JORDAN NESS… is the newest member to be inducted into the Paw Paw Lake Rotary Club. Pictured are (from the left) Jordan, Rotary Presi-dent David Moss, and Denise Barowicz from Edward Jones. Jordan is a Financial Advisor from Edward Jones in Coloma. His sponsor is Denise Barowicz, Edward Jones Investments. Jordan was a Rotary Interact member for three years while he was in Coldwater High School. Jordan resides in Watervliet.

Re-elected Hagar Twp. Supervisor DiMaggio thanks voters for support at Monday’s Board meeting

By Jon Bisnett

Supervisor Izzy DiMaggio has this saying, “The sun always shines on the great state of Hagar.” When one looks at the current state of the township as a whole, one has to agree.

Hagar voters approved the 0.6362 mills to annually restore the $63,000 into the General Fund that had been missing since the Headlee Amendment Rollback.

DiMaggio prevailed over a token opposition to be reelected to another 4-year term as Supervisor.

Trustee Deb Kavanaugh is stepping down with Beth Raiser answering the call as Trustee and new Hagar Parks Director.

Building Inspector Butch Kelly and Ordinance Officer George Schemenauer are hot on the trail of several chronic blight issues as they continue to stay the course in cleaning up the Township.

Guests

County Commissioner Bill Smith briefly addressed the board while delivering copy of the County’s $15 million budget.

Supervisor Report

Supervisor DiMaggio began by thanking the voters for allowing him the privilege of serving another term as supervisor. He went on to say he is proud of the accomplishments of the current board and cannot foresee any increase in taxes for the next four years.

DiMaggio reminded that the Board of Review has a vacancy that must be filled prior to December 31.

In addition there are currently three candidates who have applied for the two vacancies on the DDA.

Treasurer Report

Treasurer Marlene Davis presented October expenses in the amount of $39,887.34 noting Winter Taxes are at the printer and will be mailed out December 1.

Clerk Report

Clerk Ian Haight reported just eight calls for Pride Care Ambulance with an average response time of 10:34 for the month of October.

Haight reported an outstanding voter turnout of 63% for last Tuesday’s Presidential Election. He went on to compliment the election workers for an excellent job.

Sheriff’s Department

Deputy Dutler reported just 33 complaints within the Township during the month of September, including 7 citations and 6 arrests. Dutler went on to inform citizens that a recent rash of breaking & entering of automobiles has occurred along the lakeshore with most activity thus far south of the Hagar line. He further cautioned residents to be vigilant as residential breaking and entering typically increases in the fall as homeowners head south leaving their home empty for several months.

Fire Report

Supervisor DiMaggio reported 16 runs in the month of October for the North Berrien Joint Fire Department with only four occurring in Hagar Township and only one structure fire.

Deb Kavanaugh reported as liaison to the local Fire Chief Search Committee that the North Berrien Joint Fire Board and the search team had a recent conference call with fire consultant Jeff Swanson. Swanson’s firm will locate, filter and score candidates for the local team’s ultimate consideration. At this time the search team is developing a full and complete job description for the chief position. Kavanaugh indicated there is no rush and expects interviews to perhaps begin in March of 2017. She also added that she felt good about process thus far.

Building Inspector Report

Building Inspector Butch Kelley reported four permits for $250,000 in the prior month.

Kelley has a list of ordinance violations in the works including the following: 3098 M-63, 3171 M-63, 5436 Hickory, 6413 M-63 and 3068 Birch Avenue. Each has been formally cited and in some cases given extra time to comply.

Ordinance Officer George Schemenauer commented, “The train is on the tracks…” Additional warnings have been given out along with several citations. The board supports these measures fully in moving forward on properties in question by all legal means available. Kelly is scheduled to sit down with the Township attorney later in the week to review legal procedure in bringing resolution to the properties.

Parks & Recreation

Parks Director Deb Kavanaugh reported that activity is winding down in the park system, but will continue to provide basic trash and port-a-potti services until first snow fall.

Supervisor DiMaggio thanked Deb for her five years of service, saying the Township has been well-rewarded during her time on board. Kavanaugh will not disappear by any means as she will continue on the Fire Chief Search Committee and work on Hagar’s behalf with the Paw Paw River cleanup project.

Supervisor DiMaggio welcomed Beth Raiser who will take the oath of office and assume the chair of Deb Kavanaugh on November 20. Raiser is a native of Wisconsin who came to Hagar in 2011 following a short stint in Chicago. She looks forward to the position of Parks Director and complimented the retiring Kavanaugh for doing most of the heavy lifting by completing the Township 5-Year Recreation Plan.

Public Commentary

The subject of fire pit use came up during public comment. Butch Kelly commented that when the burning ordinance was most recently revised, he felt the intent of the revisions got lost in the wording which in his opinion could be considered conflicting from one paragraph to the next. Further legal research will be pursued to clear up the matter.

Having no further public business Supervisor DiMaggio adjourned the meeting at 7:41 p.m. The Board meets next for the regular monthly meeting at 7:00 p.m. Monday, December 13.

Hartford Township considers paying salary of Hartford Sheriff’s Officer

By Nancy Albright

At the Hartford Township Hall meeting on November 10, Van Buren County Sheriff Dale Gribler addressed township officials to request that the township now pay for the services of Hartford Sheriff’s Officer Phil Scuiletti, which have previously been paid out of the revenue-sharing program between Hartford and the Pokagon Tribe.

The Pokagon-Hartford Area Local Revenue Sharing Board, consisting of Township Trustee John McLellan, Hartford Public Schools Business Manager Mike Hallgren, Hartford City Manager Yemi Akinwale, County Commissioner Dick Freestone and Steve Winchester of the Pokagon Tribe, approved distribution of revenue-sharing proceeds for the 2016 fiscal year and gave notice that the board cannot distribute the funds for 2017. Patrol officer reimbursement for fiscal year 2016 was $80,224.00 and dispatching expenses were $6,120.00.

Township Supervisor Ron Sefcik commented that, “I have had the opportunity to ride with Phil who has served the township in a professional manner and has done a wonderful job for the people of Hartford. This not a question of do we or don’t we pay him for his service. I believe this asset will be well-spent.”

Township officials agreed to revisit the request at the December Township Hall meeting upon review of available financial options.

Van Buren County

receives grant to increase law enforcement activity

Van Buren County Operations Lieutenant David Walker reported that the county received $23,000 in grant money from the Michigan Office of Highway Safety. The funds will be used to hire additional officers to enforce traffic issues, specifically seatbelt violations and cases of OWI, which constitutes operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and/or using illegal drugs.

The Sheriff’s office, in partnership with the Van Buren County Road Commission, has obtained a radar tracker to remind drivers to slow down and drive at posted speed limits. Any Van Buren County township that wishes to use the tracker can contact the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office at (269) 657-2006.

Lieutenant Walker would like to remind residents that deer are prevalent during the hunting season and to slow down, especially when the sun begins to set, as that is when they are most likely to cross roadways. Also, report any suspicious activity to authorities as the information may lead to solving area crimes.

Purhman Hauling and Excavating to clear

property behind

Hartford Township Hall

Hartford township officials granted a request made by Bob Kling of Purhman Hauling and Excavating to burn the brush behind the township hall on-site, as moving the brush off-site to another location to burn it would incur additional cost.

In exchange for permission from the township to burn within city limits, the company agreed to clear the debris from the quarter-acre property, and slope and reseed the land. There will be no negative environmental impact as a result of the project. The decision complies with Michigan statute that states the work cannot be done free of charge, thus meeting the value-to-value requirement. Prior to beginning the project, Purhman will obtain the required verbal permit from the Hartford Fire Department.

Hartford Township

rejects marijuana

dispensary

Township officials rejected operating a marijuana dispensary in Hartford Township. A dispensary constitutes a processor, a provision center, secure transport, a safety compliance facility, a tracking system and regulation by the State of Michigan. The board agreed that a dispensary is not a good deal for Hartford and would be a burden on the township.