TRAVERSE CITY — An overflow crowd of about 400 people accomplished what a lawsuit could not: a temporary halt to a proposed special assessment on properties with septic tanks.
Residents filled the Garfield Township meeting room Tuesday night, flowing into the second floor hallway, down the stairs, around the lobby and out the door to the parking lot.
Some residents said they attended the hearing just to get information, but most were there to protest the tax assessment.
And many were irate.
"They are trying to rip us off for something they shouldn't have gotten us involved with in the first place," said Ron Kullgren of Blair Township.
A lawsuit filed Monday by nine townships against the Grand Traverse County Board of Public Works failed to stop Tuesday's public hearing from proceeding, but the size of the crowd in a room meant for 200 forced the BPW to postpone it.
The hearing is the first step toward levying an assessment that would range from $19 to $31 per year over the next 20 years on parcels with septic tanks. The assessment would help cover the cost to maintain and operate the county septage treatment plant, which will lose an estimated $200,000 or more a year without it.
The postponement could prevent the BPW from meeting its tight timeline to put the assessment on winter tax bills, forcing it to wait until 2013.
"Rescheduling was the right thing, the only thing we could do," said Wayne Kladder, Acme Township supervisor and a member of the BPW. "These people here to speak have a right to hear what others say as well as speak themselves."
The BPW also canceled its informational meetings scheduled for this week until it decides what to do.
"We have to regroup and consider the next step," said Jack Kelly, Elmwood Township supervisor and BPW member.
The board did not set a date to reconvene the hearing.
Gary Cox of East Bay Township said officials say the tax will be an average of $25, but once approved he believes it will soon hit $35 and keep rising.
"They won't keep it the same, it will keep going up," Cox said. "Why should we pay more."
The BPW does propose to drop the per-gallon charge from 12 cents a gallon to 6 cents once the special assessment goes into effect, but that only saves the average homeowner if they pump twice every five years.
Most pump less often.
"I don't want the government telling me how to take care of my septic system," said Gene Ballew of East Bay Township. "We have a choice to make on our own, it's our right, and we don't need to be paying more taxes."
Region
Related Photos
-
Hundreds of people wait in a line that snaked through the lobby and out the front door of the Garfield Township Hall for a public hearing on a special property tax assessment on properties with septic tanks. Traverse City Record-Eagle/Jan-Michael Stump
Overflow turnout nixes meeting
-
-
Traverse City steps up parking enforcement
Barb Meredith recently had an expensive downtown Traverse City breakfast, but not from anything on the restaurant’s menu.
Continued ... -
Snyder, GOP lawmakers agree to budget targets
Republican Gov. Rick Snyder and leaders of the GOP majority in the Legislature reached a budget agreement Tuesday for next fiscal year that doesn’t include an expansion of government health insurance for low income-adults and puts Michigan’s unexpected surplus toward funding roads and K-12 education.
Continued ... -
TCAPS contract talks continue
Traverse City Area Public Schools educators picketed outside the district’s main office building in a display of opposition to TCAPS administrators’ proposed collective bargaining contract.
Continued ... -
Panera Bread is on its way
A Panera Bread franchise likely will rise in Garfield Township despite what some planning officials consider a stale project design.
Continued ... -
Woman retraces father's steps to Indian marker trees
Dennis Downes traveled 200,000 miles over three decades, a journey to locate Indian trail tree markers around the Great Lakes, including two in Traverse City – one at the Civic Center and another at a Washington Street residence.
Continued ... -
Police looking into assault find 960 pot plants
Investigation into a domestic assault complaint led Antrim County authorities to a "sophisticated" marijuana grow operation and nearly 1,000 plants.
Continued ... -
Man gets prison for heroin possession
An Antrim County man found in possession of about 20 packets of heroin will spend at least 18 months in prison.
Continued ... - Tuesday, May 21, 2013
-
Bear sighted at Mancelona Middle School
Chad Culver, the school's principal, spied the large mammal on Monday about 9 a.m. when he looked out his window as he met with a teacher.
Continued ... -
Property owners sue over flooding
A group of Boardman River property owners filed a lawsuit over removal of the Brown Bridge Dam, saying their property values dropped when the river’s water levels rose.
Continued ... -
TCL&P may spend $15K on land it doesn't want
The city’s electric utility will spend up to $15,000 on a piece of property it hopes to never own — just in case public opposition foils its preferred location for an electrical substation.
Continued ... -
Teens admit to lewd elevator act
Traverse City police are investigating a report of sexual contact between two teens in a Traverse City Central High School elevator.
Continued ... -
Fired Munson clinic employee settles lawsuit
A former Munson Medical Center worker recently settled a lawsuit that alleged her civil rights were violated when she was fired from her job at an HIV-AIDS clinic.
Continued ... -
Free yard waste drop-off offered in Garfield
Garfield Township residents can dispose of yard waste for free starting later this month. No-charge waste passes will be available at Garfield Township Hall starting today through June 4.
Continued ... -
Forecast: More storms followed by cool temps
Meteorologists say to expect more severe thunderstorms coming through the Grand Traverse region.
Continued ... -
TC resident wins $5K Art Van Award of Hope
Cecilia Chesney, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan, received $5,000 for her organization and was given the chance to compete for an additional $25,000 through the Art Van Charity Challenge.
Continued ... - Monday, May 20, 2013
-
Family of woman killed by drunk driver: 'It's just not fair'
Paul Shafer had questions for the drunk driver who killed his wife and mother of his three children. Did he know what it's like to take his children to a graveyard on Mother's Day? Did he know what it's like to have a young daughter ask, "'I don't have a mommy anymore?'"
Continued ... -
Severe weather possible this afternoon
The spring’s first severe weather could hit the Grand Traverse region today.
Continued ... -
Sewer rates likely to rise for city residents
City homeowners can expect their base sewer charge to jump over 6 percent beginning in July under a budget proposal before the city commission.
Continued ... -
Great weather draws thousands to NMC Barbecue
Mother Nature dished up a glorious day for the Northwestern Michigan College Barbecue, the college's annual fundraiser that attracts thousands to its wooded campus.
Continued ... -
A chance to learn about Peace Ranch
The Senior Center Network and Peace Ranch are partnering for a Spring Hoedown, with square dancing and live entertainment.
Continued ... -
Leelanau center upgrades old building
The Leelanau Community Cultural Center is keeping stride with modern technology while maintaining the original vintage charm of its Old Art Building.
Continued ... -
Northern Notes: Visitor seeks car ferry photos for DVD
Frequent northern Michigan vacationer Ted Hayes has put his love for the area into poetry and song and is moving forward with his second DVD featuring the area.
Continued ... - Sunday, May 19, 2013
-
New TC manager earned his gray along the way
Jered Ottenwess described himself during his interview for Traverse City manager as soft-spoken, lacking years of experience and perhaps not the most charismatic person.
Continued ... -
Ex-oil exec sees perilous energy future for U.S.
America is headed for an energy crisis filled with power blackouts and gasoline shortages, making today’s gas prices something to fear for in coming years.
Continued ... -
Townships settle 12-year-old lawsuit with Cherryland
Three holdout local townships finally settled a drawn-out tax dispute with Cherryland Electric Cooperative prior to a full hearing before the Michigan Supreme Court.
Continued ...
-
