Our meeting was held this morning to discuss the method of assessment for Six Mile Lake. It began at 10:00 AM and ended a little after 11:00 AM.
In attendance in Bellaire Law office of Bryan Graham were:
Bryan Graham
Bill Derenzy
Bob Christiansen
Jason Broekstra, PLM
Cherie Hogan
Dave Daniels
Dave Grimm, Assessor
Call in:
Ken Shaner
Clifford Bloom, Riparian Attorney
The meeting went fairly well and Cliff Bloom did an excellent job giving credibility to our position of recommending a per parcel cost along with David Grimm stating it is what he recommends while Jason Broekstra presented information that all PLM clients have used this same method.
Cherie and Dave presented a Echo Township map highlighted in color all lot owners who returned petitions that approved to be assessed by per parcel cost in Echo Township. That number is at approximately 69% which includes all back lots with lake access of which would be approximately 95% if only lake front owners were included.
Bill Derenzy commented that the Echo Township Board is still in favor of the per foot cost allocation and that they need to discuss it further.
Bryan Graham will investigate the statute that would allow both townships to hold joint public meetings rather than hold them individually. He will notify me (Ken Shaner) what the final position will be.
Cliff Bloom and Jason Broekstra will draw up an escrow agreement for Six Mile Lake Association to be able to provide funding for the Township’s administrative and legal costs until the Lake District is approved. They will give that information to me and Bryan Graham.
The next step is for the public hearings to be held at a predetermined location. That notice will be published 10 days prior to the scheduled meeting. Bryan Graham will publish that notice.
The final decision will be made by the Township Supervisors and it will probably be based upon the amount of positive feed back give to them by the property owners of Six Mile Lake. We need to come out in full force to meet this final hurdle. I am confident that can happen!!
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR ALL (MEMBERS AND OWNERS) TO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO ATTEND THE PUBLIC MEETINGS AND PROVIDE WRITE IN LETTERS THAT PROCLAIM WE NEED TO BE ASSESSED ON A PER PARCEL BASIS SO THAT NO DOUBT WILL BE LEFT IN THE DECISION PROCESS BY THE SUPERVISORS. IT ISN’T ENOUGH JUST BECAUSE WE SIGNED THE PETITION.
We are right at the top of the mountain with the peak clearly in sight. A lot of work in a short period of time needs to be done.
Thanks for your support .
Ken Shaner