HIGHLIGHTS  of  CEDAR CREEK TOWNSHIP

REGULAR BOARD MEETING of  JANUARY 6, 2009:

by  Joseph A. Fuscone, Jr.,  attendee.

A special meeting started an hour early, at 5:30 pm,  to discuss and vote on the appointment of  a new Township Clerk after special meeting of December 30, 2008, during which all candidates were interviewed by board members.  

Larry Rogers, Supervisor, told the board members to get the list of candidates down to the best two.  The board members were split.   Larry Rogers and Keith Stutzman were in favor of appointing Catherine Gouge,  and Mary Hallett and Jean Schnitker were in favor of appointing Valerie Johnson.  

Catherine Gouge was asked a lot of questions, primarily by Jean Schnitker, who had not called any candidates.  Her primary questions  concerned  Ms. Gouge’s  current employment and availability to the township.   Catherine Gouge explained how her current situation made it possible for her to be available to the  township whenever necessary.   Larry Rogers and Keith Stutzman had already explained that they had taken the time to call candidates at home with questions.  

When the final vote was taken,  Mary Hallett voted for Valerie Johnson, but  Larry Rogers,  Keith Stutzman, and Jean Schnitker  voted for Catherine Gouge.  Cathy Gouge is the new Township Clerk.

During the regular meeting:

1.  The board voted to give Cemetery Sexton, Denise Carlson a key to the Township Hall.

2.  The building inspector/blight enforcement officer was not present.  Barbara and JoAnn of the Planning Commission were attending a Training session.  The Zoning Administrator reported on the Master Plan.  Fire Chief Kelly was absent, but his Lieutenant gave a report on 4 runs in the past month.

3.  Since the new insurance company offered a $500/year discount  if the township had an employee handbook,  the previous Clerk had already submitted it to the attorney for review.  Mary Hallett said she didn’t bring the sample handbooks with her to the meeting, so the decision was postponed.  

4.  There will be a Dog Clinic at the Township Hall for one hour, between 1:00 – 2:00 pm on Feb. 7, 2009, to provide free shots for township dogs.

*5.  There was a discussion about the ADT Security System.  Larry Rogers asked if we really needed it to protect the Township Hall.  Mary Hallett said she didn’t think it was needed.  The board voted not to renew the contract this year. 

6.   Mary said there was a problem with one of the township office computers that was pointed out by the woman with the accounting firm, who suggested they get a new computer or get the one they have repaired–complained it “locks up”  and she was afraid the township information would be lost.   It was decided to get quote on prices to update the computer.

7.   The township was supposed to pay its share of the bill for repair of a road, but the bill was more than was expected.  Since Larry Rogers is also on the County Road Commission, he offered to speak to the group to try to re-negotiate CCT’s costs.

8.   The board voted to keep Jim Leggett, Wendy Johnson, Kim Fisher, and Jeff Norman on the Board of Review.  At the next meeting, it will be decided which of them will be the alternate.

9.  There were many comments from the residents in attendance as well as from the board, but I can’t remember them all.