The Torch Lake Township Board met for its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 22. The meeting was held at the Hubbell Community Building. All board members were present.

Blight Elimination Ordinance

Supervisor Brian Cadwell received two versions of a blight elimination ordinance from Township Attorney Mike Makinen. One was a slightly reworded version of the model ordinance originally selected by Brian. The other was an expanded version with more details about what constitutes a condition of blight, such as damaged vehicles and structures or remnants of structures.

Brian recommended the expanded version, and the board passed it unanimously.

The new ordinance will be published and will take effect in 30 days. In describing the township's plans to enforce the blight elimination ordinance, Brian emphasized that enforcement would not be heavy-handed. People will be encouraged to tidy up blighted areas to improve the quality of life in our township, and to protect everyone's property values. The ordinance will be employed only when encouragement fails to achieve results.

Universal Billing for Garbage Fees

Brian is still working with Mike Makinen on the legal aspects of making all residential parcels responsible for paying for garbage collection, with no option to opt out. On parcels with multiple residents, a separate fee will be charged for each residence.

Treasurer Diane Zurcher pointed out that the ordinance must be passed in November so that everyone is billed properly in December.

Township Finances

In recognition of the current finance and banking problems, Diane explained that all of the township's accounts are safely invested. She is investigating the possibility of online payment of some of the township's regular bills.

About 300 of 2500 parcels did not pay summer taxes on time. After February, the county collects the delinquencies, which slows the receipt of the money by the township. Diane prefers to send reminders to encourage slow payers to settle up before February.

Reappraisal Status

Michigan's Deputy Treasurer has scheduled a trip to Torch Lake Township to check on the reappraisal of random parcels. Matt Arko thought that the state is likely interested in seeing what a small township can accomplish in this area. He looks forward to the visit.

Matt also explained that he's going to provide a sheet of information about each parcel to be sent with the December tax bills. The information sheet will be sent instead of the actual card for the parcel because the card is full of codes that many property owners don't understand. The information sheet will be self-explanatory.

Matt also mentioned that the assessors' new office is in the old Kauppi Oil Building on M-26, just right of the bridge.

WUPPDR has offered to maintain the County's tax maps for a yearly fee of $20,000. Torch Lake Township's share amounts to $900 per year, about 30 cents per parcel. This will keep the maps up to date and in use.

White City Boat Launch

Brian reported that funding has again become available for the White City Boat Launch project. This had originally been estimated to cost about $20 thousand, but the best bid for the work was $34 thousand. The grant requires a 25% local match. The board voted to request an additional $15 thousand to reflect the actual cost of the project.

Hubbell Burn Pile

In response to complaints about tires and wet, smoldering carpeting in the Hubbell burn pile, which is intended for excess brush and yard clippings, the Hubbell Fire Department is looking for a new site. In the meantime, a sign will be put up reminding folks of the purpose of the brush pile, and an effort will be made to secure it.

Currently the HFD volunteers, before setting the pike on fire, do remove tires, carpets, and so on that are visible. However, items left underneath the pile continue to create problems.

Public Comment

Lawrence Jukuri requested that the monthly treasurer's reports include outstanding debts as well as account balances.

Other Items

• The board voted $1,600 to hire Sarazin Logging to clear the Bootjack Fire Hall parking lot over the winter. The bid was $50 higher than last year.
• Eight new tires were needed for the refuse truck. Torch Lake Township's share of the bill is $1,900.
• The new refuse agreement with Schoolcraft Township has been signed by both township supervisors.
• The board voted $1,500 to purchase two new heaters for the Hubbell Fire Hall, one for the new addition and the other to replace the old heater.
• The board voted to transfer the liquor license for Al's Supper Club to Superior National Bank, the new owner of the property.

Next Board Meeting

The next Torch Lake Township board meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 19, 2008. It will take place at the Hubbell Community Center.

Lynn Torkelson