The Torch Lake Township Board met for its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16. The meeting was held at the Jacobsville Community Building. All board members were present.

Township Finances

Treasurer Diane Zurcher improved the rates received on the garbage fund by converting the checking account into a sweep account at Range Bank. All township tax bills were sent out the first week of this month.

Supervisor Brian Cadwell reported that Michigan townships will receive no increase in revenue sharing from the state this year, but that the amount will remain the same as last year. Earlier predictions had been that revenue sharing might actually drop because of the state's budgetary problems.

Refuse Committee
 

Clerk Karen Rovano has yet to receive a response from the township's attorney regarding the proposed refuse collection work agreement. She will call to inquire about the status of the review.

Township Parks

The Parks Committee visited both the Hubbell and White City parks to gather information needed to update the township's recreation plan to be updated this fall.

The board approved paying $1000 to WuPPDR to update the township's 5-year recreation plan. The budget had originally allocated $500 for this purpose, but that was for a quick, less extensive revision of the plan. The additional $500 will come from the operations budget.

Brian has sent a letter to law enforcement officials to alert them again to ongoing problems at the White City Park.

Unruly Campers and ATV Drivers

Citizens attending the board meeting brought up additional law enforcement problems and public nuisances.

Several tents full of people camped on a private beach near Sunset Road over the July 4 holiday, cutting trees and building a large fire pit. They left behind garbage and fire hazards. Brian will alert law enforcement, but the property owner has responsibility for controlling who has access to the land.

Others, including Diane Zurcher and Lawrence Jukuri, reported close calls with 4-wheelers driving recklessly at 50-60 miles per hour and going right through stop signs. This has happened in areas where young children are playing.

Brian will talk with the sheriff about this problem also, and will investigate installing caution signs to alert drivers about areas where children play.

Reassessment Status

Dave Peterson reported that office work is continuing, and the resulting cards will be mailed with the December tax bills.

Land Donation

The owners of about 8 acres of land in the Village of Sandstone notified Brian of their wish to donate the parcel to Torch Lake Township when they die. They are working with the Keweenaw Land Trust, and the donation would be on condition that the land remain natural, except for a nature trail through it. Brian is looking into the ramifications of the offer.

Fire Departments

The board voted to amend the budget to add a line item for the FEMA grant received by the Bootjack FRD.

The Hubbell Fire Department expansion is done except for paint and siding. The HVFD received a FEMA grant for new tanks, and has also applied for DNR equipment grants. The board approved $9300 for a compressor and the required 5% match for the FEMA grant.

The July 4 celebration in Hubbell was successful and safe.

In a public ceremony at the end of the meeting, the board honored the long and faithful service to the HVFD of Edmund and Don Beauchamp. Brian presented each with an official resolution listing his many contributions. Don mentioned some of the HVFD's achievements over the past years and stated that he's leaving the department in good hands.

Other Items

• The board authorized Quick Books training for the township clerk and any other board member who may wish to attend. (The tuition is the same no matter how many board members attend.)
• The new water authority will receive a preliminary engineering report on the work needed.
• A links section will be added to the township website at no additional charge to the township.

Next Board Meeting

The next Torch Lake Township board meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 27, 2008. It will take place at the Osceola Township Building in Dollar Bay.

Note: The August board meeting will be held on the fourth Wednesday of the month instead of the usual third Wednesday.

Lynn Torkelson