Jeff Brown-Sexton Wages & O/C , Mow-1,644.39, Marilyn Hart-Election Wage & Training-147.25, Debra Kamer-Election Wage-92.00, Lois Akright-Election Wage-24.00, Patricia Breyen-Election Wage-116.00, Patsy Kremers-Election Wage & Training-148.00, Lynn Wittmann-Assessor Salary & Assessment Salary-1,437.92, Indiana Mich Power-Twp Hall Electric-6.29, Trade Lines-Synopsis & Legal Notice-108.35, AT & T-Twp Phone-35.98, Landfill Mgt Co-Landfill Passes-341.00, Postmaster-Envelopes & Stamps-443.00, Berrien County Clerk’s Assoc-% of tabulator-110.00, Hagar Township-Election applications and affidavits-6.46, ES & S-Ink Cartridges-51.55, Albert Hibner-Cemetery Lot buy back-400.00, Mich Gas Utilities-Twp hall heat-61.00, BC Road Commission-Shanghai Road ditching-43,044.14, Chemical Shoreline-Fica Withholdings-6.52, Berrien Township Treas-September Fire Bill-3,817.82

With no further business to discuss, Supervisor Harner adjourned the meeting at 9:50pm

Submitted by: Alan Nimtz, Pipestone Twp Clerk