Torch Lake continues property reassessment
By Kurt Hauglie, DMG WriterDOLLAR BAY - The reassessment data of Torch Lake Township collected last summer is being compiled, but some people who haven't filled out the questionnaire for the project may be offered another chance to do so.
At the regular meeting of the Torch Lake Township board of trustees conducted in the Osceola Township hall Wednesday, Matt Arko of DPM Assessing Services of Hancock, said many people have come to his office to fill out the questionnaires, which describe the makeup of individual properties.
Diane Zucher, township treasurer, said many residents have come into the township office in Hubbell to say they didn't receive the questionnaires, which were placed on the doors of houses last year.
"Fifteen to 20 people have either called or come in to say they haven't gotten one," she said.
Arko said as far as he knows, all properties did receive the questionnaires, but it's possible some may have blown off the doors or may have been intentionally removed by someone.
Arko said he will contact property owners who haven't filled out the forms yet to offer them the opportunity to fill them out.
"It's up to the board if they want us to send them out again," he said.
Some people refuse to fill out the forms saying it's an invasion of privacy, but for those who don't fill them out, Arko will have to do it himself and estimate what the property may contain.
"If you don't return the questionnaire, all I can do is guess," Arko said.
"To be quite honest, I'm going to guess on the high end."
Arko said there has been a problem with some photographs of property not matching the data for the property done by TriMedia Consultants of Marquette, who are doing the tax mapping process of all of Houghton County.
However, Arko said that kind of problem is to be expected with such a large project, and it will be remedied.
In other business, Township Supervisor Brian Cadwell said he's found an existing ordinance from a another community which could work as a model for Torch Lake Township. He'd like the township attorney to develop a draft blight ordinance the board can review at its September meeting.
There are a few unsightly properties in the township, but before any action can be taken on them, a blight ordinance has to be adopted, Cadwell said.
The board unanimously approved allowing the township attorney to develop a blight ordinance.
Kurt Hauglie can be reached at khauglie@mininggazette.com
