March 1, 2021
The Bennington Township regular board meeting was called to order by Supervisor Lee Ash on March 1,
2021, 7:00pm, at the Township Hall.
Present: James Forsythe, Matthew Dutcher, Leonard Ash, Cody Baker, Donna Ash.
Forsythe moved to approve the agenda as printed. Second by L. Ash. Motion carried.
Dutcher moved to approve the minutes for the February 1, 2021 regular board meeting as printed.
Second by Forsythe. All board members in favor. Motion carried.
Forsythe moved to approve the Treasurer’s report as presented. Second by L. Ash. All board members in
favor. Motion carried.
Forsythe moved to pay bills as presented in the amount of $32,587.78. Second by L. Ash. All board
members in favor. Motion carried.
Public Comment: None
Board Reports:
Plan Comm – D. Ash – Recommend approval of one variance and reappointment of two board
members.
- L. Ash moved to concur with the Township Planning Commission and approve Variance
Application #PZBA21-002 for Toni Sherwood/Tielle Bell & Linda E. Beacom, property
#010-26-100-015-03. Second by Baker. All board members in favor. Motion carried.
- L. Ash moved to reappoint Dick Demerly and Frank Gregory to the Township Planning
Commission for a three year term expiring April 2024. Second by Forsythe. All board
members in favor. Motion carried.
Roads: L. Ash – Reviewed the 2021 potential road projects.
Old Business: None
New Business:
Fireworks Permit Application – Forsythe moved to approve the Application for fireworks Other Than
consumer or Low Impact for ACE Pyro/Jon Nash for Lake Manitou, Owosso, July 3, 2021 with a rain date
of July 5, 2021, 9:30pm-11:20pm. Second by Baker. All board members in favor. Motion carried.
Annual Junk Day – Due to COVID-19 the Township will not be providing the annual Spring Cleanup/Junk
Day this spring. The board will review again at a later date for an optional date.
2020-2021 Audit Contract – Forsythe moved to accept the contract from VMD & Associates for the 2020
– 2021 Audit at a cost not to exceed $5125.00. Second by Baker. All board members in favor. Motion
carried.
G&W’s Family Lawncare 2021 – Contract from last year extends to this year if the board was agreeable
to the service received last year. The board has no issues or complaints with service previously received
and will continue the contract for 2021.
Poverty Exemption Resolution – Forsythe moved to adopt a resolution for Poverty Exemption Income
Guidelines and Asset Test for 2021. Second by L. Ash. All board members in favor. Motion carried.
(Complete wording of resolution is available at the Township Hall.)
Property Transfer Fee Waiver Resolution – Dutcher moved to adopt a Resolution for Waiver of Penalty
and Interest for Untimely Filed Property Transfer Affidavits. Second by Baker. All board members in
favor. Motion carried. (Complete wording of resolution is available at the Township Hall.)
Hourly Employee Pay Increase – L. Ash moved to give a raise of $1.00 per hour to all hourly employees
at the Township to begin with the 2021 – 2022 fiscal year. Second by Baker. All board members in favor.
Motion carried.
New Property Use – Discussion of the use of the newly purchased property. Baker will contact local
agencies regarding obtaining wild flower seed to be planted on the tillable acres.
2021 – 2022 Budget Presentation –
General Fund - Revenues $645,962
Expenditures $608,975
Fire Fund - Revenues $137,815
Expenditures $122,500
Cemetery Fund - Revenues $ 610
Expenditures $ 100
Ambulance Fund - Revenues $ 72,250
Expenditures $ 72,250
SATA Fund Revenues $ 15,624
Expenditures $ 15,582
Forsythe moved to adjourn. Second by Baker. Motion carried.
Adjournment at 8:05pm.
The Bennington Township Budget Hearing was called to order by Supervisor Lee Ash on March 1, 2021,
8:05pm, at the Township Hall.
Present: James Forsythe, Matthew Dutcher, Leonard Ash, Cody Baker, Donna Ash.
Forsythe moved to dispense with regular meeting procedure and move to the business at hand. Second
by L. Ash. All board members in favor. Motion carried.
Public Comment: None
Forsythe moved to approve the 2021 – 2022 budget as presented. Second by Baker. All board members
in favor. Motion carried.
Forsythe moved to adjourn. Second by L. Ash. Motion carried.
Adjournment at 8:07pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Ash, Clerk