The Torch Lake Township Board met for its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26. The board meeting was preceded by a public hearing on the 2008 Budget, which began at 6:00 p.m. All board members were present for both meetings.
Millage Rates
Supervisor Brian Cadwell presented the millage rates for the 2008-2009 budget. Here is a chart comparing this year's rates with those of last year:
| Millage Rate |
2007 |
2008 |
| General Operations |
1.2355 |
1.1890 |
| Hubbell Fire |
2.0000 |
1.8592 |
| Bootjack Fire |
1.0000 |
0.8437 |
| Pt. Fire |
0.5100 |
0.5100 |
During the board meeting after the hearing, the board approved the new millage rates.
2008-2009 Budget
Handouts were available with the details of the new township budget. Here are the major categories:
| EXPENSE |
|
REVENUE |
|
| Township Board |
46,630 |
State Distributions |
138,080 |
| Assessing/BOR |
67,620 |
Township Revenue |
111,500 |
| Employee Benefits |
6,500 |
Charges for Services |
10,000 |
| Insurances |
26,562 |
Interest & Rents |
4,950 |
| Building Operations |
20,900 |
|
|
| Fire Protection |
23,750 |
|
|
| Public Works |
34,750 |
|
|
| Utilities |
19,000 |
|
|
| Parks/Recreation |
3,500 |
|
|
| Technology |
2,538 |
|
|
| Miscellaneous |
12,780 |
|
|
| TOTAL |
264,530 |
TOTAL |
264,530 |
The new budget contains a 3.5% increase for the supervisor, treasurer, and clerk, the first increase in three years. Brian mentioned that the state revenue disributions are tentative because of the state's financial difficulties. He also pointed out that the township has borrowed money from special funds to pay for the reassessment, and that money will have to be repaid to those funds.
Lawrence Jukuri inquired whether DPM Assessing had reduced its charges to the township because the reassessment teams did not inspect the interiors of homes and other buildings. Brian explained that the contract with DPM Assessing did not provide for doing interior inspections.
Brian also reviewed the proposed budgets for the six special funds: Garbage, Water, HVFD Special Assessment, Little Traverse Bay Special Assessment, Dollar Bay Fire Truck Special Assessment, and BJVFD Special Assessment.
Reassessment Status
Brian stated that the field work is 96% done and will be completed when weather permits. Office work continues.
New Bootjack Fire Station Proposed
Chief Dan Sarazin presented tentative plans for building a new fire station near the location of the existing Bootjack station. The proposed building would be much larger, and would be located to permit safer and more convenient exit and rentry of the equipment. The goal is to create a facility that will suffice for the next 50-75 years, and that will be as energy efficient as possible.
The project would involve two phases. Phase I, $450 thousand, would build a new facility to house equipment. Phase II, $125 thousand, would build a new meeting and training facility. All of the funds would be raised by the BJFR Foundation.
Dan explained that some substantial donations were available, but that those funds were contigent on the assurance that the project would truly go forward. Some land acquisition would be needed, but Dan said that the property owner is willing to cooperate with the project.
Dan also explained that the township would actually own the new fire station, so he needed assurances from the board that ownership would be accepted. Brian asked for an estimate of the heating and utility costs of the new building. The estimated costs are $4,500 compared with $3,800 for the old building. The energy efficiency of the new building would hold down the increase in those costs even though the new building will be much larger.
Brian explained that the existing building would be remodeled for use as a community center. The large doors would be replaced.
Brian will check with the township's attorney to make certain that there are no legal difficulties with accepting the new facility, and will review the comparative heating and utility costs. At the April board meeting (only three weeks hence) Brian will be ready with his recommendation to the board.
Burning Ordinance Revised
Brian reviewed the Burn Ordinance passed last month with the DNR and the fire chiefs. After the review, some wording changes were needed, so the board passed a revised version of the ordinance. The new ordinance will not require a permit for outdoor fire equipment designed to heat the interior of buildings.
The DNR will no longer issue burn permits for Torch Lake Township. Its website will direct visitors to the proper township officials, providing the appropriate phone numbers.
Deputy Treasurer Reimbursement
Treasurer Diane Zurcher brought up the matter of the work done by deputy treasurer Jim Zurcher last year. During the February board meeting, the board had declined to authorize payment for the bill submitted for the work performed by Jim.
Diane explained that Jim had located delinquent garbage fees that far exceeded the amount of the bill for his work. She also pointed out that the township did not have to pay Houghton County for work now being handled by the township. Furthermore, bills for Jim's work had been paid by the township in previous years without pre-approval, so she had no reason to believe that pre-approval was required.
Diane also stated that the workload during busy periods was impossible for one person to handle working two days per week. She contacted other townships of comparable size and learned that they all used deputy treasurers for assistance during those periods.
Brian pointed out that the previous township budgets had included $100 for deputy treasurer expenses, but that the present bill far exceeded that amount, and therefore needed pre-approval. Trustee Denise Lepisto emphasized that the township just does not have the money available. Diane proposed that the board defer paying the bill for Jim's work until the Rice Lake property is sold. Clerk Karen Rovano observed that the substitute treasurer in January and February seemed to handle the workload without assistance.
The board declined to take any further action on the matter.
Public Zoning Meeting
Brian read correspondence from the Houghton County Planning Commission regarding a public meeting concerning the value of zoning as protection for property owners.
Time: Thursday, April 3, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Place: Lakeview Manor, Hancock
Everyone is invited to attend and participate.
Meeting Schedule
As a rule, the Torch Lake Township board will continue to meet regularly on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. There are three exceptions because Supervisor Cadwell cannot attend at that time in August, October, and March. For those months, the board will meet on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
Meetings will be in Hubbell except for the following months:
June - Bootjack
July - Jacobsville
August - Point Mills
December - Bootjack
The location of the Point Mills meeting will be determined later.
Other Items
- The board approved a resolution honoring the service of George Beveridge. The resolution will be inscribed on a nice wooden plaque for presentation in a ceremony on Saturday.
- Dave Gariepy was elected new chief of the Hubbell Volunteer Fire Department.
- Upon a request from Dan Sarazin, the board agreed to pay bills covered under the 2006 FEMA grant as soon as FEMA deposits the funds in the township account.
- The township will receive $75 per ton for scrap metal collected during the spring cleanup this year. The board will be working on the schedule and locations.
- Houghton County will pave the Jacobsville-White City road in 2008. The Rice Lake and Mud Lake road work is scheduled for 2011.
- Upon a request from Clerk Karen Rovano, the board approved paying utility bills and payroll as they come due, without waiting for monthly approval from the board.
- The new garbage truck caught fire on February 29. The fire was caused by a short circuit in the electrical system.
Next Board Meeting
The next Torch Lake Township board meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16, 2008. It will take place at the Hubbell Community Center.
Lynn Torkelson