MINUTES FROM THE

REGULAR ANTWERP TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING

TUESDAY June 12, 2012
7:00 PM
Supervisor Ruzick called the Township Board meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Pledge of Allegiance
Board Members Present: Daniel J. Ruzick-Supervisor, Heather Mitchell-Clerk, Bonnie Osborne-Treasurer,
Bruce Cutting-Trustee, Ron Derhammer-Trustee.
Board Members Absent: None
Also Present: Eighteen guests.
Motion by Derhammer, second by Osborne to approve the agenda as mailed. All voted in favor. Motion
carries.
Motion by Cutting, second by Osborne to approve minutes from May 8, 2012 and June 7, 2012 as mailed.
All voted in favor. Motion carries.
Action on Planning Commission Recommendations: None
Guest Speakers:
Larry Hummel/Al Svilpe
Van Buren County Road Commission will be seeking renewal of county wide millage that was started in
1978. The millage is used solely for road maintenance and construction of roads. More than $500,000 has
been brought back to our community over the last four years.
Juris Kaps
Juris Kaps is seeking re-election as Van Buren County Prosecutor. He is running on a platform of
integrity and ability. Juris has been in office since 1982.
Matt Cooper
Matt is running for 36th Circuit Court Judge. The judgeship was held by Judge Buhl until 2010 when he
retired and remained vacant until early 2012. Matt has practiced law in this community for the past 22
years and is deeply rooted in Van Buren County
Karen Hamre
Karen Hamre is running for Van Buren County Register of Deeds. Karen is looking forward to serving
our community in a different capacity, as she has been in the education field at St Marys until her recent
retirement, but was involved with the county in different roles prior to that, one being in the register of
deeds office.
Pending Business: None
New Business:
A. Insurance Bids
Annual insurance bids were received by Western Insurance $17,593 and South Haven Insurance
$21,553. Board discussion on differences in coverage between two policies.

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Motion by Derhammer, second by Ruzick to accept insurance bid from Western Insurance
Roll Call Vote: Derhammer-yes; Ruzick-yes; Cutting-no; Mitchell-no; Osborne-no. Motion fails.
Motion by Cutting, second by Mitchell to accept insurance bid from South Haven Insurance.
Roll Call Vote: Osborne-yes; Mitchell-yes; Cutting-yes; Derhammer-no, Ruzick-no. Motion carries.
B. Antwerp Township Budget 2012-2013
Budget hearing was held on Thursday June 7, 2012. No major changes to the budget. Revenue
sharing has increased due to increase in population from the 2010 census. Increases in expenditures
on road projects from $160,000 to $275,000. Overall the township budget is once again in the black.
General discussion on cemetery sexton contract. Increase of $25 per burial and cremation; include
mileage provided a log is kept for purposes and distance. Lot sales will be handled through the
township office, along with enforcement of rules and regulations.
Motion by Cutting, second by Osborne to change current cemetery sexton contract to include increase in
pay, mileage, change line 1, remove line 5.
Roll Call Vote: Derhammer-yes; Cutting-yes; Osborne-yes; Mitchell-yes, Ruzick-abstained. Motion
carries.
Motion by Cutting, second by Mitchell to approve 2012-2013 Antwerp Township budget.
Roll Call Vote: Cutting-yes; Derhammer-yes; Osborne-yes; Ruzick-yes; Mitchell-yes. Motion carries.
C. Antwerp Township Road Projects 2012-2013
Engineers opinion of cost for projects2012-5 (Ewing Rd Township line to Village limits) $102,254;
2012-4.111 (Birmingham Meadows) $79,679; 2017.7-1 (29 St between Red Arrow Hwy and
Township line) $136,917; crackseal on Two Oaks Circle $450.00 totals $319,300 not including VBCRC
$68,000, leaves total cost to the Township of $251,300.
Motion by Cutting, second by Derhammer to approve funding of listed road projects within Antwerp
Township.
Roll Call Vote: Ruzick-yes; Derhammer-yes; Cutting-yes; Osborne-yes; Mitchell-yes. Motion carries.
D. Fee Schedule 2012-2013
Changes to Fee Structure include:
FOIA copies $1.00/page to $.25/page; Specialty permits $125.00; mechanical safety inspections and
additional inspections $45.00 to $50.00; multiple reductions to the building permit fees.
Motion by Osborne, second by Mitchell to approve all changes to Antwerp Township Fee Structure for
fiscal year 2012-2013.
Roll Call Vote: Osborne-yes; Derhammer-yes; Ruzick-yes; Cutting-yes; Mitchell-yes. Motion carries.
E. Board Appointments
Planning Commission: Denise Schultz
Motion by Derhammer, second by Osborne to appoint Denise Schultz to the Planning Commission with a
term ending June 2015. All voted in favor. Motion carries.
Mattawan Fire: Brian Begeman, Tom Wortman
Motion by Derhammer, second by Osborne to appoint Brian Begeman and Tom Wortman to the
Mattawan Fire Board. All voted in favor. Motion carries.
The appointment of Tom Wortman brings an end to the commitment of Terry Teeter who has faithfully
served on the Mattawan Fire Board for a number of years. This board wants to publically thank Terry for
his years of work and dedication to the Fire Board.
Lawton Fire: Joe Mayne
Motion by Cutting, second by Mitchell to appoint Joe Mayne to the Lawton Fire Board. All voted in
favor. Motion carries.
F. Siegfried Crandall Engagement Letter
Annual engagement letter for services from Siegfried Crandall for audit purposes.

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Motion by Cutting, second by Derhammer to respond to the engagement letter that it is our
understanding to have Siegfried Crandall provide audit services in 2012.
Roll Call Vote: Ruzick-yes; Derhammer-yes; Cutting-yes; Osborne-yes; Mitchell-yes. Motion carries.
G. Friends of Antwerp Township Sunshine Library
Resolution for charitable gaming license. Friends of the Sunshine Library will be selling raffle tickets
during an upcoming event to raise money for American Cancer Society.
Motion by Mitchell, second by Osborne to approve resolution for charitable gaming license for Sunshine
Library.
Roll Call Vote: Osborne-yes; Mitchell-yes; Derhammer-yes; Cutting-yes; Ruzick-yes. Motion carries.
H. EMS Budget Amendments
Mattawan Quick Response team voted at a regular meeting on 5/14/12 to amend the operating
budget for 2011-2012. Motion was made Dean to amend the budget $12,268.43, seconded by Kordish.
Motion by Osborne, second by Derhammer to approve budget amendments as approved by Mattawan
Quick Response.
Roll Call Vote: Cutting-yes; Derhammer-yes; Ruzick-yes; Mitchell-yes; Osborne-yes. Motion carries.
I. Mattawan Budget Amendments
Mattawan Fire had 30 days to comply with an order to purchase turn out gear that was over 10years
old, facing a fine of $25,000 per set that was not replaced, creating the need for a budget amendment
of $21,485.12 for capital outlay.
Motion by Osborne, second by Cutting to approve budget amendments for $21,485.12 for Mattawan Fire
District.
Roll Call Vote: Osborne-yes; Mitchell-yes; Derhammer-yes; Cutting-yes; Ruzick-yes. Motion carries.
Correspondence: Senior Services Letter
Announcements: Park & Recreation Workshop June 13, 2012 at 6:30 pm
Reports:
Ordinance Officer Mark Hamre
Two open blight issues. 117 units responded to calls within the month of May.
Attorney Harold Schuitmaker
No report.
Treasurer Bonnie Osborne
$137,508.76 in general fund.
Building Activity Heather Mitchell
Sixteen (16) permits for the month of May.
Sunshine Branch Library Bonnie Osborne
Golf Outing and Paleo Joe will be here June 19.
Lawton Fire Department Bruce Cutting
Short meeting, paid bills, looking at updates on equipment.
Mattawan Fire Department Bonnie Osborne
Short meeting, paid bills.

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Cemeteries Heather Mitchell

Two (2) burials for the month of May.
Mattawan Quick Response Bonnie Osborne
Approved budget amendments for 2011-2012 budget.
Planning Commission Ron Derhammer
Community Workshop is Wednesday June 13 at 6:30 pm. Steven VanSteenhuyse announced that he has
taken a job in Iowa so we will begin working with a new planner from LSL Planning.
Zoning Board of Appeals Heather Mitchell
No meeting.
Public Comment: Gary Stock addressed the board and audience regarding the Township Board.
Recommendation from the committee on Antwerp Township, Mattawan Quick Response and Mattawan
Fire Department bills in the amount of $106,124.58
Motion by Cutting, second by Derhammer to accept bills for payment.
Roll Call Vote: Derhammer-yes; Cutting-yes; Ruzick-yes; Osborne-yes; Mitchell-yes. Motion carries.
Motion by Osborne, second by Mitchell to adjourn.
All voted in favor. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted by,

Heather Mitchell/Clerk