07-13-2017 Bainbridge working on township cemeteries, seeking bids for monument repairs and approves

Bainbridge working on township cemeteries, seeking bids for monument repairs and approves cost of tree removal

By Angela Stair

The Bainbridge Township Board of Trustees held their monthly meeting on Monday, July 10.  Bainbridge Township is responsible for the upkeep and care of four cemeteries within their borders.

Bill Hodge, township supervisor, contacted the St. Joe Monument Works out of Benton Harbor because two monuments with the cemetery names on them are in danger of falling over and breaking. Ryan Mishler, the owner, came out and visited all four cemeteries with the supervisor to see what was needed at each.

The New Hope Cemetery sign is the worst condition and will be considered for repair first.  Mishler said the foundation was failing and was not supporting the weight of the stone.  He recommended that a new foundation should be poured and the stone reset.  The foundation needs to be a minimum of 36 inches deep to correctly support the monument.

The estimated cost to have St. Joe Monument Works to pull and reset the stone would be $800; this does not include the cost of the new foundation needed.  After the board discussed it, they decided to get some estimates on the cost of the foundation before making a final decision.

Supervisor Hodge said they will need to then look at the cost of doing the same at one of the other cemeteries.  There is also a dead tree in the Territorial Cemetery that is in danger of falling over and needs to be removed.  He said they would not want it to fall on someone and got an estimate from Total Tree Care LLC out of Watervliet.

The estimated cost to remove the tree, grind the stump, replace the top soil after grinding, and removal of all the brush is $1,100.  After discussing it, the board approved the cost for the removal.

Adopt Official Zoning Maps; Training for new election equipment; Other business

Township Clerk Patty Hiler-Molter brought to the board’s attention that they needed to adopt the Official Zoning Maps, which would bring them up to date.  She said some zones are gone or changed and she has made some notes on the ones they have hanging on the wall, but they need to get new ones that would bring everything current.  The board discussed and approved it.

Clerk Hiler-Molter also informed the board that the new election equipment grant has been approved, so there will be many changes.  She asked for the board’s approval for funding to train the election staff.  Each one has to go for training, and at this point she did not know if it would be as a group or individually.  The board approved what it will cost for the training.

The Bainbridge Township Board approved the paying of bills in the amount of $10,302.50, Pipestone Assessment District of $90,000.00, Payroll taxes in the amount of $2,444.88, and Payroll in the amount of $7,411.40 for a total of $110,158.78.

The next Bainbridge Township Board of Trustees meeting will be August 14, 2017.

Berrien County Board of Public Works has vacancies

 The Public Works board has vacancies that need to be filled.  The primary purpose of the Board of Public Works is to provide assistance in financing the municipal water, sewer, and storm systems within the County.   Membership consists of the Drain Commissioner in addition to six other members.   The terms for the Board of Public Works are three years. Meetings are held on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 9:30 a.m. at the Berrien County Administration Center, 701 Main St., St. Joseph.

Anyone interested in serving on this board may contact the Berrien County Administration office for an application at 269-983-7111, ext. 8095 or email akrieger@berriencounty.org.  The application is also available on the Berrien County website at www.berriencounty.org (under the Board of Commissioners page and board appointments).  Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, July 19, 2017.