Regular Meeting Village of Hubbardston October 13, 2026
Meeting called to order by Council President, Paula Peiffer, at 6:30 p.m.
Board members present
President Paula Peiffer, Clerk Laurie Fuller, Treasurer Star Hobart, Trustees Sheryl Mitchell, Lance Ewalt, Phil Schneider
Motion by President Peiffer supported by Trustee Schneider to appoint Miranda Bennett to the open Trustee seat through the end of the open term. Roll call vote: Trustee Mitchell – yes, Trustee Ewalt– yes. Motion carried 4/0
Motion by President Peiffer supported by Trustee Schneider to approve the agenda as amended.
Roll call vote: Trustee Mitchell – yes, Trustee Ewalt– yes, Trustee Bennett - yes. Motion carried 5/0
Motion by President Peiffer supported by Trustee Schneider to approve the meeting minutes for the September 15, 2026 Regular Meeting.
Roll call vote: Trustee Mitchell – yes, Trustee Ewalt – yes, Trustee Bennett - yes. Motion carried 5/0.
Special Speaker/Public Input
Shelley Cooper asked residents to support her sister and law partner, Lori Shearer, for Circuit Judge in the upcoming election.
Resident, Dan Peiffer, asked if the village could pass an ordinance for farm trucks to cover their loads to prevent spillage of contents on village roads. Mr. Peiffer also commented that the response to the FOIA request was a joke, considering there was no proof that could be provided to confirm communications made by a Trustee and other authorities.
Spencer, with West Michigan Planning, discussed the results from the Parks and Rec Plan Survey that was recently conducted. The number of completed surveys received was good considering the village population. He would like goals and objectives within the next two weeks so he can have a draft together by the November meeting. The approval of the draft and the final will need to be listed on the agenda of the meeting(s) they are proposed.
Motion by President Peiffer supported by Trustee Schneider to form a Parks and Rec Steering Committee, to collectively outline goals and objectives, within the next two weeks for the parks and rec plan.
Roll call vote: Trustee Mitchell – yes, Trustee Ewalt– yes, Trustee Bennett - yes. Motion carried 5/0.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Hobart gave the treasurer report of current deposits and receipts.
John Moxy communicated that the village received approval for the bridge grant. The estimated cost of the project is $401,000. The village will need to front $30,000 for a design engineer in 2027 and $80,000 in 2028 for the project. Mr. Moxy asked whether the village would prefer to complete the project in 2028 or 2029.
He will provide the board with an official approval including details so the board can decide what year to schedule the project.
Motion by President Peiffer supported by Trustee Mitchell to accept the Treasurer’s deposit and receipts report as presented.
Roll call vote: Trustee Ewalt – yes, Trustee Bennett – yes, Trustee Schneider – yes. Motion carried 5/0.
Clerk’s Report
Clerk Fuller gave the report for payables and payroll approval, and the revenue and expenditure reports.
Motion by President Peiffer supported by Trustee Mitchell to accept the Clerk’s payables and payroll report as presented and to pay the approved payroll and invoices.
Roll call vote: Trustee Ewalt– yes, Trustee Bennett– yes, Trustee Schneider - yes. Motion carried 5/0.
President’s Report
Magna Grip will pay a company to write a grant for the village for the installation of a diesel exhaust system.
President Peiffer applied for a Treasury grant for new SCBA equipment for the fire department. She is also working with LEO for a community services grant.
President Peiffer has been searching for a used handicap porta john that the village could purchase and has not been successful in finding one. She was told to check back monthly.
Motion by President Peiffer supported by Trustee Bennett to purchase a 20-foot shipping container for $1800. Roll call vote: Trustee Mitchell – NO, Trustee Ewalt– yes, Trustee Schneider - NO. Motion carried 3/2.
Motion by President Peiffer supported by Trustee Bennett to accept the President’s report as presented.
Roll call vote: Trustee Mitchell – yes, Trustee Ewalt – yes, Trustee Schneider - yes. Motion carried 5/0.
Fire Chief Report
Fire Chief Stephanie Lewis asked if the DPW could even out the ground by the power station so fire trucks can safely back up in the driveway.
Motion by President Peiffer supported by Trustee Ewalt to extend the meeting past 8:00 pm.
Roll call vote: Trustee Mitchell - yes, Trustee Bennett– yes, Trustee Schneider – yes. Motion carried 5/0.
Motion by Trustee Mitchell supported by Trustee Ewalt to hire Matt Baker to fix the roof on the fire department tower for $2500 which includes 10-year warranty work.
Roll call vote: President Peiffer - yes, Trustee Bennett – yes, Trustee Schneider – yes. Motion carried 5/0.
DPW Report
Motion by President Peiffer supported by Trustee Mitchell to spend up to $1400 to fix the salt spreader on the plow truck.
Roll call vote: Trustee Ewalt - yes, Trustee Bennett – yes, Trustee Schneider – yes. Motion carried 5/0.
Old Business
Trustee Mitchell looked around to find out what other municipalities use as a website designer/provider. She found that STG Schumacher Tech Group does ADA compliant website design and maintenance for several surrounding municipalities. Initial one-time start-up cost range from $1000 to $3000 and $500 to $750 annually to maintain it. She will have more information at the next meeting.
President Peiffer obtained a recommendation and a quote for a mini-split furnace in the amount of $4800 for the fire department. Trustee Schneider will work to obtain another recommendation and quote.
New Business
Motion by President Peiffer supported by Trustee Schneider to purchase a ventilation fan for no more than $900 from Amazon, unless Trustee Schneider can get a better price by the 27th of October.
Roll call vote: Trustee Mitchell - yes, Trustee Ewalt – yes, Trustee Bennett - yes. Motion carried 5/0.
Motion by President Peiffer supported by Trustee Ewalt to pay Trustee Bennett for the October meeting at the November meeting.
Roll call vote: Trustee Mitchell - yes, Trustee Ewalt – yes, Trustee Bennett - abstained.
Motion carried 4/0 (Bennett abstained).
Meeting adjourned by President Peiffer 8:40 p.m.
MINUTES NOT APPROVED UNTIL:
Next Regular Meeting November 10, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted by
Laurie Fuller, Village of Hubbardston Clerk