The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Board looks at fire hall
Officials discuss ways to collect back taxes
By Dave Wak, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: May 1, 2008
After nearly seven years of discussion and tentative planning, Augusta Township is not anywhere near achieving a major goal of building a new fire hall.
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At the Board of Trustees April 22 meeting, board members Bill Tobler, and Assistant Fire Chief Thomas Rollins spoke about some of the realities in getting the project moving.
Tobler recently spoke with members of the planning commission about the process. He said the township will first have to line up its finances then get the public informed about the need for a new fire hall. This could be done through a series of open house events to make residents aware of the issue and the likely need for a millage to pay for it.
Rollins said getting a new millage to build the fire hall might be a hard sell for the public.
"I don't think we'll get a millage passed right now," Rollins said.
He pointed out with the state of the Michigan economy, the township shouldn't even think about getting a new hall until 2011 or later.
He suggested the board form a subcommittee with officials of other townships that recently built fire halls like Superior and Van Buren Townships.
Thomas pointed out that some of the plans for previous fire halls were seven years old and that the township needed to "fine tune" plans over a period of two years or so.
He also said the board needed to quit fighting over how to go about building the hall and get united behind the effort suggesting they consult with township fire department officials during the process.
Treasurer Lynda Dew also discussed ways for the township to collect delinquent property taxes, an issue the board has been wrestling with for the last few months.
Dew said the township was owed $147,000 in delinquent property taxes. Dew suggested several strategies for collecting the money.
She suggested those owing less than $3,000 could be taken to small claims court, while those owing more than $3,000 might be taken to either civil or circuit court.
Dew said, however, she wanted to avoid court altogether because of legal costs to the township. She said she preferred it if residents owing taxes could be informed and come down to township hall and work out a payment program.
"Of course we need to look at the entire picture," Dew said.
Dew said the board would have to consult with Township Attorney Doug Winters before acting. She also said some of the taxes owed might be from residents that have moved away or businesses that have gone under.
Dave Wak is an Ypsilanti resident and freelance writer for The Courier. He can be reached at dwak4@hotmail.com.
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