Raisin Twp. Board passes new road tax by one vote

In a 4-3 vote Monday, Sept. 22, the Raisin Township Board of Trustees voted to approve the tax assessment roll for the already approved assessment district. Residents will now pay $95 per parcel, per year for five years to help fund road repairs in the township. Township Supervisor Jay Cavanaugh, along with trustees Betty Holdridge, Kami Johnson and Larry Crittenden, voted in favor of the resolution approving the roll. Trustees Tom Hawkins, Dale Mitchell and Debra Brousseau voted against it.Before the board voted on the resolution, a public hearing was held where over 25 people, some even twice, told the board how they felt. No one spoke in favor of the new road tax, with a majority of residents questioning how having each individual parcel owner pay $95 was fair. “I don’t feel we’re being represented,” said resident Joel Million. “You guys are supposed to represent us.”One resident wondered why the potential for more road funding from the 2015 budget hasn’t been discussed further.“At the last meeting, trustee Hawkins indicated that there was a lot of places in the 2015 budget where extra money could be obtained,” said Pat Szymanski. “We haven’t heard anything about that.”Sentiments were that residents felt the board was not accurately representing the wants of the township residents.“You should have our will in mind,” said Louis Robottaro. “These roads didn’t get like this overnight. I think there are other ways to improve roads. I don’t think it should be done against the will of the people.”“I didn’t support the first resolution, because I feel very confident that the township does not support this,” said Hawkins, adding that he feels the special assessment is wrong for the township because the process has gone too quickly. Holdridge, who is also the township clerk, said that while many people showed up to voice their opposition to the special assessment at the meeting she has heard from people who support it while working in the office. Holdridge said herself that she will be paying for four parcels of land.“I still think being a township resident, that I need to contribute my part to fix the roads for everyone else that has to drive on the roads,” said Holdridge. “I don’t drive on any of the secondary roads that need this work, and I support those people who live on those roads.”Crittenden suggested that residents who have multiple, adjoining parcels could join them into one parcel. “I’m going to vote in support because basically we have to do something,” Crittenden added. “It’s a challenge for board members to sit here, but we can’t sit here and say this represents the entire township,” said Cavanaugh. “As much as I understand your frustration, I’ve been in your shoes. I’ve been angry. I’ve seen government waste. I’ve seen over taxation. It would be an injustice for us to sit here and say the amount of people here tonight represent the entire township.”In other business, the board:• Appointed David Rincon as administrative assistant for the Township Building Department until mid December. He will work three hours a day, five days a week and receive $15 an hour.

Tecumseh Herald

 

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