Minutes:
FAIRGROVE VILLAGE COUNCIL
COUNCIL MINUTES
May 6, 2013
PRESENT: T. Wassa, J. Gehrls, T. Humpert, D. Maguire, B. Phelps
ABSENT: (two vacant)
EMPLOYEES: B. Ahrens, M. Couture, D. Englehart, D. Young
VISITORS: B. Hall, L. Hall, F. Young, 2 others
Council meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Wassa.
Phelps/Gehrls motioned to approve the minutes from the April 1, 2013 council meeting; all in favor, motion carried.
Gehrls/Maguire motioned to approve the minutes from the April 4, 2013 special council meeting; all in favor, motion carried.
AUDIENCE RECOGNITION – B. Hall discussed his basement flooding problem. He stated it came up through drain, shower, and toilet, and has happened twice since in 23 years he’s lived there. T. Wassa and D. Englehart stated that a storm water assessment was proposed approximately 15 years ago, but the village residents opposed it. L. Hall and B. Hall discussed speeders on Shreeves Road. T. Wassa recommended contacting the county sheriff and township to report it because police coverage is available through the township.
DEPARTMENT/COMMITTEE REPORTS
Fire – D. Young discussed one accident response in April in which ladders were used to assist a victim in the ditch. D. Young will schedule a meeting for the fire board after next week and advise the date and time when it is set. D. Young recently attended the Homeland Security Conference and discussed what he learned about foreign intruders hacking state and other websites being a big problem and received training for active intruders in school classrooms. Extra lights for the new tanker to increase visibility safety have been purchased at a discount from the City of Wyandotte. He also learned about new product lines that would be good ideas for the future on the Frontline Services FDIC bus trip.
Police – No Report
DPW – D. Englehart stated brush pickup was May 6th from 8am – 2pm, but that not a lot of brush was picked up this year. Discussion held regarding the bid received from Kappen to cut down 3 trees and remove dead wood from 6 other trees.
Maguire/Phelps motioned to approve Kappen’s bid with the addition of 2 more trees for approximately $3375; all in favor, motion carried.
A new roof is needed on the municipal building – no bids received yet, but D. Englehart will get some and advise at the next meeting. It has been 17 years since it was done last. Discussion held about replacing the hall’s refrigerator that no longer works.
Humpert/Gehrls motioned to buy a new refrigerator from Sears for approximately $429.99; all in favor, motion carried.
Discussion held regarding bids received for constructing a building to house utilities from the old school after demolition is completed – tabled for special meeting when more information becomes available.
Clerk’s Items – Two seats remain vacant on the council. A Planning Committee meeting needs to be scheduled. D. Maguire stated that M. Pike would like to be replaced on the Planning Committee, if possible.
CORRESPONDENCE – Tuscola County Email – Informational Meeting concerning Detroit Edison payments for downed wire fire runs will be held on May 24, 2013 – 11:00 am at the Almer Township Hall, 1310 Cameron Road.
OLD BUSINESS
Tire Collection – Discussion held about feasibility of collecting tires with the new size restrictions and associated fees that were implemented this year.
Humpert/Gehrls motioned to not participate in tire collection this year; 4 in favor – 1 against, motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Storm Water/Sewer – Discussion held about standing water and sump pump complaints received from some residents. A storm water project was proposed in 1998 for approximately 1.2 million, but the residents opposed the proposed assessment to fund the project. Village of Fairgrove sewer is not a combined system, and one problem is many residents have their sump pumps hooked up to discharge into the sanitary sewer so that the sewer system becomes overloaded in heavy rains. A DPW committee meeting will be held on Monday, May 13, 2013 at 1:00pm to discuss and come up with ideas to enforce the ordinance on file for illegal sump pump connections, as well as to explore options for moving forward with a storm water project.
FINANCES
Humpert/Gehrls motioned to approve April disbursements totaling approximately $42,427.26; all in favor, motion carried.
As there was no other business, meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Melissa Couture
Fairgrove Village Clerk
| 