Your Township Board
Supervisor
Ralph Robarge
231-546-3959
Clerk
Susan Schaedig
(989)-732-2920
Treasurer
Diane Purgiel
(989)-732-4446
Trustee
Leonard Skop
231-546-3659
Trustee
Theresa Plachta
231-546-3834
Assessor
Jill Kassuba
(989)-983-3993
Commissioner
Allan Bentz
231-546-3341
When calling your township board members, please keep in mind that their offices are in their homes to better serve the residents. Please do not call on Sundays, holidays, or late in the evenings.
Board Meetings
Regular township board meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month at the township hall (2035 Mt. Jack Rd., Elmira) at 7:00pm.
WE NEED YOU!
Elmira Township is forming a township planning commission to aid the township board in planning for future growth and development.
This planning commission will be a recommending body to the township board. The planning commission will create a master plan* for Elmira Township and make recommendations on variances and rezoning issues.
If you are interested in a planning commission position, please contact any of the board members. We are looking for four people along with one township board member to be on the township planning commission.
The term of each member is as follows: 1 or 2 one-year terms, 1 or 2 two-year terms, and 1 three-year term. After each of these terms has expired, all positions will be a three-year term.
Each member will receive $50.00 per meeting.
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Roads
In our last township newsletter, we mentioned that Hallenius Road from North Townline Road to M-32 was to be upgraded, widened, and tar and chipped. This project was completed this last summer.
This year, the last mile of North Townline Road is going to be upgraded widened and paved. The cost of this project is $96,536.00. In 1998 and 1999, the road commission and local residents approached the Elmira Township board about upgrading this portion of road. At that time, due to funding, Elmira Township was not interested in the project and decided to address the upgrade in a couple of years. Since that time, two gravel pits have opened at the end of this road and they are sharing in the cost of the upgrade. This upgrade will be constructed to withstand truck traffic. The breakdown of the contributions is as follows:
Elmira
Twp
$20,816.00
Livingston Twp
$20,816.00
Manthei, Inc.
$8,560.00
H&D, Inc.
$18,896.00
Otsego Co. Rd.
$27,448.00
Even though upgrading roads is the responsibility of the road commission, due to their lack of funding, they require 75% of the project to be paid by the township. Since North Townline Road divides Livingston and Elmira Townships, both townships share the township portion.
Tax Bills
You should always check your tax bill immediately for errors. The board of review only meets for a short period of time. Once the board of review closes, all errors will not be corrected until the following December’s board of review. You will be responsible for paying the tax bill on time or you will be subjected to late fees and penalties if your tax bill goes delinquent.
If you have any questions regarding homesteads* or taxable values* (the taxable value multiplied by the county and state millages is the amount of your tax bill) the township assessor, Jill Kassuba, can answer them.
*See list of terms
Elmira Township has one annual tax bill. Tax bills are mailed on December 1 of every year.
Assessment Change Notices
As with tax bills, you should open your assessment change notice immediately. The assessment change notice informs the taxpayer of their taxable value* for the next tax season.
*See list of terms
Miscellaneous News
Last year, Elmira Township purchased the block north of the township hall in case of any future expansions of the fire hall. The house foundation and well were removed and the rest of the lot has been cleaned, leveled and seeded. Also, the Elmira Township hall has had some renovations. We had the stucco walls removed and re-sided them with vinyl siding. The roof was also re-shingled.
Last April, Elmira and Warner Townships sponsored an honors banquet for the firefighters, EMS unit, and the retirees. The retirees were given gold badges for their years of dedication and service.
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EMS and Firefighters Needed
Your local Fire Department and EMS Unit rely on volunteers. If you have time to give to your community and would like to be a firefighter or on the EMS unit, call Fire Chief, Ken Figiel at 546-3986. Training will be provided.
Your Fire Board Members:
Ralph Robarge
Carl Essenmacher
Lee Curry
Dale Larson
Jerry Dobrzlewski
Ken Figiel, Fire Chief
Don Franckowiak, Asst. Chief
Diane Franckowiak, EMS Coordinator
Firefighters:
Allen Brown
Don Cherry
Ed Coon
Jeremiah Coon
Isadore Dzwik
Ken Figiel
Stephanie Figiel
Greg Hanes
Allan Franckowiak
Scott Niedling
Diane Franckowiak Kevin
Pratt
Don Franckowiak
Don Smith
Peggy Kennedy
Eric Kennedy
Norbert Puroll
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LIST OF TERMS
Assessed Value-50% of the total true cash value of your property.
Taxable Value(TV)-The total that you are taxed on. This amount multiplied by the millage rates of our county, township, and state, equals the total amount of taxes due.
State Equalized Value(SEV)-To
establish an equal amount of assessment increase within 50% across the
state. This process
establishes a statewide ‘checks and balance’ system.
Homestead/Farmland Exemption-If you qualify, such as your primary residence, or agricultural property, you would be exempt from the school operating millage of 18 mills. An exemption form must be on file to receive this exemption. The assessor handles the exemption filings.
May 1st is the deadline for all homestead exemptions for that years tax bill.
Property Transfer Affidavit-If you purchase a piece of property, you must fill out a property transfer affidavit within 45 (forty-five) days of the purchase. If you fail to do so, a $200.00 fine may be assessed on your tax bill. This form is available from your closing agent or any township assessor. When the form is completed, mail it to the township assessor of the township where the property was purchased.
December Board of Review-To correct any mutual mistakes and/or clerical errors, such as homestead exemptions. Homestead exemptions can only be corrected at the December board of review. The December board of review is only held if needed. If you feel an error was made on your tax bill, contact the assessor immediately. If the assessor does not receive any requests for corrections, there will not be a board of review.July Board of Review-This board of review is only for townships that levy summer taxes. Our township does not have a July board of review.
March Board of Review-This board of review is to review and change any assessment or classification differences between the taxpayer and the assessor that arise from the assessment change notices. Remember to check your assessment change notice immediately.
The 2001 March board of review dates are: March 12th 9:00am to 3:00pm
March 15th 3:00pm to 9:00pm
**Note: If you are representing another taxpayer, you must have written and signed authorization from the taxpayer.
Ten minutes will be allotted to each petitioner.
Petitioners must complete a petition form before meeting with the board of review. The petition forms will be available at the board of review or by calling the township assessor or the township supervisor.
Uncapping-Property transferred to another person, i.e. sold, quick claim deed, change of ownership etc.
The new taxable value will be changed (uncapped) to the state equalized value (SEV).
Master Plan-An official statement of goals and policies that expresses a vision for the orderly and desirable future development of the community.
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Treasurer-The Elmira Township Treasurer’s office is in her home. If you would like to make a payment in person, please call in advance to make sure someone will be available to collect your payment.
The treasurer only has set office hours on Friday’s in December from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Feel free to call her at her residence within reasonable hours Monday through Saturday. 989-732-4446. 1404 N. Townline Rd. Gaylord, MI 49735
Assessor-Elmira’s Township assessor is Jill Kassuba. Jill assesses the property and calculates what your assessed and taxable values are. Jill’s office is also in her home. Feel free to call her at her home within reasonable hours, Monday through Saturday. 989-983-3993 P.O. Box 334, Vanderbilt, MI 49795
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