The regular monthly meeting of the Board of the Town of Rockbridge was held on Thursday, May 15th, 2025, at the Rockbridge Town Hall.
- Call to Order: Nick Perna, town chairman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., noting it had been properly posted, which was followed by the pledge of allegiance.
- Roll Call: Doug Duhr, Nick Perna, Jeff Falk, Beth Kepler, and Sharon Miller, were present. Also present was Scott Banker, Brad Schumacher, Jake Falk and Steve Miller.
- Approval of the Agenda: Doug made a motion to approve the agenda; Jeff seconded the motion. All in favor; aye, motion carried.
- Approval of Last Meeting Minutes: Jeff made a motion to wave on the reading of the minutes and approve them; Doug seconded the motion. All in favor; aye, motion carried.
- Building and Driveway Permits: Steve Miller: Last meeting a driveway permit was passed for the Millers, they are now applying for a building permit. The board looked over the plans for a one story 42×48 (2,016 sq ft) shed to be built on a cement slab and detached. Doug asked about the setbacks from the road. Scott said they are good. Doug moved to approve the permit, Jeff seconded. All in favor; aye, motion carried. A fee of $150.00 was paid. Steve Miller: Also applied for a building permit to build a cabin 32×46 (1,472 sq ft), at .20 per square foot the fee will be $294.40. The board looked over these plans as well. Log cabin, 2 baths. He has gotten the required sanitary permit number and noted it will take a 400 ft deep well for water. He is aware of the driveway turn around needed for fire trucks. Doug moved to approve pending the sanitary permit number. Jeff seconded. All in favor; aye, motion carried. Bradley Schumacher: Applied for a driveway permit $200.00 and residential home building permit, 1,408 sq ft., coming to $281.60. He has gotten his sanitary permit number. Doug moved to approve both the driveway and building permits applied for. Jeff seconded. All in favor; aye, motion carried. Jake Falk: Requested a permit to build a replacement garage, which will be located about 30 feet away from where the original plan was. It will be 30×48 (1,440 sq ft.). Doug moved to approve the permit. Jeff seconded. All in favor; aye, motion carried. A fee of $150.00 was paid.
- Rural Fire District Report: Jeff moved to revise the agenda to move the Fire District Report. Doug seconded. All in favor; aye, motion carried.
- Financial Report: Treasurer Beth Kepler gave this report with an ending balance of $197,735.12. Noting our first quarter Transportation Aid of
$22,719.54 had been added to the account as was the Lottery Credit amount of $4,064.92. Doug moved to approve the report, Jeff seconded the motion. All in favor; aye, motion carried. - Bills: The bills were presented to the board by the clerk with a total of
$15,050.10. One bill was removed to Austin Clary for $136.00, which will be billed to the township by the County for disposal of tires, leaving a final total of $14,914.10 to be paid for the month of May. A motion was made by Doug to approve and pay the bills and Jeff seconded. All in favor; aye, motion carried. - Items For Discussion and Action: Jeff discussed selling one of the big trucks and buying two smaller ones, that way someone would be able to plow snow without having a CDL and it would be easier to turn around on dead end roads. Jeff also brought up the purchasing of a battery charger and tools for the patrolman. It was decided that both these subjects would need further research by Jeff. No action was taken at this time.
Doug made a motion to replace the siding on the town hall and soffit on the old recycling shed. Jeff seconded. All in favor; aye, motion carried.
Nick moved to not give 2 loads of gravel to the Woodstock cemetery, Doug seconded. All in favor; aye, motion carried.
There was discussion as to a town website. Nick will further research the options.
The septic tank pumping paperwork was given to the clerk by the chairman, to be taken care of.
An employee handbook will need to be put together by the board. Doug has started a draft, but it will be tabled for now.
The contract for Worth Services will be tabled and there will need to be price researching by the board.
Nick gave the bridge inspection report to the board. NO maintenance is needed currently.
The clerk asked on behalf of the John Peterson family if the picture of George Washinton could be returned to them. Doug made the motion to return the picture and Jeff seconded. All in favor; aye, motion carried. - Rural Fire Report: Scott said there were no fires in the town of Rockbridge to report.
- Set Next Monthly Meeting: The next monthly meeting will be June 19th, 2025, at 6:00.
- Adjournment: Jeff moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:22 p.m. and Doug seconded. All in favor; aye, motion carried.
Sharon Miller, Clerk