Township Government

Board Minutes 2-5-2019

The Brownstown Township Board met on Tuesday 2-5-2019 at the Trustee’s office. Members present were Jack Gillespie and newly elected members Conner Barnette and Angela Blann. Trustee Jenifer Isaacs was also present. Gillespie gave Barnette and Blann the schedule for the Indiana Township Association training for newly elected board members, and suggested they try to attend.

The 2019 organizational meeting was called to order by last year’s Chairman Jack Gillespie. Angela Blann nominated Conner Barnette for Chairman and Jack Gillespie for Secretary. Both agreed to serve and were elected. Both were elected to also serve as officers of the Finance Board. Barnette took over as board chairman of the Township Board Meeting 2-5-2019. Minutes of the 9-26-2018 township meeting were read and approved.

For old business, Gillespie presented his copy of the Audit Report from the State Department of Local Government Finance(DLGF). This report of non-compliances was reviewed by DLGF with Trustee Isaacs on October 18, 2018. This board chairman’s copy is to be made available for public review.

Under new business, Trustee Isaacs presented Resolutions concerning nepotism, an annual finance report, and salary proposals for 2019. These were approved and signed by all board members. Gillespie presented copies of a recent newspaper article about Durland Cemetery. He also presented copies of some estimates for cemetery restoration projects completed or proposed by John Walters (“Graveyardgroomer”) and Helen Wildermuth (“Stonehugger”) since 2014.

by Jack R. Gillespie, Secretary

2-6-2019

August 1, 2019 0

Board Resolution 9-12-2018

The Brownstown Township Board resolves to maintain the current environmential protection of sensitive local watersheds provided by the Lake Residential District designation in the Jackson County , Indiana Zoning Ordinance. This is in opposition to the Jackson County Board of Zoning Appeals application for Special Exception for Section Number 5-2-Keeping of Livestock and Other Animals (Lake Residential District (S)). Signed by: Jack R. Gillespie, Board Chairman and Beverly DeWitt, Board Member.

Article submitted to local papers 9-12-2018: The Brownstown Township Board passed a resolution to maintain the current environmental protection of sensitive local watersheds provided by the Lake Residential District designation in the Jackson County, Indiana Zoning Ordinance. This action was made necessary by the action of the appointed Jackson County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA).

At the 9-11-2018 (BZA) meeting a Special Exception to Section Number 5-2-Keeping of Livestock and Other Animals (Lake Residential District (S)) was approved. That action would eliminate the protection from potential water pollutants entering the public waters of Brownstown Township in rain water runoff. That environmental protection is currently provided by the designated zoning regulation of Lake Residential District in the Jackson County, Indiana Zoning Ordinance.

In the discussion of the legal responsibilities of elected township and county officials, it was pointed out that although the public health concern for a zoonotic disease transmission such as leptospirosis may be low, the potential for other pollutants entering the lake water in rain water runoff and causing fish kill and water contamination is the reason for the current zoning designation of Lake Residential District. The resolution passed with a two to one vote of the members.

Jack R. Gillespie, Board Chairman

Brownstown Township Board

October 10, 2018 0

Board Minutes 9-13-2017

The Brownstown Township Board met on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at the Trustee’s office. Members present at the meeting were Bev Dewitt, Jack Gillespie, Angela Blann, and Jennifer Isaacs. Meeting was called to order by Jack Gillespie. Angela Blann read the minutes from the July 31^st meeting and they were approved.

Old Business

Jack passed out a Path Project proposal that he presented to the fair board on Monday, September 11^th requesting financial assistance to finish the path and is currently awaiting their decision.

Presbyterian Cemetery has been sprayed for weeds and saplings.

Miller Cemetery project has been completed by Graveyard Groomers.

New Business

Jennifer Isaacs attended the 2018 Budget Hearing, the only change from previous estimate is that we are unable to increase the cemetery fund as discussed due to the tax cap. Bev Dewitt made a motion to change from $25,000 to $20,000 for the cemetery fund and Jack Gillespie seconded. Budget otherwise as planned. Jennifer passed out copies of the 2018 Budget Estimate to members.

The next meeting is the Budget adoption meeting on Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at 5:00.

Meeting was adjourned.

January 3, 2018 0

2018 Board Organized

The Brownstown Township Board meet 1-3-2018 at the Trustee’s office. Jack Gillespie was elected Chairman, and Angela Blann was elected Secretary. Beverly DeWitt was unable to attend. Trustee Jenifer Isaac met with the Board.

January 3, 2018 0

Board Minutes 7-31, 2017

The Brownstown Township Board met on Monday, July 31, 2017 at the Trustee’s office. Members present at the meeting were Bev Dewitt, Jack Gillespie, Angela Blann, and Jennifer Isaacs. Meeting was called to order by Jack Gillespie. Jennifer Isaacs read the minutes from the June 21st meeting and they were approved.

Old Business

Work is beginning by Graveyard Groomers on Miller Cemetery for a $5,000 project and to follow with work on Burrell Cemetery . Jack is getting bids on the Old Town Cemetery from Helen Wildermuth of Stonehugger Cemetery Restoration, Inc. Nashville, IN.

New Business

Angela Blann was welcomed as new Township Board Member.

Jennifer read the 2018 budget with recommendations made and the board agreed to increase the Recreation budget from $10,000 to $20,000 and to increase the Cemetery budget from $20,000 to $25,000.

Jack discussed the new Obesity Project in Jackson County and possible future endeavors.

The next meeting will be in September.

Meeting was adjourned.

September 27, 2017 0

Board Minutes June 21, 2017

The Brownstown Township Board met on Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at the Trustee’s office. Members present at the meeting were Bev Dewitt, Jack Gillespie and Jennifer Isaacs. Meeting was called to order by Jack Gillespie. Jennifer Isaacs read the minutes of the May 1 meeting and they were approved.

Old Business:

The First German Presbyterian Cemetery in Wegan is almost complete. The boys have done a great job and the Highway Dept. has completed the road access to get to the cemetery. The amount the township owes should be less than $500. The next stage will be to spray for weeds.The Multi Path Project has a bid of $11,000. The Brownstown Township might have to pay half of it, but not until 2018.

New Business:

The Brownstown Township Trustee received a letter from Smallwood Cemetery about giving a donation to help them mow the cemetery this summer. Bev and Jack both agreed to make a donation of $250.00.

Jack Gillespie brought a bill in for Word Press (our township webpage) for $18.00. Jennifer reimbursed him with a check.

Meeting was adjourned.

July 31, 2017 0

Cemetery Tree Clearing Project

The First German Presbyterian Cemetery restoration project was initiated June 1, 2017, after the Jackson County Highway Department constructed an access lane on the easement to the cemetery property located north of county road 400 South at about 75 East in Brownstown Township. This access lane allowed the Township Board and Trustee to begin a tree clearing project for this historic site recently donated to the township by retired Brownstown High School Teacher, Lynn Hinnefeld.

Brownstown Township entered into independent contracting agreements with Brownstown High School students Jordan Statzer and Dylan Cockerham to clear the small trees and brush from the cemetery property. Teacher Blake Hackman and Township Board Chairman Jack Gillespie provided supervision for the tree clearing work. On June 14, 2017 Gillespie brought Mr. Hinnefeld to the site to get pictures of the project progress and meet with Hackman and the boys to discuss some of the family history of the cemetery.

As Jackson County departments have compleated cooperative projects of surveying the cemetery property and constructing an access lane to the site, the Township Board Chairman sent a gratitude email to the County Commissioners, Council, Auditor, Highway Department and Surveyor. This was another local government cooperative project to restore a truly historic Brownstown Township site.

See: https://brownstowntownshipindiana.com/

June 14, 2017 0

Board Minutes 5-1-2017

The Brownstown Township Board met on Monday, May 1, 2017 at the Trustee’s Office. Those present were Trustee Jennifer Isaacs, and board members, Bev DeWitt, Jack Gillespie, and Hope Warren. Also present for the meeting was Brownstown School Board Member, Dan Hall.

The meeting was called to order by Jack Gillespie. Hope read the minutes from the January 30, 2017 meeting. Minutes were approved as read.

Old Business

Board members discussed donating money to the soccer field this year and it was decided that the board would not be making a donation. Mowing of the field was also discussed and it was determined that the County Park Board is currently taking care of the field.

New Business

Dan Hall, Brownstown School Board Member reported on current projects that the school board is working towards. Dan reported that the high school football stadium would begin renovation once school has ended for the 2016-2017 school year. Dan also briefly discussed the possibilities of the turf project for the high school football field. Dan also stated his interest in serving another year on the Brownstown School Board.
Jack reported on the Healthy Jackson County Townships. Completing of the walking path will be discussed at the June meeting. This will be part of the 2018 obesity project. They will be receiving bids from Star Paving and Brad Pardieck.
Jack reported that the First German Presbyterian Cemetery pathway has not been finished yet by the county. He spoke with Jerry Ault and it is on the to-do list. Jack also reported that he will talk to Jade Peters about having some of the high school football players remove trees for $1500-$2000.
Jack presented an estimate from Stonehugger Cemetery Restoration, Inc. for the Old Town Cemetery project.
Jack reported we have not yet received an estimate on the Jackson County Park path project completion.
Jennifer reported we have received two mowing bids for 2017 from Mark Lahrman and Dave Self (A&B Mowing). Discussion was had, and it was decided to have Dave Self do the mowing for 2017. Bev made the motion and it was seconded by Hope. Meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Hope S. Warren, Brownstown Township Board Secretary

May 3, 2017 0