Keeler Township (May 2)

Roll call: Members present —Bill Kays, Carl Davis, Tom Landis, and Carmen Fleischauer; absent — Barb Fisher.

New fire equipment: The board approved a special meeting Tuesday, May 16, to discuss whether or not to purchase self-contained breathing apparatus equipment from the Bangor Fire Department for Keeler Township Fire & Rescue. Motion by Fleischauer, supported by Landis. Motion carried.

Termination of dispatch agreement: The board approved a motion to terminate the Keeler Township Fire & Rescue dual dispatch agreement with the Sister Lakes Fire Department, effective May 9. Motion by Landis, supported by Fleischauer. Motion carried.

Recusal: The board approved a motion by Trustee Carmen Fleischauer to recuse herself from discussing or voting on matters regarding the Sister Lakes Playhouse property, at 92249 CR 690, Dowagiac. Motion by Landis, supported by Davis. Motion carried.

Demolition bids: The board approved a motion to advertise for bidders to demolish the playhouse property in the newspaper. The board accepted bids through May 31, with the township supervisor and clerk selecting the best bid for the township’s interests. Motion by Davis, supported by Landis. Motion carried.

Appointment rescindment: The board approved a motion to rescind the recent appointment of Mike Joyner to the Sister Lakes Corridor Improvement Authority, as the board is currently full and no resignations have taken place. Motion by Davis, supported by Landis. Motion carried.

Sewer rate increase: The board approved a resolution, #05-09-2017-01, that raises the monthly service fee for sewage access with the Sister Lakes Area Utilities Authority to $35 per month, beginning July 1. Motion by Davis, supported by Landis. Yes: Davis, Landis, Kays and Fleischauer. Absent: Fisher.

Update to township recreation plan: The board approved an agreement with Wightman & Associates Inc. to update the township’s five-year recreation plan. The township will pay $2,500 to Wightman for the work. The corridor improvement authority will pay an additional $2,500. Motion by Davis, supported by Landis. Yes: Davis, Landis, Kays and Fleischauer. Absent: Fisher.

Fireworks display: The board approved the Sister Lakes Lions Club’s request to host its annual Fourth of July Fireworks show on Saturday, July 1, with a rain date of Sunday, July 2. Motion by Landis, supported by Fleischauer. Motion carried.

Donation: The board also approved a motion to donate $300 to the Lions Club to support the fireworks show. Motion by Fleischauer, supported by Landis. Motion carried.

Keeler Township special meeting (May 16)

Roll call: Members present — Bill Kays, Carl Davis, Carmen Fleischauer, and Tom Landis; absent — Barb Fisher.

Purchase of new fire equipment: The board approved a motion to purchase $15,000 worth of self-contained breathing apparatus equipment from the Bangor Fire Department for Keeler Township Fire & Rescue. Motion by Landis, supported by Fleischauer. Yes: Davis, Landis, Kays and Fleischauer. Absent: Fisher.

Selling of old equipment: The board approved a motion to sell off the Keeler Township Fire & Rescue’s old self-contained breathing apparatus equipment currently installed on its trucks. Motion by Kays, supported by Fleischauer. Yes: Davis, Landis, Kays and Fleischauer. Absent: Fisher.

Dowagiac Union Schools Board of Education (May 15)

Roll call: Members present — Larry Schmidt, Ruth Ausra, Ronda Sullivan, Ron Jones, Claudia Zebell; members absent — Phyllis Sarabyn, Doug Kolmodin.

Payment of bills: The board approved a motion to pay $862,636.15 worth of bills. Motion by Zebell, supported by Ausra. Yes: Unanimous.

Tenure improvement: The board approved a motion to approve tenure and probationary recommendations to 28 district faculty members. Motion by Jones, supported by Sullivan. Yes Unanimous.

Leave: The board approved a motion granting leave to Patrick Hamilton fifth-grade teacher Erica Schibley and Union High School parapro Sheryl Johnson. Motion by Zebell, supported by Ausra. Yes: Unanimous.