The Torch Lake Township Board met for its monthly meeting at the Bootjack Fire Hall at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 20. All board members attended, and many issues of importance to the township were discussed and decided.
Reassessment Under Way in Hubbell
Dave Peterson of DPM Assessing gave an update on the status of Torch Lake Township's mandated reassessment. The background checks on all the team members have been done, and the teams are currently at work in Hubbell.
Because the tax maps have still not arrived from TriMedia, the reassessment teams have used maps dating back in some cases to the 1800s. Many things have changed over the years, including street names, so the lack of accurate maps has impeded their work.
However, Dave said that TriMedia has now finished the Torch Lake tax maps and is sending the maps on disks. Upon receipt of the disks, DPM will convert the images for use by the MapInfo software. Dave mentioned that TriMedia is also sending a list of discrepancies to be resolved by DPM (land with two different owners, etc.).
The reassessment teams have been well-received by residents, and everyone has been cooperating by filling in and submitting the questionaires left with property owners.
Brian commented that the team that came to his house conducted themselves very politely and professionally. The township has received no complaints about the way the reassessment is being conducted.
Dave emphasized that anyone who does have questions about the reassessment should not hesitate to phone DPM at 906-482-0144. The DMG will be publishing an article on the reassessment in the near future.
Brian gave an update on the Rice Lake property offered for sale by the township to pay for the reassessment: no serious inquiries yet, although Century 21 reports that the online listing has gotten quite a few views.
Schoolcraft Withdraws from LOST
Supervisor Brian Cadwell read aloud a letter announcing Schoolcraft Township's decision to withdraw from the LOST fire protection authority, following closely on the heels of Lake Linden's recent withdrawal. Schoolcraft Township and Lake Linden will in the future use potable water for fire-fighting purposes.
Schoolcraft's withdrawal takes effect on August 12. Brian said that a meeting is scheduled next Wednesday to determine how Torch Lake and Osceola Townships should proceed under the changed circumstances.
No Summer Tax Payments at the School
Torch Lake Treasurer Diane Zurcher announced that the County Treasurer has reinterpreted the law concerning tax collections so that Torch Lake Township property taxes cannot be paid at the school, but must be paid to the Township Treasurer.
Diane will be in the township office in the Hubbell Community Center to collect taxes every Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from July 12 through September 13. However, only taxpayers who pay cash and therefore require receipts need to pay taxes in person. Tax payments received by mail on or before the September 15 deadline will not be subject to penalty.
Diane also explained that the summer tax bills will now be on green paper and will include a notification to taxpayers that tbe state's wetland inventory has been completed (it took 30 years to do so).
White City Boat Launch Project On Hold
The Township received two communications this month concerning the boat launch project. Because the bids for the work all came in much higher than the funds available, the township had requested approval for a reduction in scope (eliminating the timber crib in the original plan).
The Parks and Recreation Division requested that the Township make a formal request to reduce the scope, which the board voted to do. The grant money will still be available for the project even with the reduced scope.
However, the DNR also wrote to say that lack of funds made it impossible for the state to provide any advance payment for the project, and would later provide a reimbursement schedule to let the township know when the grant money would be available.
Brian explained that the township would thus need to pay the contractors without knowing for sure when the grant money would become available, a situation which made him quite uncomfortable. However, the project is very important to the community and has already dragged on for too long, so Brian moved that the township proceed with the construction without any advance payment from the state. Brian's motion received a second and the discussion period began.
The board listened to input from citizens in attendance who advised the board to be very careful about spending more money, given the current situation with the reassessment costs and with the Rice Lake property unsold. No one questioned the need for the project, but everyone who spoke questioned the wisdom of committing another $20,000 with no reliable schedule for receiving the reimbursement from the state.
Brian explained that the grant was effective through 2009, so the money will not be lost if the project does not proceed this year. In the end, the motion to proceed with the White City Boat Launch project this year failed on a 5-0 vote, with Brian jokingly pointing out that he was voting against his own motion.
Board Requests Easement to Build Hazmat Storage Structure
The board reviewed two options for building a structure to house the Hazmat equipment now stored in the Our Lady of Mercy garage on a temporary basis.
The board preferred the option of building a 38x21 addition to the Hubbell Community Building. However, the addition would encroach on the old railroad right-of-way, so requires an easement from the Railroad Division of MDOT. The board voted to make a formal request for that easement. The addition will cost $24,000 to $28,000.
Scrap Metal Cleanup Set for August 7
Keweenaw Scrap Metal will pick up scrap metal and tires starting on August 7. Brian explained that the procedure will be different this year:
Curbside pickup will be done everywhere in the township this year, not just in Hubbell. Residents must put everything out by August 7, although not everything will be picked up that day. Keweenaw Scrap Metal will make only one pass by each address, and there is no way to know in advance when any particular location will be picked up.
Residents can leave any scrap metal such as cars, trailers, trucks, washers, refrigerators, and car batteries. Keweenaw Scrap Metal will pay $60 for each vehicle scrapped.
Tires will also be picked up. If the tires are on rims, the pickup will be free. Otherwise it will cost $1 for each tire.
Here's how to get unmounted tires picked up: Go to the Hubbell Community center and buy a sticker for each tire you want to be picked up. Put the stickers on the tires when you put them out August 7. Tires without stickers will not be picked up.
Also, Keweenaw Scrap Metal asks that residents leave the scrapped items back from the road (50 feet back, if possible) to discourage passing motorists from stopping to search through the items.
PCI Tax Abatement Approved
The board held a public comment period on the PCI abatement request before the board meeting and no one from the public offered comments. The new construction by PCI will add four new jobs. The board approved the tax abatement request.
Township Attorney Hired
The board hired Attorney Mike Makinen of Hancock to replace retiring Attorney Robert Daavettila. The township's new attorney has considerable experience dealing with township matters. Brian talked with board members of the other townships retaining Attorney Makinen, and all expressed satisfaction with his work.
Attorney Makinen charges $115 per hour. The board estimated that the township's attorney is needed perhaps 5-10 times per year, depending upon what is going on at the time.
The vote was 4-1 in favor of hiring Attorney Makinen, with Treasurer Diane Zurcher casting the lone dissenting vote. Diane did not elaborate on her reasons for voting against the motion.
Loud, Wild Parties at Jacobsville Beach
During public comments, Jacobsville residents asked the board to act to stop loud and rowdy beach parties that are becoming more and more frequent there. Residents have witnessed large quantities of alcohol, and the parties continue long into the early morning hours.
Brian explained that because of its remote location the police do not patrol that area routinely, but that police will respond to calls by citizens concerning such parties. Citizens can call 911 to alert the police.
Brian said he will explain the situation to both the Sheriff and the State Police, so they will be expecting such calls.
Next Meeting
The next Torch Lake Township board meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 18 at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will take place in Jacobsville.
Lynn Torkelson