Public Announcement - Newkirk Township

A Wonderful place to experience all the "fun in the snow" sports and activities.

NEWKIRK TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION , Draft Zoning Ordinance available for viewing on this website, click on the Zoning Commission heading at bottom of Left column. Please send or email comments to Newkirk Township Planning Commission, P.O. Box 308, Luther, MI 49656.

The Newkirk Township Board is in need of community members to become active in the township and would appreciate community support for serving on the Planning Commission, Board of Review and other committee's, providing the support necessary to carry out plans for the future of Newkirk Township. Please contact any board member to become involved with Newkirk Township and its future.

Feb. 10 “Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage” seminar, Edgetts Church, 6:30 pm

Feb. 11 “Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage” seminar continued, Edgetts Church, 8:30am-Noon

Feb. 25 Pine River Sports Boosters Auction, Lion’s Hall, Social Hour 6-7pm, Auction 7pm

WEEKLY: Alcoholic Anonymous – Thursdays (St. Ignatius Church basement) 7pm
Pre-school Story Hour at the Library, Mondays, 11am-noon

Mardis Gras parties will be held simultaneously at The North Bar and at Logger’s Landing on Saturday, February 18 beginning at 9:00 pm. There will be a live country music band playing at Logger’s and a rock band playing at the North Bar. Proceeds will go to the Parks and Recreation Committee.

If you would like your event on the community calendar or have an article for the newsletter, please call Gail at the library at 231-797-8006 or email at lutherlibrary@att. It is printed the last week of the month and distributed all over the Luther area. If you would like to receive the Community Newsletter by email please let us know.

Representative Bumstead held “Office Hours” at the Library on Monday, January 30. It was well attended by our local officials and area citizens.

The People Fund is supported solely by Great Lakes Energy members who allow their electric cooperative to round up their bill each month to the next dollar. Since 1999 more than $2 million dollars in grants have been awarded to charitable and community organizations throughout Great Lakes Energy’s 26-county service area, that stretches from Kalamazoo to the Mackinac Straits.

The People Fund is made possible by the generosity of members who contribute a few cents each month by rounding-up their bill. Non-profit community organizations are encouraged to apply so that the funds can be put to good use in local service areas.

Non-profit organizations can apply for a grant through the People Fund by downloading the application from their website at gtlakes.com or by calling Great Lakes Energy, 1-888-485-2537, ext. 1313.

The Luther Parks and Recreation committee received a grant for $84,000 for the mill pond park project. Construction will start in April to start work on a basketball court, fishing docks, two pavilions, a nature garden and more. It will be exciting to see work being done after the committee’s hard work.

Newkirk Township Board Meetings are held the 3rd Monday of every month at 7:00PM, except for March, this meeting is held the last Monday of the March., all meetings held at the Newkirk Township Hall, 301 State Street , Luther. Public encouraged to attend.

The 2012 Presidential Primary Election will be held on February 28, 2012. As this is a closed primary, you will be required to request either a Democratic or Republican party ballot or a no designation if you want to vote on only local issues if there are any.

If you would like to receive an absentee ballot for elections, contact Clerk Sandy Killingbeck. You are qualified to vote by absentee ballot for any of the following reasons:

I expect to be absent from the community in which I am registered for the entire time the polls are open on Election Day.
I am physically unable to attend the polls without the assistance of another.
I cannot attend the polls because of the tenets of my religion.
I have been appointed an election precinct inspector in a precinct other than the precinct where I reside.
I am 60 years of age or older.
I cannot attend the polls because I am confined to jail awaiting arraignment or trial.
You may request an application by phone at (231) 797-5947 or by sending a written request to the Township Clerk at at P.O. Box 308, Luther, MI 49656 stating your name, address, reason for request (see above) and where to send the application or ballot. If more than one member of the family wants an absentee ballot, all must sign the letter. Add clerks address here.

The annual trash clean up will be held on Saturday August , 2012 from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon beside the Luther Newkirk Hall. Please bring your tax bill or receipt for Township identification purposes. Be prepared to unload your vehicle. All items MUST be bagged, bundled or boxed. (Volunteers to help unload trash are always welcome) The trash hauler will not accept the following items: chemicals, hazardous waste, motor oil, liquid paint, paint thinners, yard waste and household trash. (Water based paint cans with dried up paints are acceptable) Refrigeration units, Auto batteries, and Scrap metal will be accepted at no charge.

Annual Rabies Clinic: Saturday , October , 2012 The clinic will be held from 1:00-3:00 PM at the Luther-Newkirk Hall garage. Please use side entrance. Dr. Todd of Country Veterinary Service of Reed City will give shots. Cost of the Rabies shot is $8.00 and the Distemper shot is $15.00. Vaccinations will also be available for cats and ferrets. Proof of rabies shot must be presented before you can obtain a license. A representative from the Lake County Treasurers office will be available for those who need to purchase a license. Cost of Licenses are as follows: 1 year & up- $15.00 or $45.00 for a 3 year license. Neutered dogs- $5.00 for a 1 year license or $15.00 for 3 years. Puppies (4mo. to 1 yr.)- $5.00. The cost for a replacement tag is $2.00. Please take advantage of this opportunity to purchase your dog licenses. New licenses issued will expire on the same date as the rabies shot. All licenses must be purchased from the Lake County Treasurer's office. Beginning March 1, 2011 the cost of licenses will be doubled.

Hazardous Waste Disposal Lake County.There will be a Hazardous Waste Disposal , for all residents of Lake , Osceola & Mecosta Counties. Please take advantage of this opportunity to dispose of any hazardous materials you may have around your home.

Lake County Website Check out the new Lake County Website at www.lakecounty-michigan.com. It contains a lot of useful information that includes: Courthouse information, businesses, a mission statement, GEO prison information, a YouTube Channel for Lake County and much more.

The IRS is not sending out tax forms to the Library this year. They can be accessed and printed on-line at www.irs.gov/forms. We do have a small amount of 1040’s and home heating credit forms for the state of Michigan . All of the Michigan forms can be accessed on www.mi.gov/ treasury.

Post Office Hours:

Monday through Friday: 9-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-2:30 p.m., Saturday: 9-10:45 a.m.

For more information, call the Luther Post Office at (231) 797-5421

Spectrum Health Luther Lab: Open Tuesdays 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Luther Newkirk Hall.

Building permits are required for any construction in Lake County. You must contact the Lake County Building Dept. located in the Courthouse Building, 800 Tenth Street, Baldwin, MI 49304 before starting any construction. Phone: 231-745-2722

Summer Tax Payments: Summer tax bills are mailed July 1, 2011. They are due and payable July 1, 2011 through September 14, 2011 at the amount listed as Total Amount Due. Please return the top portion of the bill with your payment. For payments received after September 14 please contact the Township Treasurer for amount due. Postmarks are not accepted-Payment must be in my office by September 14 or interest will be charged. Taxes may be paid in person at 812 Elm St. in Luther. You may call 231-797-5402 to make sure the Treasurer is available to accept your payment. Please make checks payable to Newkirk Township, Sorry, we are NOT able to accept credit or debit card payments. For your convenience, payments may be left with the tellers at the LUTHER BRANCH OF THE LAKE-OSCEOLA STATE BANK AND YOUR RECEIPT WILL BE MAILED TO YOU.

QUALIFYING INCOME LIMIT TO DEFER Summer PROPERTY TAXES

The Michigan General Property Tax Act has been amended with Public Act 24 of 2005 to allow certain citizens, including senior citizens, veterans and persons with disabilities, to defer their summer property taxes if they have a household income below $35,000. To qualify for the deferment under the new qualifying income limit, a township resident must meet one or more of the following conditions as defined by the State Income Tax Act:

Is a totally and permanently disabled person, blind person, paraplegic, quadriplegic, eligible serviceperson, eligible veteran or eligible widow or widower.
Is 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.

Township residents who believe they qualify under the new limit and wish to defer their summer property tax can obtain and Application for Deferment of Summer Taxes from the Township Treasurer's office. Collection of the approved deferred taxes will be delayed until the winter property taxes are due.

LAND DIVISION

Under the State Land Division Act you need to contact the township Assessor prior to dividing any land. The minimum division is 4 acres and there is a charge of $100.00 for each split. All land transfers, such as buy, sell by owner, land contracts, etc. must be recorded within 45 days of closing.

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Enjoy your Winter in Newkirk Township

QUALIFYING INCOME LIMIT TO DEFER Summer PROPERTY TAXES

LAND DIVISION

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