The Torch Lake Township Board met for its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 20. Treasurer Diane Zurcher was absent, as she had announced last month.
Burning Ordinance Enacted
Supervisor Brian Cadwell and the Fire Chiefs from Bootjack, Hubbell, and Dollar Bay have been working on an Outdoor and Open Burning Ordinance for our township. Last month the board voted to make the proposed ordinance available for public review and comments before passage.
The ordinance requires a locally issued permit for outside and open burning. Because of changes in the DNR procedures, this is the only way to ensure that our fire departments can learn in advance which fires are planned and controlled.
Brian explained that some typos in the proposed ordinance had been corrected. Denise Lepisto asked for clarification on when a permit, once issued, would expire. Brian stated that a burning permit would be valid for one week.
The board voted unanimously to pass the ordinance. It will be published in the DMG and copies will be available at the Hubbell Community Center.
Kurt Hauglie interviewed Brian and reported on the new ordinance in the DMG: Torch Lake Township sets burning rules.
Rice Lake Property
The board decided has now listed the lot with Josh Stein of Statewide Realty. Mr. Stein has a Forestry Degree from Michigan Tech and specializes in selling vacant land.
Reassessment
The assessors were not at the board meeting, but Brian gave a short report. Reassessment notices have been sent out and office work is continuing. Until the weather clears, no more field work will be done.
Hubbell Fire Department
Chief Don Beauchamp retired and a new Chief will be elected on March 13. New chemical detection equipment will arrive on March 31.
Deputy Treasurer Pay
Treasurer Diane Zurcher explained earlier that she was foregoing her salary for February to free up funds for a substitute during her planned vacation. The board authorized pay for 13.5 hours in January for the substitute. It is a busy time of year and the substitute is working Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The board also received a bill for $828 for 92 accumulated hours of work performed by deputy treasurer Jim Zurcher. The board declined to approve that expenditure.
In the discussion, Denise Lepisto expressed concern about the financial hardships faced by the township and the lack of available funds. Denise also looked up the regulations concerning deputy treasurer pay and determined that such pay must be approved in advance by the board.
Other Items
- Board of Review meetings were scheduled for March 10 and 12.
- Charter basic service charges will rise from $13 to $16 per month.
- A letter from Senator Levin was received and will be posted on the door of the community center.
- An addendum proposed by Clerk Karen Rovano was approved for addition to the handbook for refuse workers concerning steps to be taken when adverse weather conditions arise: The board will be notified when pickups cannot be made, and the local radio station will be alerted. Workers will receive 3 hours pay.
- The new garbage truck has a leak in the hydraulic system. The warranty expired last September.
- Dead horses were reported in Bootjack. Brian will notify the sheriff.
- The insurance representative explained that he was expecting some rate improvements for the township. He said that very few companies offer policies qualified for township purchase.
Next Board Meeting Date Changed
The next Torch Lake Township board meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26, 2008. It will take place at the Hubbell Community Center.
Note: This is one week later than originally scheduled.
Lynn Torkelson