Stockbridge council approves water-rate study, staff pay and building upgrades

The Village of Stockbridge council voted Nov. 6 to commission a $15,000 water-rate study, set the public works supervisor's salary at $62,400 and authorize several capital and operating expenditures.

Morehouse moved, supported by Howlett, to hire Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors to complete a water-rate study (scope one) for $15,000; the motion passed on a roll call with all seven members voting aye (Mullins, Cattell, Morehouse, Howlett, Fairbotham, Powers-Taylor and Ogden). The council did not include study details in the minutes beyond the contract amount and scope designation.

The council approved a personnel action setting the Department of Public Works supervisor's annual salary at $62,400, to be paid in 26 biweekly payments of $2,400 before deductions. That motion, made by Howlett and supported by Cattell, passed unanimously on roll call.

The council also approved several vendor and capital items. Howlett moved, supported by Cattell, to accept an engagement letter with Yeo & Yeo at an hourly rate of $345; the motion passed on a unanimous roll call. Mullins moved, supported by Fairbotham, to allow up to $40,000 from the building fund for office improvements in the new village hall; that motion passed unanimously. Morehouse moved, supported by Cattell, to authorize up to $60,000, with Wolverine Engineering oversight and approval, for dock replacements at the lagoons; the motion passed by unanimous roll call.

The council approved payment of bills totaling $163,011.25 on a roll-call vote with every member recorded as voting aye.

In unfinished business the council adopted the Utilities Committee Plan on a motion by Howlett, supported by Cattell; the minutes state "All in favor, Motion passed," and do not include a roll-call listing in the body of the minutes. The council also amended the Hall Rental Agreement to add a fee for charitable/nonprofit organizations local and within the school district on a motion by Howlett, supported by Fairbotham. The minutes list both $75.00 and $100.00 for all-day use and record a roll call of ayes; the minutes do not unambiguously state whether $75 or $100 applies, and the record does not clarify the management approval conditions beyond "upon approval by Management."

In public comment, residents spoke about a proposed Dollar General and about the police presentation recorded earlier; a representative of the Chamber of Commerce for Stockbridge requested Michigan Department of Transportation assistance for a parade permit for the Festival of Lights. Council members discussed including IT setup costs in the $40,000 upgrades and planning commission issues. The council scheduled committee meetings and set the next regular meeting for Dec. 4, 2023, at 7:00 p.m., and adjourned at 9:03 p.m.

Votes at a glance — major motions recorded in the minutes included: payment of bills $163,011.25 (approved, roll call: 7-0); Baker Tilly water-rate study $15,000 (approved, roll call: 7-0); DPW supervisor salary $62,400 (approved, roll call: 7-0); Yeo & Yeo engagement at $345/hr (approved, roll call: 7-0); use of up to $40,000 building fund for new hall office improvements (approved, roll call: 7-0); authorization of up to $60,000 for lagoon dock replacements (approved, roll call: 7-0); adoption of Utilities Committee Plan (approved, minutes record "All in favor"); amendment to Hall Rental Agreement to add a nonprofit fee (approved, roll call recorded; minutes list both $75.00 and $100.00 for all-day use and do not clarify which applies).