Board Meeting

I attended the May board meeting last week, and it was eye-opening. The board, consisting of supervisor, treasurer, clerk, and trustees (2), was accompanied by the Whitewater Township attorneys, which isn't the norm. I think that the presence of the attorneys is in response to the continuing litigation surrounding special road assessments from several years ago.

The meeting lasted over two hours, one full hour of which was devoted to the sales pitches of two insurance firms, competing for the Township's business. The firms, which are primarily one-agent offices, gave 15-minute and 45-minute pleas, respectively. Most poignant was the 45-minute agent, the Township's current provider, who almost shed a tear as he gave his impassioned speech. I wonder if all the service providers are required to give their pitches during a public meeting, and, if it would be possible to hold them all to a shorter time frame.

There was a short discussion about the work of the Planning Commission, a body that exists to support the Board in preparing and recommending changes to the Township's Master Plan and Zoning Ordinance. The Board is conflicted about allowing the Planning Commission to complete its Master Plan recommendations, but finally agreed to wait for the finished product to be presented. Since the Planning Commission is composed of persons appointed by the Board, I cannot imagine that the task of finding potential new Commission members would be an easy one, if the Board decides to take back the work that it initially entrusted to them.