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Township Board Meeting Minutes

Inwood Township Meeting Minutes

For May 15th, 2019 submitted on June 19th, 2019

Pledge of allegiance was said

Meeting was called to order at 7 P.M. by Supervisor Kelly Silkworth.

Board members present:  Cindy Watchorn, Bonnie Elliot, Bryan Landis, Kelly Silkworth, and Sara Roberts.

Acceptance of previous meeting minutes presented by Clerk Sara Roberts. Motion B. Elliott Support B. Landis AIF M/C

Accepted the financial report as presented by Treasurer. Motion B. Landis Support B. Elliott AIF M/C

New Business

-County Commissioner Craig Reiter spoke about dispensaries and the confusion on medical marijuana and the differences between medical, recreational, and being a caregiver. Currently you are allowed to have 2.5 oz of medical on you and 10 oz in your home, along with twelve plants. It is still illegal to sell. The federal government still considers marijuana an illegal substance.

If you already have a medical marijuana license, the application for recreational marijuana will be offered to those individuals first. If you don’t have a license then you will be pushed to the bottom of the list for acquiring a recreational marijuana license.

For dispensaries in Michigan there is a 10% tax on purchasing marijuana. Out of the tax money made 35% goes to schools, 35% to roads, 15% to townships, and 15% to counties. Most of the money made off of dispensaries will be made in the beginning, compared to when more people start getting into the business.

Township Boards have the choice to opt in or out for medical dispensaries and can do so at any time over the years. They can also choose how many dispensaries are allowed in the township. Counties do not have a choice of opting in or out, only townships or municipalities. Having a dispensary will generate more income, but also additional jobs within law enforcement and inspections. The rules for dispensaries should be issued by July, if not no later than December 6th. All licensing is done through the state. There are currently no dispensaries in Schoolcraft County.

-John Pistulka spoke from the Green Door. They already have a dispensary downs state and thinks one dispensary would be sufficient in the Inwood Township area. Multiple dispensaries wouldn’t make sense right now, but all depends on the demand in the future. All of this is still so new (voted in in November). Everyone is afraid of the unknown, but encourages people to not be afraid to ask questions.

-Medical Green Inc (MGI) has a medical marijuana grow operation in Mueller Township and is fully licensed. They like the idea of keeping jobs local inside of our county to help the economy. The owner of MGI, Ray, started the business in California, then to Colorado. The business created a lot of jobs, and helped many schools from the tax money.

The plants that are grown come from local caregivers and are tested before transporting for sale. Having a caregiver’s license gives exception for transporting the product to wherever it needs to go. The standards are the same for everyone.

The board’s decision on opting in or out is TABLED until July’s meeting.

-Notice of resignation of Township Clerk and Deputy Clerk. Board will be taking letters of intent. New clerk(s) will be voted on at June’s meeting. Motion B. Landis Support C. Watchorn AIF M/C

-Reminder of Spring Cleanup – dated for June 17th-June 22nd.

-Barking dog ordinance/complaints TABLED until June’s meeting

-Fire truck tanker cost cannot be any less than $185,000 due to receiving a grant, $50,000 from USDA and $10,000 from Sault Tribe. Fire Department has $20,000 to put toward the purchase along with the $30,000 from the Board. That leaves a remaining balance of $75,000. Instead of taking out a loan, there is mention of paying off the balance out of the budget – unknown what account. Taking bids on a new tanker will be advertised in the paper. TABLED

-Lawn care bid from Jean Anderson received. Some increase for the town hall and the playground from last year’s bid. Proposing $150 for the town hall, $25 for the playground, $225 for the cemetery, $50 for old cemetery, $20 for old hall/Fire Department, and $50 for the ball field (as needed). Motion C. Watchorn Support B. Landis AIF M/C

-Chlorine for the roads cost $8,000 through company from downstate, and less than $4,000 through Road Commission. The company from downstate has higher constitute, but less convenient. This year it will be easier to get the chlorine from Road Commission. If there are any spots that need more chlorine they can get another application as needed. Road Commission only charges for the brine, not the delivery. Motion to go with R.C. B. Landis Support B. Elliott AIF M/C

-Road Commission engineer suggests asphalt to fix Mintonye Rd problem, gravel will not work. They will build spill ways along with putting in asphalt. Looking at $45,432.63 for the project for it to last 25+ years. TABLED until road account is checked.

FD/EMS

F.D. – Received $500 from Cloverland for GO lights for the brush truck and maybe new tanker. Waiting to hear back from other grants that were applied for. Bids for trucks only good for 30 days.

Motion to accept USDA grant B. Landis Support K. Silkworth AIF M/C

Thanks to Kelly Silkworth and Cindy Swayer for completing grant applications.

EMS received $500 grant from Cloverland. Monitor in the ambulance is outdated. Looking for more grants to help with cost of a new one. Can be upwards of $7,000.

Correspondence

N/A

Public Comment

Ordinance decision on barking dogs to be decided at June’s meeting. Will be discussing pros and cons of an ordinance.

Payment of Outstanding Bills

Payment of outstanding bills in the amount of $28,394.84 and deposits of $1,480.13. Motion to accept. C. Watchorn Support S. Roberts AIF M/C

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:34PM was made by B. Landis support C. Watchorn AIF M/C

Others present for the regular meeting at the Inwood Township hall were: Ed Rondeau, John Pistulka, Forest Hedglin, Ray & Monique Lequerique, Bert Chandler, Don & Dorothy Rochefort, Keith & Mary Rochefort, Terry & Sandy Brooks, Kim Rochefort, Jean Frankovich, Jordan Farmer, Jan Carley, Craig Reiter, Cindy Swayer, Bill Anderson, Jami Benard, and Troy Herro.


Submitted by Sara Roberts, Inwood Township Clerk                 
Approved on June 19th, 2019