WINDSOR CHARTER TOWNSHIP BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 25, 2025 – 7:00 PM
PROPOSED
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Supervisor Shaw, who led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Present: Shaw, Rumsey, Barnhart-Smith, Pray, Myers, VanElls, and Gardner
Absent: None
Barnhart-Smith moved, and Myers
seconded to approve the agenda as written.
Motion carried unanimously.
Rumsey moved, and Barnhart-Smith seconded to approve the minutes of the
previous meeting as written. Motion
carried unanimously.
Reports:
Sheriff’s Report: A representative from
the Eaton County Sheriff’s Office spoke on the active
investigation into the February 10, 2025, fire and homicide in Windsor
Township. Eaton County is seeking help from the public; tips can be submitted
anonymously via the Eaton County Crime Tip Line at 517-543-5433.
Planning Commission: At the last meeting, there were two Special Use Permit public hearings: one for Fish Pond Daycare and one for the Tarrington Group. The Planning Commission recommended to the Board for approval of Fish Pond Daycare, and the Tarrington Group’s application for Special use was tabled until more information can be provided and a site plan is submitted for review.
Sewer Board: Met on Thursday, March 20, 2025. They discussed investing in sewer funds in Michigan Class because it seems like a better investment opportunity.
Emergency Service Department: Chief Miller reported: 1) Significant Runs. 2) Reported on the M-99 Construction project between Edgewood and Holt roads. They will be replacing the curb and working on the drains on the north side. During this phase, the approaches at M-99 from the west will be closed, and traffic will be rerouted onto the southbound lanes. 3) A representative from the Accident Fund who does our workman’s comp insurance. He seemed pleasantly surprised at some of the policies we already have in place. 4) A deceased individual from a fire earlier this year on Vermontville Highway has been identified. The Eaton County Sheriff’s Department is asking anyone with information to reach out to Detective Ted Johnson or Detective Lt. Aaron Campbell.
Assessor/Preston Community Services: 1) Equalization is audited and submitted to the county for review. The county will now pass it up to the state. Overall, there was a 7% increase in SEV, which is essentially equivalent to market value, and the taxable value increased by approx. 4.9%. 2) The building department has processed 80 permits since January 1st. 3) The building department's resolution is on tonight's agenda regarding fee changes. Due to various circumstances, it will need to be moved to the agenda for the next meeting.
Public Service Department: 1) So far this month, there have been two full burials and two cremations. Another cremation is scheduled for the following day. 2) There is some tree damage from the previous storm, and they will be working on clean-up.
Supervisor's Report: 1) I attended the Planning Commission meeting regarding the Tarrington Group, Consumer's Energy meeting with the residents whose property will be directly affected by drain easements for the Consumers Energy service center project, met with Crandall Brothers Trucking to look at future land use, participated with Board of Review and will be attending the Michigan Township Association conference next week. 2) I did an online review of recent bills from the House of Representatives, including a road funding plan. 3) There will be a public open house and informational meeting on April 21st from 3.30 to
6.30 for the Trails Committee at the First Presbyterian Church in town. They would like to link the... Thornapple Trail with the Lansing River Trail.
Public Officials: l) Lori Conarton discussed upcoming events, noting that they are gearing up for the Memorial Day parade, and encouraged anyone who wants to join in. The Easter Egg Hunt will take place on Sunday, March 31st, at 1 pm at Lions Park. The Easter Bunny will be making an appearance. 2) Jacob Toomey of Eaton County Board of Commissioners District 10 spoke on the upcoming May 6th election, grants for parks, and a grant for trees potentially along the river bank.
Other Reports & Announcements: Treasurer Rumsey has chosen Point and Pay for our electric payment services. There is a $500 setup charge and a $ 50 monthly fee, or an option to prepay $2,000 upfront with a 3-year contract. Prepaying will save us $300 for the first 3 years with no additional cost after that. A 2.8% convenience fee will be applied to the cardholder's account. Rumsey made a motion, and VanElls seconded it to amend the 2()25 budget, transferring from Contingency to contractual services under the Treasurer's department to enable the acceptance of credit card payments. Motion carried unanimously.
Hear Public Present for Agenda Items: None
Unfinished Business: None
New Business:
Pray moved, and Barnhart-Smith seconded to accept the recommendation from the Planning Commission to approve the Special Use Permit for Fish Pond Daycare for Billie and Gary Fish, subject to annual reviews. Motion carried unanimously.
Barnhart-Smith made a motion, and Myers seconded to approve the Metro Act Permit for Midwest Fiber Networks. Motion carried unanimously.
Assistant Fire Chief Bill Fabijancic recently brought to the attention of Public Service Director Kyle Baker that the Public Service building needs an upgrade. The equipment must be positioned precisely to fit within the building; now, it has become a significant safety issue. Once all the equipment is in place, someone has to climb over the mowers to exit and lock the doors. We would also like to consider the possibility of adding a bathroom and office. They are currently using a port-a-john all year long, and the Public Service office in the Emergency Service Building was sacrificed to make room for the new Building Department at the end of 2024. Barnhart-Smith made a motion, and VanElls seconded it to investigate the possibility of adding to the existing Public Service building, including seeking bids and quotes to present to the Board in the future. Motion carried unanimously.
Myers reported on some initial steps to get the process started for the potential township hall. He will be meeting with some professionals from the State of Michigan to discuss the process and how to initiate a project like this. He reported that discussions had taken place with an architect from Eaton Rapids to gather some ideas. It is his thought that we will not only need an architect but a construction manager to pull this all together. Shaw shared that she has also been researching grant options for this project. Shaw. made a motion, and Pray seconded it to have Myers investigate and conduct some conversations regarding the first steps in starting this type of project, bringing the information back to the board for review. Motion carried unanimously.
Pete Preston of Preston
Community Services reported that they are still working on the Building
Department fee schedule, as well as collaborating with BS&A to transition
everything to the cloud, add fillable forms, and, most importantly, listen to
residents and contractors to ensure that the forms are clear and accurate. He
went on to address the fact that some residents and contractors have struggled
with permit fees compared to what Eaton County was previously charging. In
reviewing the Eaton County fee schedule, it has not been
Barnhart-Smith made a motion, and Rumsey seconded it to amend the meeting schedule to include a second Board meeting on April 22nd. Motion carried unanimously.
Hear the public present on any subject: Public comment heard.
With no further business, Supervisor Shaw adjourned the meeting at 8:02 pm.
Meredith Barnhart-Smith
Windsor Charter Township Clerk