Preparations for the upcoming winter - including the purchase of a new furnace and setting the December millage rate - were made last week by the Centerville Township Board.

West Bay Sheet Metal of Cedar had the lowest of four bids, $1,695, for a new gas furnace at the township hall. The highest bid was $3,800.

Township officials agreed to get a new gas-powered furnace earlier this year after vandals opened the fuel storage tank at the hall and released fuel oil onto the ground’s surface.

The new furnace is expected to be installed within 30 days, Supervisor Leonard Kelenski said.

In anticipation of the Dec. 1 tax bills, the board approved a resolution to levy 0.5899 mills for operations and fire and rescue services. Centerville and Solon townships operate the Cedar Fire Department jointly. Solon’s contribution toward the department comes from an additional millage. To this point, Centerville has been able to take its contribution from the 1-mill allocated millage.

The December levy is rolled back from last year’s levy of 0.6008 mills as a result of the Headlee Amendment to the state Constitution. It will generate an estimated $50,133 for the township this year. Centerville also collects a 1 percent tax administration fee, which generates about $24,000.

In other business during the regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 12, the board:

• Learned the township park will be closed at the end of the month;

• Agreed to participate with other townships in the defense of Cherryland Electric Cooperative’s appeal of personal property taxes on properties throughout the county.