Approval of Agenda Motion by Schaeff and supported by Bierlein to approve the Agenda as presented. MC

Transcription

1 Denmark Township Public Hearing Water Special Assessment Roll June 13, 2012 Call to Order Supervisor Petro called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Roll Call Supervisor Petro asked Clerk Heinlein for a Roll Call of the Denmark Township Board of Trustee s: Supervisor: Don Petro present Clerk: Charles Heinlein present Treasurer: Cora Schaeff present Trustee: Myron Ortner present Trustee: Wayne R. Bierlein present Clerk Heinlein announced all members of the Denmark Township Board of Trustees were present. Pledge of Allegiance Supervisor Petro led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Approval of Agenda Motion by Schaeff and supported by Bierlein to approve the Agenda as presented. MC Clerk s Report Clerk Heinlein stated that proper notice of the Public Hearing to review the Special Assessment Roll for Project A-2010 Water Distribution System: o Was published in the Tuscola County Advertiser on Saturday, May 26, 2012 and Wednesday, June 6, o Was posted at the Denmark Township Hall on May 26, 2012 o Was mailed by first class mail to each property owner within the proposed assessment district as shown on the current tax rolls of Denmark Township on May 29, o Was posted on the Township website June 7, Affidavits of publication, posting, and mailing of the Notices for the Public Hearing regarding the Water Special Assessment Roll are now presented and will be filed as part of the record of this meeting. Supervisor s Introductions In addition to the Denmark Township Board of Trustee s, Supervisor Petro acknowledged: John McQuillan Township Legal Counsel Steve Warren Project Engineer Wilcox Jim Stockmeyer Gilford Township Supervisor Ron Avery Blumfield Reese Water Authority Ron Ebenhoeh Blumfield Reese Water Authority Engineer s Report/Recommendations Presented by Steve Warren, Project Engineer for Wilcox Two maps of the Project were presented The low bid from Erik Construction of $2,054, was accepted for the project. Fire hydrants will be 1,200 feet apart All water mains will be 8 inch Construction will include a one inch service line to the curb stop at each hookup site. 1

2 The Blumfield Reese Water Authority has a list of reputable contractors in the area that home owners may choose from to connect water to their residence from the curb stop. The project is being funded thru the USDA. Attorney s Report/Recommendations Presented by John McQuillan, Township Legal Counsel More than two years have passed since a public hearing was held to start the Water Project. The Denmark Township Board of Trustee s met and established a Special Assessment District. The USDA then became involved in the project. The purpose of the Public Hearing now, is to consider if a Special Assessment Roll should be approved for the New Water District. USDA funding for the project is available at 2.75% plus 1.0% equaling 3.75% PA-116 property owners are exempt from special assessments. Opinions of the residents will be limited to a three minute duration. General Public Comment on Special Assessment Roll Laura Ann Huizar o Request a return receipt Tom Hamer Tedford o Why weren t the residents of Pebble Creek notified? Steve Wagner o Putting a mortgage on his property o Didn t get to vote on water Charles Kurtansky o Did we get a lawyer and an engineer without asking? Lynn Koviack o Would like a copy of the minutes of the meeting held at the Fire Hall in Reese. Randy Bittner o Water is a long time in coming Grace Curtis o Pebble Creek residents cannot afford the water. Dale Odette o Former manager of Pebble Creek o Pebble Creek has four wells with good water Amy Howard o She has no problems with their current well for 40 years Gary Gilbert o Pebble Creek residents not notified of water meeting if any. o Concerned on the cost to the park if no one hooks up. Shari Bickel o Her house is being annexed to the village of Reese. o Why didn t we get a notice? Fred Boehn o Most residents in Pebble Creek are on a fixed income and cannot afford another bill. Scott Asperger o Economy is very bad o When you move into the country, you knew about country living and you will have a well. Tim Selle o Opposed to city water 2

3 Mary Martindale o Opposed to city water Margaret Countegan o The majority of the residents are opposed to water Rob Proctor o Wants water, but now is the wrong time o Cannot afford it Sandra Teddy o Not the right time for city water o How was the route established for water line? Laurie Zimmer o Would like a copy of the meeting minutes at the Reese Fire Department two years ago. Wayne Hecht o Not in the water district o Needs water for their son Vera Schian o It is a little late to ask our opinions o The first meeting in Reese, most of the people said NO Jim Countegan o Put in a new well for $10,000 Nick Costillo o Doesn t like the annexation to the village Shirley Brautigan o Pebble Creek already has water Terry Miller o Just put in a new well for almost $7, o What happens if the trailer park closes? David Miller o None of us want the water Laura Huizar o Can we have a vote on the new water district? Beth Asperger o Where does the 1% go? o What happens to the objections to water? o Where are the letters from a long time ago? o Do we have the choice of hookup? Vera Schian o Can the amount charged for water (per 1,000 gallon) go up? o Can the price for the water go over $16,900? Charles Kurtansky o If the board was elected to serve, when are you starting to serve (the residents)? Wayne Vernon Bierlein o Already has a four inch well with good water o Will pay for new water if required o If the trailer park doesn t pay, does everyone pay additional? Dale Odette o Board didn t give anyone a chance to say no! o Very unhappy with the Board! 3

4 Tom Hamer Tedford o Why are you taking our homes away? o Richville and Reese will be losing revenue from taxes. Fred Keyes o Owns four units (2 duplexes) on Quanicassee Road and M-81 o Will opt out of water if residents don t want it. Julie Malicowski o Sent in the form letter/is it legal? Close Public Comment and Hearing (8:40 pm) Motion made and supported to close the Public Comment and Hearing, and have a ten minute break. MC Board Deliberations/Decisions (8:50 pm) Supervisor Petro called the Denmark Township Board of Trustee s special meeting to order. o Petro explained the progression of events leading up to this meeting. o A Public Hearing was held two years ago/it is a matter of record. Minutes of that meeting are available. o The different parties involved are: Gilford Township, Village of Reese, Blumfield-Reese Water Authority, Denmark Township o The water project has been moving forward since August Attorney John McQuillan commented: o There is a cost recovery for current expenses if the project is turned down. o The costs would be recovered from the residents in the Special Assessment District. Engineer Steve Warren commented: o Resident question: How much would a home owner pay? o At the Special Assessment Meeting two years ago, there was little resistance to a new water district. Various questions were asked by residents, with replies given by Steve Warren, John McQuillan, and Don Petro. The Denmark Township Board established a list of residents affected by the Special Assessment District. Resident comment: All residents affected by the Water Special Assessment District should receive a registered letter or certified mail. Resident (Terry Miller) question: What are the current costs for the water district? Supervisor Petro asked the Clerk to read the Resolution for the approval of the Special Assessment Roll for Project A 2010 Water Distribution System. o Motion by Petro and supported by Schaeff to approve the resolution establishing the Special Assessment Roll for Project A-2010 Water Distribution System. o Roll call vote of the resolution as follows: Supervisor Petro Aye Clerk Heinlein Aye Treasurer Schaeff Aye Trustee Ortner Aye Trustee Bierlein Aye o The Supervisor declared the resolution duly adopted. 4

5 Public Comments: Resident comment: We want copies of all the meetings held where it talks about water under the Open Meetings Act. Resident comment: We want all information on the water system under the Freedom of Information Act. Resident comment: We all need to know more on this water tax. Resident comment: The Trailer Park assessment will need to be reduced or eliminated, or the park will close. John McQuillan explained the tax liability question. Supervisor Petro comment: All questions from the Press should be directed to him. Adjourn Motion by Bierlein and supported by Ortner to adjourn the Special Meeting of the Denmark Township Board of Trustee s. Meeting adjourned at 10:32 pm Respectfully submitted, Charles J. Heinlein Denmark Township Clerk 5