By Bruce Rolfe
With a large chunk of unused American Rescue Plan Act funds remaining, the Climax Township Board approved three large expense purchases using ARPA funds and started the process for a large capital purchase as well at its regular meeting April 9.
Climax Township received $184,166.89 in ARPA funds. Clerk Marcia Lewis said $37,000 was issued to the Climax Township Fire Department, with $777.28 remaining.
The Township Board approved a proposal of $27,600 from Excel Roof Systems to replace the entire roof on the township hall; an estimate of $18,725 from Burkett Signs for a digital sign that will be placed outside the township hall; and a quote of $10,872.00 from Bartholomew Heating for a furnace and air conditioning unit for the meeting room addition at the township hall, with all money coming from ARPA funds.
Lewis said that leaves $90,747.17 in ARPA funds.
The Climax Township Board also started the process to purchase a new rescue vehicle for the fire department.
After Climax Township Fire Chief Scott Smith presented a quote for a 2024 F-550, 4-door rescue vehicle that would be built to specs offered by the Climax Township Fire Department for approximately $150,000 at the regular March 19 Climax Township meeting and the board did not make a decision, another option was proposed at the township board’s April 9 regular meeting and was approved.
Following more then a half hour discussion, the township board approved by a 4-1 margin (Clerk Marcia Lewis voted no) a letter of intent to purchase just a 2024 F-550, 4-door, XL fire truck chassis for $70,145 from Longhammer Ford of Owosso if ordered by April 15, contingent on a fire millage proposal passing in an August election. The money for the truck chassis will come from the general fund.
The Township will face an additional $74,430 cost for T-Line Emergency Vehicles in Grand Ledge to instal the body, tank, pump and warning package.
The new rescue truck will replace 1451 that is 12 years old. The old 1451 rescue truck will be converted into a grass fire fighting rig.
The Township Board approved a motion to pay off the High Point Community Bank loan early at a special meeting March 27 for the new fire engine that was purchased in 2019 to save approximately $15,000 in interest that the township could utilize on another vehicle moving forward.
The Township Fire Department will continue to pay the township $1,729.23 per month until the money the township used to pay off the new fire engine is paid back.
New Roof, Heating and Air Conditioning Units, Digital Sign Purchased
As noted above, the township board approved a proposal of $27,600 from Excel Roof Systems to replace the entire roof on the township hall. There is a 20-year warranty on the roof.
Trustee Richard Thierjung contacted three vendors. The other estimates were for $34,155.86 and $24,636.
Besides the purchase of a new furnace and air conditioning unit for the meeting room for $10,872 noted above, the board approved a quote from Bartholomew Heating for $12,260.00 for a furnace and air conditioning unit for the main area of the township hall, however funding will come out of the general fund.
The approved quote for $18,725 from Burkett Signs is for building the sign, installation and training staff how to use the digital sign. The sign 60” x 36” digital sign will be the same size as the current notice board and will be attached to the building in the same location of the current board the township notices and announcements are placed in.
Fire Millage Renewal Ballot Language for August Election Approved; Road Millage Proposal Expected in November
The Township unanimously approved a resolution to adopt the Fire Millage renewal ballot language to send to the attorney. The renewal will be for 1.5 mills for the August, 2024 election.
The Township plans to ask for a road millage renewal in the November, 2024 election.
Head Stone Cleanup Project in Gilson Cemetery Approved
John Simmons, a 1970 graduate of Climax-Scotts High School, asked and received permission to clean family head stones in Gilson Cemetery.
Simmons has ambitions to perform head stone cleaning on an extensive number of family markers in Gilson Cemetery and if possible he may be able to clean other head stones in the cemetery.
Simmons said he has discovered just in the last few years erosion that has taken place on the markers has been pretty visible. He said build up comes faster, with some lettering no longer visible.
Simmons said he uses Ivory soap and water and a wire brush. After rinsing with water he uses Wet and Forget. The product is applied and over time the debris slowly disappears with rain and the wind. This works for about two years.
In 2008-2012 Simmons assisted his late mother Phyllis, who was the Township Supervisor, and the Township board with a presentation Memorial Day to recognize local veterans.
In other items covered at the April 9 meeting:
• Climax Township Supervisor Trent Piper informed the board installation of the Columbarium in Harrison Cemetery will not take place in the spring but will be closer to the summer months.
• The Township Board adopted the Kalamazoo County Emergency Management Mitigation Plan that secures state funding if the township has to use its own resources in the event of a disaster.
• Climax Fire Chief Scott Smith said the Climax Township Fire Department responded to 18 calls for service for March.
• The Board unanimously approved the application of Jerry Carr to join the local fire department.
• Township Treasurer Steve Walman noted that of the $3.2 million the township collected in taxes, the township kept approximately $300,000 ($100,000 by the township, $100,000, from the fire millage and $100,000 from the road millage).
• The Township is expected to join the Flood Enhanced Insurance Program in the future. Clerk Marcia Lewis said because it was determined by FEMA some areas in the township are in a high risk category for flooding, if the township does not join the insurance program, flood insurance would not be available to township residents.
• The Spring Clean-up date will be July 13 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. The dumpster will be located in the Intermediate School parking lot.
The Township Board unanimously approved a price of $721 from Best Way Disposal for a 30-yard container to use at the Spring Clean-up. Anything over 8 tons will cost an additional $50 per ton.
• The Township Board will participate in the Memorial Day Parade.
With a large chunk of unused American Rescue Plan Act funds remaining, the Climax Township Board approved three large expense purchases using ARPA funds and started the process for a large capital purchase as well at its regular meeting April 9.
Climax Township received $184,166.89 in ARPA funds. Clerk Marcia Lewis said $37,000 was issued to the Climax Township Fire Department, with $777.28 remaining.
The Township Board approved a proposal of $27,600 from Excel Roof Systems to replace the entire roof on the township hall; an estimate of $18,725 from Burkett Signs for a digital sign that will be placed outside the township hall; and a quote of $10,872.00 from Bartholomew Heating for a furnace and air conditioning unit for the meeting room addition at the township hall, with all money coming from ARPA funds.
Lewis said that leaves $90,747.17 in ARPA funds.
The Climax Township Board also started the process to purchase a new rescue vehicle for the fire department.
After Climax Township Fire Chief Scott Smith presented a quote for a 2024 F-550, 4-door rescue vehicle that would be built to specs offered by the Climax Township Fire Department for approximately $150,000 at the regular March 19 Climax Township meeting and the board did not make a decision, another option was proposed at the township board’s April 9 regular meeting and was approved.
Following more then a half hour discussion, the township board approved by a 4-1 margin (Clerk Marcia Lewis voted no) a letter of intent to purchase just a 2024 F-550, 4-door, XL fire truck chassis for $70,145 from Longhammer Ford of Owosso if ordered by April 15, contingent on a fire millage proposal passing in an August election. The money for the truck chassis will come from the general fund.
The Township will face an additional $74,430 cost for T-Line Emergency Vehicles in Grand Ledge to instal the body, tank, pump and warning package.
The new rescue truck will replace 1451 that is 12 years old. The old 1451 rescue truck will be converted into a grass fire fighting rig.
The Township Board approved a motion to pay off the High Point Community Bank loan early at a special meeting March 27 for the new fire engine that was purchased in 2019 to save approximately $15,000 in interest that the township could utilize on another vehicle moving forward.
The Township Fire Department will continue to pay the township $1,729.23 per month until the money the township used to pay off the new fire engine is paid back.
New Roof, Heating and Air Conditioning Units, Digital Sign Purchased
As noted above, the township board approved a proposal of $27,600 from Excel Roof Systems to replace the entire roof on the township hall. There is a 20-year warranty on the roof.
Trustee Richard Thierjung contacted three vendors. The other estimates were for $34,155.86 and $24,636.
Besides the purchase of a new furnace and air conditioning unit for the meeting room for $10,872 noted above, the board approved a quote from Bartholomew Heating for $12,260.00 for a furnace and air conditioning unit for the main area of the township hall, however funding will come out of the general fund.
The approved quote for $18,725 from Burkett Signs is for building the sign, installation and training staff how to use the digital sign. The sign 60” x 36” digital sign will be the same size as the current notice board and will be attached to the building in the same location of the current board the township notices and announcements are placed in.
Fire Millage Renewal Ballot Language for August Election Approved; Road Millage Proposal Expected in November
The Township unanimously approved a resolution to adopt the Fire Millage renewal ballot language to send to the attorney. The renewal will be for 1.5 mills for the August, 2024 election.
The Township plans to ask for a road millage renewal in the November, 2024 election.
Head Stone Cleanup Project in Gilson Cemetery Approved
John Simmons, a 1970 graduate of Climax-Scotts High School, asked and received permission to clean family head stones in Gilson Cemetery.
Simmons has ambitions to perform head stone cleaning on an extensive number of family markers in Gilson Cemetery and if possible he may be able to clean other head stones in the cemetery.
Simmons said he has discovered just in the last few years erosion that has taken place on the markers has been pretty visible. He said build up comes faster, with some lettering no longer visible.
Simmons said he uses Ivory soap and water and a wire brush. After rinsing with water he uses Wet and Forget. The product is applied and over time the debris slowly disappears with rain and the wind. This works for about two years.
In 2008-2012 Simmons assisted his late mother Phyllis, who was the Township Supervisor, and the Township board with a presentation Memorial Day to recognize local veterans.
In other items covered at the April 9 meeting:
• Climax Township Supervisor Trent Piper informed the board installation of the Columbarium in Harrison Cemetery will not take place in the spring but will be closer to the summer months.
• The Township Board adopted the Kalamazoo County Emergency Management Mitigation Plan that secures state funding if the township has to use its own resources in the event of a disaster.
• Climax Fire Chief Scott Smith said the Climax Township Fire Department responded to 18 calls for service for March.
• The Board unanimously approved the application of Jerry Carr to join the local fire department.
• Township Treasurer Steve Walman noted that of the $3.2 million the township collected in taxes, the township kept approximately $300,000 ($100,000 by the township, $100,000, from the fire millage and $100,000 from the road millage).
• The Township is expected to join the Flood Enhanced Insurance Program in the future. Clerk Marcia Lewis said because it was determined by FEMA some areas in the township are in a high risk category for flooding, if the township does not join the insurance program, flood insurance would not be available to township residents.
• The Spring Clean-up date will be July 13 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. The dumpster will be located in the Intermediate School parking lot.
The Township Board unanimously approved a price of $721 from Best Way Disposal for a 30-yard container to use at the Spring Clean-up. Anything over 8 tons will cost an additional $50 per ton.
• The Township Board will participate in the Memorial Day Parade.
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