The meeting was called to order at 1:13 pm. All Board members were in attendance, along with the Clerk and 3 residents. 

Chairman Peterson started by explaining that the purpose of the meeting is to 1) review the Feltmann cartway petition, to begin setting for setting the 2020 budgets and the 2021 levy, and to look at management goals for 2020.

The Feltmann cartway petition was received on December 11, 2019. The petition form was reviewed and found to have a clerical error. Peterson asked that a corrected version be signed by the petitioner. The Clerk had prepared a new form and the petitioner agreed to sign. Peterson suggested setting a tentative cartway hearing date for Thursday February 20, 2020 at 9 am and got agreement from those present.

Resolution 2019-10 was presented and read by the Chair. The resolution sets bond or other security to cover costs of the cartway proceedings be posted by petitioner before the Board would take action on the petition. Peterson noted that the Township may not spend funds on establishing a cartway and that all costs are the responsibility of the petitioner. Discussion of the form and amounts of the security required took place. The petitioner, Jeffrey Feltmann, indicated that he understood and agreed with the terms as defined in the resolution. Allison Royce noted that the petition form only lists the Idyllwood Homeowners Association, but there are other owners & occupants who would be affected by the cartway and thus are entitled to be notified and compensated. The Clerk noted that a letter was received from counsel representing the Idyllwood Homeowners Association making the case that the route selected by the petitioner was more burdensome than other routes available and that it is the responsibility of the Town Board to select the most appropriate route to give the petitioner access. Motion by Bilek, second by Ommen to adopt Resolution 2019-10 with costs estimated at $5,000 & damages estimated at $25,000 and with the forms of acceptable security inserted. Carried unanimously.

The Clerk presented financial reports showing activity in 2019 and comparisons of previous years’ levy amounts and expenditures. Peterson reported on some items that affected the 2019 financials and recounted planned projects for 2020 & 2021. 

A discussion occurred regarding current fund balances, proper allocation of receipts & disbursements by fund, effect of employee wages increases, tax capacity, and trends that could affect future budgets. Some adjustments of fund budgets are warranted due to proposed changes in relief association benefit level. Peterson explained some analysis he had done suggesting a plan to catch up with surrounding departments on benefit level and the funding required to meet relief association obligations given those increased benefit levels.

The Clerk gave a run down of the financial reports provided and reported on work still underway to prepare an expanded proposed budget worksheet for each fund. Peterson asked the Board members to review the reports especially the ones for funds that relate to their assigned areas and be prepared to provide guidance on setting budgets. 

Amounts will be reviewed at future meetings to set final 2020 budgets and to set a proposed 2021 levy to be finalized and approved at the Township Annual Meeting on March 10, 2020.

There being no further business to conduct, the meeting adjourned at 2:45 pm.

John Plein, Clerk-Treasurer

January 11, 2020