The Torch Lake Township Board met for its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 27. The meeting was held at the Osceola Township Building in Dollar Bay. All board members were present.
Township Finances
Last month Treasurer Diane Zurcher improved the rates received on the garbage fund by converting the checking account into a sweep account at Range Bank. She reported that the account is now earning 1.74%, where before it had earned nothing.
Billing for Garbage Fees
Supervisor Brian Cadwell discussed the issue of Garbage Fees being collected on the tax bills instead of separately. Former Supervisor Andrew Murtagh had raised that point at the Board of Review, as he posted here last month.
Brian explained that the billing was done that way for the convenience of residents, and that the township auditor told him that other townships do likewise. However, Brian plans to obtain a ruling from Township Attorney Makinen on the legality of the billing approach.
Reassessment Status
Diane announced that 15 to 20 people bringing in tax payments said that they had not received the forms to fill out regarding the interiors of homes being reassessed. Matt Arko asked Diane to get the names of everyone who might say that to her in the future, so he can get the forms to those missing them.
Matt explained that the doorknob-hanging forms were to be left at every home, and he was not aware of any that were missed. Still, it would be possible that some had blown away or have otherwise been lost. Matt knows who was responsible for distributing the forms in each area, and needs to know if they were not distributed in some areas.
Those forms are necessary for a correct reappraisal. Without the information on the forms the assessors must guess at the interior improvements. Matt emphasized that it is much to the advantage of each parcel owner to provide accurate information.
The new cards for each parcel will go out with the December tax bills. Taxpayers will have 3 months to review the information before the Board of Review meets.
Matt also described some technical problems with data from TriMedia not matching actual locations. They are working to resolve those problems.
Blight Elimination Ordinance
Brian proposed a new blight elimination ordinance based on a model ordinance of that type. After a review of the wording with the township attorney, the board will consider adopting it.
Other Items
- Clerk Karen Rovano attended a QuickBooks training session.
- The Refuse committee has still not received a review of the work agreement from the township attorney.
- New signs were prepared for the parks at White City and Hubbell.
- The incline dam screen is to be replaced in October.
- The board approved $1500 for a furnace for the Hubbell Fire Department.
Next Board Meeting
The next Torch Lake Township board meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 17, 2008. It will take place at the Hubbell Community Center.
Lynn Torkelson