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October 2004

 

 

Dear Property Owner:

 

Thank you for your responses to our survey.  Through the signed survey responses we were able to obtain the following information:

 

            Total letters sent:  179

            Total responses:  71 (39%)

            Signed Responses – permanent residents:  27;  Yes – 18, No – 6, Yes/No – 2,

               Undecided – 1;  Yes – 67%, No – 22%

            Signed Responses – seasonal residents:  43;  Yes – 30, No – 11, Yes/No – 2,

                Yes – 70%, No – 26%

            Signed Responses – Combined:  Yes – 49 (68%), No – 17 (24%)

            Unsigned Responses:  1

 

The Township Hall Planning Committee was appointed by the Township supervisors and is not an extension of the Community Club.  We were assigned the responsibility of gathering information as to the feasibility and need of a new community center for the township.

 

With the help of the information obtained by the survey we now have a better understanding of the desires and needs of the community.

 

Our first priority is site location.  We are looking into the possibility of obtaining property, both private and public, and are evaluating what can be built on the current site, the community property across the road and other sites if available.

 

We will be working closely with the Organization of Townships and our Representatives at the county and state level, for help in obtaining money to assist in the planning stage.

 

In response to questions raised about current facilities being used for community activities, we will try to explain why these facilities are not good alternatives.  The following answers some of the questions raised in the returned surveys.

 

  1. The current Community Hall is in desperate need of repair.  The foundation is crumbling.  The roof needs replacing.  The electrical system is out dated and inadequate.  There is a major rodent and insect infestation.  In the winter the lack of heating and insulation require the water to be shut off, rendering the restrooms unusable.  Remodeling the upstairs for use as public space would require installation of an elevator to comply with handicap accessibility requirements.  Although remodeling does not appear feasible we will continue to evaluate remodeling as an option.

 

  1. The new building at the fire hall houses the new tanker, the pumper truck and their brush truck, plus the equipment and clothing for the fire fighters.  The old building houses the new and old emergency vehicles, snowmobiles, rescue sleds and hopefully someday an ATV.  The meeting room will only hold a maximum of 20 people.  It is currently used for township and lake association meetings, during cold weather, when the community hall is not available.  It is regularly used for fire and first responder training and as a polling place.  Parking of cars at this location could impede the use of emergency vehicles and water holding equipment can not be stored outside in cold weather if those spaces were used for public gatherings.

 

  1. The Senior Center is located on one (1) acre of leased state land.  It is not suitable for use in cold weather as the heating and insulation are inadequate.  The capacity is smaller than the current Community Hall.

 

If future office space were provided for the Township Clerk, it would allow better accessibility and privacy for this officer.  It would also eliminate the imposition to the clerk having to house equipment and files in their home as well as being “on call” 24 hours a day.  Having an information office available for tourists would promote the community in a positive manner.

 

Until a site has been selected and a building plan initiated, we cannot offer more information on grants, low interest loans, etc.  We would anticipate that a well planned building would be rented for functions to generate revenue to offset costs of operating the building.  Any building approved would be aesthetically pleasing and conducive to the area.  If anyone knows an architect who would volunteer to work with us, please contact a committee member.

 

In the meantime we are in contact with other townships and will be looking at their halls, and also other facilities that were suggested in the responses.  Each township sets the policies for their buildings and the use of alcohol, smoking, etc. is regulated by the township.

 

At this time we don’t have information on how bids must be let for construction, but this information will be obtained.  As soon as we have something more to report we will send updates.

 

Thank you again for taking the time to answer the survey.  It has been of tremendous help.  This letter is being mailed to all who responded to the survey and everyone can read it on the Township web site.

 

Yours truly,

 

Township Hall Planning Committee

Sand Moyer, Chairman