Ensley Township in Newaygo County MI

Ensley Township Newsletter

March 2003

Paid for by the General Fund

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Important Message from the Treasurer

Concerning Summer Taxes

Clean-up Days

On Friday, April 18 and Saturday, April 19, the annual clean up will take place from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the township hall. There is no charge for rubbish, furniture, scrap metal, building materials (no concrete,) or fuel oil tanks. There is a minimal fee for batteries, appliances, propane tanks, car tires, truck tires, or tractor tires.
Fencing must be flattened and folded. Barrels must have one end opened or full of holes. Fuel oil tanks must be cut in half. There is no free pick up of junk cars or other items. No liquid, hazardous waste or yard waste. This includes paint.
Please have your driver’s license or other identification with you to show the attendant

Building Inspector News

A reminder that building permits may take a few days to process, so please call in advance and before starting any work. Also, a final inspection needs to be done before you use a newly reconstructed, or newly built building. This is a state code.
Mr. Boluyt is at the township hall on Thursday’s from 4-6 PM or by appointment.

Construction Board of Appeals

The township board is looking for three qualified people to serve on a newly created board. They must have experience or training in construction and/or electrical, and a working knowledge of the codes. If you are interested, please contact Richard Bergman at 636-5151.

Road Projects 2003

New construction will begin on Beech Avenue between 104th and 112th Street this spring. 112th Street between Cypress and Elm will be blacktopped. Reseal projects will be decided after the spring thaw.

Crime Watch News

Each month there is a different speaker scheduled for the meetings. Bob Mendham, our Crime Watch officer, reports about area break-ins or crimes that happen in our area at our meetings. They are held the third Tuesday of each month at 7:30 PM at the hall.

April 15 Evidence Technician
May 20 Fire Marshall
June 17 Alzheimer’s Program
July County Picnic at White Cloud
August 19 Mediation
September 16 Crime Lab Tour
October 21 Home Security
November 18 K – 9
December Happy Holidays
This schedule may change due to conflicts.

Ensley Sand & Gravel Update

Litigation is still going on. We have received three rulings that they are to abide by the township’s Mineral Mining Ordinance. Ensley Sand & Gravel has yet to comply.

Memorial Day

Please plan on attending one of the services at our local cemeteries. North Ensley has a program on May 31 at 10:30 AM. Crandall Cemetery’s program begins at 1:00 PM.

Remember to get a burning permit if you plan to burn!

Important Message from the Treasurer

Dear Taxpayer:

As a service to residents, I would like to make you aware of a recent change in the property tax collection process, which will impact all future property tax bills.  The State of Michigan passed Public Act 243 of 2002, which requires the State Education Tax (SET) on all property in the state to be collected on a summer property tax bill.  As a result of this law, all taxpayers will be receiving a summer property tax bill every year starting in July 2003.

The SET is the 6-mil tax that was created in 1994 as part of Proposal A.  The tax, while collected locally, is actually a state tax used to support all school systems in the state.  For 2003 only, the tax rate will be reduced from 6-mills to 5-mills.  In 2004, the rate will return to the usual 6-mill rate.  While the SET will be paid in the summer, the early collection of the SET will not change the overall amount of property taxes paid each year.  Beginning in 2003, the SET will not be collected on the December winter tax bill as it has been in the past.

Summer tax bills are sent out on July 1 and the bill must be paid by September 14 in order to avoid any interest penalty.

Under MCL 211.51, property taxpayers may defer until February 15, without penalty or interest, the due date of their summer taxes on their homestead, if their household income for the preceding calendar year did not exceed $25,000 and they are:

a)      62 years of age or older, including the unmarried surviving spouse of a person who was 62 years of age or older at the time of death;

b)      A paraplegic or quadriplegic;

c)      An eligible serviceperson, eligible veteran, or their eligible widow or widower;

d)      A blind person; or

e)      A totally and permanently disabled person.

Property that is classified or used as agricultural property may qualify if the gross receipts of the farming operation are not less than the household income of the owner.

Persons applying for a deferral must certify that they qualify for the deferment on a form available through my office in order to receive the deferral.  The form must be completed each year in order to have taxes deferred without penalty in any given year.  The form must be filed with my office by September 14 to receive the deferral.

I appreciate your understanding regarding this change in state law.

Sincerely,

Faye Folkema, Treasurer

Ensley Township

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