January 6, 2003 Maidencreek Reorganization and Regular Business Meeting:
Reorganization:
The reorganization meeting presented a few changes in personnel. Regina Sanders, the township's veteran treasurer and secretary, has entered retirement. Diane Hollenbach was appointed as Regina's replacement. Julie Geistweit was appointed as receptionist. Julie replaces Diane in the receptionist position.
Two Meetings:
We decided to keep the meeting on the second Thursday, and to have another business meeting on the third Thursday to mop up agenda items not addresses at the first meeting. It became clear that with the two meetings this January that we were able to spend more time on nagging issues of enforcement of ordinances. With meetings ending so late many times these important matters were left hanging. It is our plan to get the Engineer's business out of the way at the first meeting to minimize professional costs.
Public Comment:
One resident from Spirit Court was present and said the double yellow lines may have helped the speeding a little, and the sign is appreciated, but the most effective measure has been our officer writing a few tickets. Hopefully, this can continue.
Recycling:
Public comment also touched on recycling. The initial cost is $55.00 per year. This figure includes start up costs. The recycling will generate some income that can be used to lower next year's figure. We are receiving comments that the recycling should be combined with the trash. The board did ask the community about this option in the summer newsletter which was mailed to every household. That included the following presentation:
Pro:
Fewer Trucks will be on our roads, giving less wear and tear.
Economy of scale should give us lower cost.
Con:
You will no longer have the freedom to choose your trash hauler.
Smaller haulers will be harmed if the Township goes with only one or two haulers for the entire community.
The response from you, the community, was an unambiguous NO. I am reposting the table here:
|
Do you favor including trash pick up with mandatory recycling? |
|
|
YES |
37 |
|
NO |
119 |
|
Sheets Received not marked YES or NO |
3 |
It is clear that we do not want trash included. The prevailing opinion was that we prefer to pay the fee in order to keep the freedom to choose our own trash hauler. In many cases, the cost of freedom has been paid in blood. In this case, the cost is $55.00.
Weaver's Bike Shop:
The plans were approved and signed. We look forward to welcoming this business to our community.
The switch to Quick Books:
We are getting good reports about the switch to Quick Books. It seems the system will increase efficiency in the office, and perhaps allow the staff to do some chores that were previously contracted out.
paid for by Roy Timpe