January 17, 2009

“Officials from rural townships want an investigation of the firm that designed Grand Traverse County’s septage treatment plant before they agree to new taxes on their residents.”

“A proposed assessment, possibly as high as $40 a year, would be levied on owners of septic tanks in the county to help pay for the struggling $8 million facility. The plant was overbuilt and needs about four times the volume of septic tank waste it currently receives to be financially viable, a recent study concluded.”

“Acme, Elmwood, East Bay, Peninsula and Garfield townships guaranteed the plant’s bond payments, and supervisors from those townships ran the project under the umbrella of the Sewer and Water Committee.”

Township Supervisor:
Jack Kelly (R) 1,857
Donald Barrows (D) 942

Township Clerk:
Connie Preston (R) 2,095

Township Treasurer:
Debbie Street (R) 2,070

Township Trustees (4):
Mary Barrows (R) 1,565
Terry Lautner (R) 1,518
David Darga (R) 1,468
Donald Gallagher (D) 1,453
Paul Walter (R) 1,291
Anne Reynolds (I) 937
Kyle Trevas (I) 641

Police:
Yes 1,259
No 1,652

Fire:
Yes 1,542
No 1,375