The Bennington Township regular board meeting was called to order by Supervisor Lee Ash on October 5, 2009, 7:00pm, at the Bennington Township Hall.

 

Present: Jim Forsythe, Cindy Garber, Lee Ash, Nancy Zdunic, Donna Ash.

Forsythe moved to approve the agenda with the addition request from Trustee Zdunic about garage sales and office help compensation.  Second by L. Ash.  Motion carried.

 

Forsythe moved to approve the minutes for September 8, 2009 regular board meeting as printed.  Second by Garber.  Roll call vote: All board members in favor.  Motion carried.

 

D. Ash moved to approve the Treasurer’s report as presented.  Second by L. Ash.  Roll call vote:  All board members in favor.  Motion carried.

 

Zdunic moved to approve the bills as presented except the payment to Beth Dutcher.  Motion died for the lack of a second.  L. Ash moved to pay bills as presented in the amount of $22,834.40.  Second by Garber.  Roll call vote: Garber- yes, Forsythe- yes, L. Ash- yes, Zdunic- no, D. Ash- yes.  Motion carried.

 

Comments form the floor:

H. Sparks- Co. Comm. Update.

 

Jeff Zdunic- Stated that he lives on M - 52 in a section where it is hilly, kitty corner form a house where there have been 8 garage sales this year.  His driveway is used as a parking lot for the garage sale.  All of the neighbors have complained about the traffic.  An ambulance had to stop because there was no where for the traffic to go because both sides of the road had parked cars for the garage sale.  J. Zdunic believes that the County Zoning Ordinance is not being enforced and would like the Township to look into an ordinance to regulate garage sales.  Zdunic presented the board with written information regarding the issues.  Supervisor L. Ash stated that he has called the complaints into County Zoning and tickets were issued for the Sheriffs’s Department to service, however there is no confirmation at this time as to whether the tickets have been served.

 

Ron DeHass- Stated that the Township runs their meetings well.  He is in support of the filtering of all the computers at the library.  He would like to applaud Bev Adcock, Township Representative, for her work on the Library Board.  He stated that there were about 50 people from the Township at the Library meeting  who supported the filtering of all computers.  He has spoke with about 80 people within the Township most of whom were supportive of filtering all computers. 

 

Jeanne DeHass- Stated that they came late to the last Township meeting and were allowed to comment even though the time for public comment had passed.  She would like the community to know that they appreciate the work the Township does.

 

Frank Gregory- Stated he was the previous Township Library Board Representative for about 8 years.  Years ago there was a vote to filter computers.  At that time black screens were put in place to block the view.  He stated he voted no to the filtering because it was not restrictive enough.  He would like to know where were all these people in the last 8 years.  He would like to take exception  to the treatment to Steve Flayer.  When the board interviewed for the Director position, Flayer was the only one who applied that was in favor of filters.  He also took exception  to the letter written by Bev Adcock which singled out men when women are also involved.

 

Mary Lupu- Stated her daughter worked at the library for two years.  She was a page who put men on the computer.  If the volume was turned up, she could hear the porn.  She had to work until 9:00pm and was told not to leave alone.  She was stalked by a man at the library.  She had to hide behind a desk.  Flayer (Director) and the police said there was nothing they could do.  Flayer did not ask the man to leave.  Her daughter resigned over the issue.  Lupu stated that Flayer is protecting the men who watch porn and not our children. 

 

Robert Adcock- Stated he was a parent of a young man who worked at the library for four years.  Stated that he was unaware that there was porn at the library.  His son did not make an issue of it to his parents.  The library treated him well, willing to work around sports.  He stated that a majority of people are in favor of filtering.  He asked how the board stood.  D. Ash stated that the Township Board has not taken an official stand on the issue.  Mr. Adock asked when the board would do so.  L. Ash stated that the board was currently being educated on the issue. 

 

Shawna Cody- Stated that the real issue is not taking away rights.  The fear is that people will not be able to research some things.  People need to have education that everything can be viewed except intercourse.  Stated that we cannot blame the director or the representative, our only concern should be our children.

 

Lori Buckel- Stated that the library is 100% in compliance with the State law.  Computers for age 18 and older are on the second floor.  Untangle is the current filter being used.  There have been issues with this filter.  There is currently another company whose filter is being tested.  This is a high emotion issue.  She read that the vast majority would like to see computers filtered.  She stated that the population of Shiawassee County is approximately 70,000 people.  The library serves a certain district.  To say that a vast majority, anyone can access the computers, you do not have to be a part of the membership area, this is not a vast majority of the population. 

 

Fred Herring- Stated he has worked in the public schools.  All of the computers have filters at school and he expected the same at the public library.  Stated that you must outweigh good vs. bad and the good must outweigh bad or the school would not be filtered.  Stated we are already attracting people from elsewhere because they cannot access somewhere else.

 

Nancy Zdunic- Stated she has been going to the public library often of late to see what is taking place.  She has not seen anyone on the two computers. Wanted to know when these people where using the computers.  Bev Adcock stated at night.  Zdunic stated maybe we should filter more at night. 

 

Jeanne DeHass- Stated we have a 10 year old who has been exposed and will probably need counseling in her future because of it.  D. Ash stated that she was ashamed of both sides for continually placing the girls identity in publications. 

 

Jeff Zdunic- Stated that any filter created today will be broken tomorrow. 

 

Robert Adcock- Stated that he presented an editorial to the paper which was not printed.  The paper can choose which ones it prints.

 

Ron DeHass- Stated that the library is a hostile work place for men and women.  The only bathroom is in the children’s library and that is where the men go.  If there is a lawsuit the Township will pay the price in the form of taxes.

 

Lori Buckel- Stated that the computers’ screens are not visible.  The children’s computers are on the lower level.  The grandmother brought her granddaughter to the library.  She set her up in the lower level.  The grandmother went upstairs to use the computer.  The child went upstairs to find grandma in the upper level. 

 

Sarah Thomas- Stated that sometimes you do not choose your battles they choose you.  The library may be in compliance with the law but it does not say they could not filter.  There has been no internet policy.  We cannot always protect our kids but we will try.  If we can protect them we should.  Why do we want it in the library in the first place.  We need to take a stand.  If we do not take a stand then we are saying we are OK with it.  This is not taking away peoples rights.  Porn is offensive to a lot of people.  If it is offensive, we need to get it out. 

 

Board Reports

Library- Bev Adcock- Library Board Update, Minutes for September 23, 2009 on file. 

 

Plan Comm- D. Ash- Recommended one land division for approval.  L. Ash moved to concur with the Planning Commission and approve one land division for Marjorie Rinas on parent parcel #78-101-16-200-005.  Second by Forsythe.  Roll call vote: All board members in favor.  Motion carried.  Reviewed the preliminary map form FEMA outlining the flood plan for the Maple River.

 

Roads- L.Ash- All the 2009 projects are complete.

 

Web Page- Forsythe- Update on file.

Unfinished Business:

Driveway off Brewer Rd. to the Hall- L. Ash will check into the cost of a driveway and perhaps have some layouts drawn up for the area. 

New Business:

Snow Plow Bids- Four bids were received.  Twin Oaks Mowing- $68/plow, $85/salt app, $75/hr to plow cemetery.  Sunburst Gardens- $70/plow, $70/Salt app.  Forever Green- $100/plow, $100/salt app.  Jerry Gutting $70/plow, $80/salt app.   Zdunic moved to accept the bid from Twin Oaks Mowing at a cost of $68 per plow at hall and $85 per salt application upon request.  Second by L. Ash.  Roll call vote: Forsythe- yes, Zdunic- yes, D. Ash- no, L. Ash- no, Garber- no.   Forsythe moved to table the snow plow bids for more information regarding plowing of cemeteries.  Second by D. Ash.  Roll call vote: All board members in favor.  Motion carried.

 

Parking Lot Repair- Three bids were received. L. Bennett- North side of lot @$4,295.00, South side of lot @ $10,480.86.  R.H. Flemming- North side @ $4,851.74, South side @ $10,963.41.  Collard’s Masonry & Concrete- North side @ $3,445.00, South  side @ $7,819.50.  Forsythe moved to accept the bid from L. Bennett at a total cost of $14,775.86 for labor and material to remove and replace approximately 3430 sq. feet of 6" concrete with the addition of L.Ash adding a base of sand under concrete with removal of clay if necessary.  Second by Garber.   Zdunic moved to amend the main motion by striking out the words with the addition of L. Ash adding a base of sand under concrete with removal of clay if necessary and adding the words sand addition and removal of clay to be done at price bid.  Second by Forsythe.  Roll call vote on amendment: All board members in favor.  Amendment carried.  Roll call vote on main motion as amended: All board members in favor.  Main motion as amended carried.   

 

Road Bills- Chipseal Grand River from M -52 to Cook bid at $57,060, billed at $50,518.11.  Chipseal Brewer from M -52 west to Township line bid at $50,940.00 billed at $47,096.02.  Chipseal Morrice from Hibbard to Miller bid at $112,140.00, billed at $99,400.64.  Forsythe moved to pay road bills as presented as funds are available.  Second by Garber.  Roll call vote: All board members in favor.  Motion carried.   

 

1% Admin Fee- Zdunic moved to collect a 1% administration fee for the 2009 winter tax billing.  Second by Garber.  Roll call vote: All board members in favor.  Motion carried.

 

Newsletter- Discussion as to the Township publishing an annual newsletter.

 

MTA Annual- Zdunic moved to pay for the Board members to attend the MTA County Annual on November 17, 2009 at a cost of $10.50 each.  Second by Forsythe.  Roll call vote: All board members in favor.