MONTCALM TOWNSHIP — The Montcalm Township Board approved hiring janitorial staff Wednesday evening for general cleaning at the township hall and to clean the floors.
Supervisor Michael Adams received bids from many local companies to continue general cleaning at the hall. The board voted to hire Bunnell’s Cleaning at a cost not to exceed $120 a month.
The company will vacuum the floors, wash windows, clean the restrooms and more. Clerk Carol Rosebrook said Bunnell’s Cleaning has cleaned the hall before and she was very pleased with the outcome.
As for cleaning the carpet and tile, Adams said he was still waiting for bids from Brad’s Cleaners to arrive in the mail. Board members and residents at the meeting wanted to give Brad’s Cleaners as shot at winning the bid.
The winning bidder will shampoo the carpets and rewax the tile floors once.
The board decided to approve the lowest bid already received from another company. If Brad’s Cleaners submits a lower bid the company will be awarded the job.
The board approved paying up to $532.75 to get the carpet cleaned in the hall, with the guarantee of getting all stains out.
The board approved spending $462.60 to get the tile floor stripped and rewaxed.
If cleaning the floors does not help improve the appearance of the hall, Adams said he would like to look into replacing the carpet.

In other matters…
• The board approved allowing Adams to have the second signature on the bank accounts until a new treasurer is appointed. Voters recalled Treasurer Phyllis Shilling by a vote of 394-275 on Tuesday.
• Adams said the township’s attorney, Doug Van Essen of Grand Rapids, has made contact with the son of Helen Peer regarding her burial plot and hopes for a solution within the next couple weeks.
Helen Peer’s body is buried in the wrong plot at East Montcalm Cemetery. The family that owns the plot where Peer is buried has asked the township to resolve the issue soon.
• Adams said the Chicago based Insurance Services Organization has received paperwork from the township’s fire chief regarding the lowering of the fire department’s rating. It could take up to six months for everything to be official, Adams said.
Homeowners insurance providers use the ISO’s rating to help determine rates. The township is hoping to improve its fire department’s rating to give homeowners lower insurance rates.