Marion Township Newsletter - Summer 2008

The Board of Trustees encourages residents to attend board meetings at the township hall.  Agendas are available for review on the website (www.mariontownship.com), or contact the township offices.  The Board of Trustees meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm .  The Planning Commission meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 pm Please mark your calendars and plan to attend these meetings each month.  

SUMMER TAX PAYMENTS

The final day for summer tax payments without penalty is Monday, September 15.  The Treasurer’s office will be happy to answer any questions regarding your tax bill.  Partial payments will be accepted.  Contact the Treasurer at (517) 546-1588.

If you do not receive a receipt in the mail, please call us to verify that we received your payment.

The application for deferment of 2008 summer taxes is available on the township’s website.  If you have questions, please contact the treasurer’s office.

FROM THE ASSESSOR’S OFFICE

Property data is available to all residents upon request.  The assessing office is available to review property record cards and answer any questions.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact us during regular business hours.

NOTARY SERVICES

Notary services are available at the township hall during regular business hours.  The service is free to Marion Township residents.

ATTENTION HUNTERS!

Marion Township will host a buck pole this November.  Bucks must be shot in Marion Township .  We’ll have a warming tent with chili and bread.  Dates and times haven’t been set, so check our website or cable channel for more information.

MARION TOWNSHIP COMMUNITY PARK

Our first community park officially opened on September 21, 2007 .  This park is located on Triangle Lake Road just south of West Coon Lake Road , and offers the following for your enjoyment:  walking trail, picnic area, a small playground, baseball diamond, and a soccer practice field.  The township has received a grant from DTE Energy Foundation Grant Program and trees were planted this spring.  If you have any questions concerning our park program, please contact Paula Wyckoff , Treasurer, who is also our park coordinator.  Come and enjoy your park!

FLOODPLAIN UPDATE

Marion Township has joined the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  Township residents may now purchase flood insurance at standard rates.  The flood rating maps for the township will become final in September 2008.  Insurance purchased prior to the finalization of the maps will be rated at the lowest premium and will remain at the lowest rate as long as the policy is kept in effect.  If you have any questions, information is available through the township or www.fema.gov.

DPW DEPARTMENT

MHOG has updated its policy so you may pay water and sewer bills online.  You can access information and set up an online account through Genoa Township ’s website, www.genoa.org.  If you have any questions on billing, please contact Carol at 800-881-4109.  For service requests or water meter installations, call Barb at 517-545-1339.  For emergencies after hours, please call 800-441-4991.

LIVINGSTON WIRELESS

Livingston County ’s website provides up-to-date information on the progress of Livingston Wireless.  For information, visit  www.co.livingston.mi.us/wirelessLivingston/wirelessLivingston.htm.  

ZONING DEPARTMENT NEWS

A draft of the zoning map is available on the township’s website for review and comment.  If you have any questions, please contact the zoning administrator’s office during regular business hours.  Comments can be sent to the Planning Commission in care of the township offices.

CLERK’S NEWS

We now have Handicap Accessible Voting equipment designed to accommodate every kind of disability, so please don’t hesitate to come in on election day and use them.

If you live on the east side of D-19 or the south side of Coon Lake Road , you will now be voting on the lower level of the township hall.  You may park in the same parking lot as usual and use the sidewalk on the east side of the building.  There are several parking spaces, as well as handicap accessible parking, available on the lower level.

The primary will be held on Tuesday, August 5 and the general election is Tuesday, November 4.

In order to receive and vote a ballot, the elector must show his or her picture ID.  This is a requirement of the State of Michigan , so please be courteous when the election inspectors ask for your photo ID.  Acceptable photo ID may be one of the following:  driver’s license or personal identification card; Federal or State government issued photo identification; U.S. passport; military photo identification card; student ID card; tribal ID card with photo.

If a voter states that he or she has a photo ID but did not bring it to the polls, or if the voter does not have any form of photo ID, the voter may still vote by signing the “Affidavit of Voter Not in Possession of Picture Identification.”  Voters will not have to show photo ID to vote an absentee ballot.

Our township historian is looking for old pictures of township residents and buildings.  If you have anything you would like to share (pictures can be scanned and returned), contact the Clerk’s office.

Trunk or Treat  will be held in the township hall parking lot on October 31, 2008 .  Come at 5:30 p.m. and bring your treats to pass out.  Hot dogs and cider & doughnuts will be provided.  Bring your ghosts and goblins to get treats from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Cemetery Preservation Committee

Our committee is still going strong.  We have cleaned and bonded many stones.  There is always ongoing maintenance so anyone interested in joining the Cemetery Committee can call the Clerk’s office or email marionclerk@ameritech.net.

Recycle Items

In the main entrance to the township offices, you will find recycle bins for special items we are collecting.  There are bins for household batteries and hearing aids, prescription eyewear, and cell phones.  We also collect seasonal items such as used Christmas lights during the holidays.