Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Dorr Annual Town Meeting


An estimated 200 men and women showed up at Woodstock High School tonight for the 2010 Annual Town Meeting of Dorr Township. What a turn-out!

The meeting was in progress when I arrived. I had been in Normal for a two-day meeting, and it was a good thing that I didn't hurry on the way back. The Illinois State Police had shop set up in two locations on I-39. Actually, I was surprised at the moderate pace of traffic. Most drivers were traveling at the speed limit yesterday morning and late this afternoon.

When I arrived about 7:30PM, voting was in progress for the choice of Moderator from two nominations, Tina Hill and Larry Oakford. Voting was by standing electors who raised hands and displayed the "I am a Dorr Township registered voter" wristband. Tina scored 86 votes, and Larry was elected Moderator with 94 votes. Who says a few votes don't count???

The audience was civil tonight, after being warned by the Moderator that no "demonstrations" would be tolerated, including applause or boo-ing during any part of the program.

The Citizens Planning Committee (CPC) presented its findings and recommendations; a question period followed, and then a comment period followed that.

Ballots were then distributed to registered voters, who voted on the individual recommendations of the CPC. A draft of the ballot initially rolled all the questions together for one Yes or No vote, but tonight's ballot allowed a separate vote on each question.

All three recommendations of the CPC failed in tonight's vote.

This in no way suggests a failure of the Committee. The Committee did a thorough job and followed the purpose for which it was created. The Committee brought important questions to the Town Meeting, where the electors could make an informed decisions on these three questions.

Concerns expressed by some residents were that the reduction in the gross rebate by administration costs might make the net rebate rather insignificant, possibly only $50-75; that any decision not to rebate on commercial properties might result in an expensive lawsuit against the Township; and that rebates might require a resident to file an amended tax return (with attendant expenses associated with such a re-filing).

Bourbannais, Illinois, voluntarily refunded $250,000 in taxes at a cost of $5,000. That calculates to a very reasonable 2% administrative expense.

One resident commented that the Township could have used the accumulated money to buy Grace Hall from Woodstock Christian Life Services and move it to lots on Northampton Street. On a different note, it is expected that the City of Woodstock will issue a demolition permit this week that will allow Grace Hall to become a pile of bricks at 318 Christian Way.

Supervisor Bob Pierce mentioned that Town Clerk Kathleen Schlapp had resigned after 13 years and that was why Deputy Clerk Quinn Keefe was involved in tonight's meeting.

2 comments:

M.U.G. said...

"and that rebates might require a resident to file an amended tax return (with attendant expenses associated with such a re-filing)."

Would not money received [check cashed] this year be claimed on next years return?

In my opinion the township gave the people a lot of information geared towards making it look like the township as in crisis. This is nothing more than a setup to get the electors in a mindset of more land and new building facilities are needed.

The rebate money was voted down as people thought that their taxes might go up if the township needed funds. Here's a clue about your taxes - they will go up regardless if the rebate was given out or not.

The officials also stated office space was at a premium. Rent some space then. Let someone else take care of the maintenance and problems of a building.

As for monthly meetings use a meeting room in a local bank or even another townships facilities.

If we are stuck with townships let them get creative to save money. We all do that in our everyday lives. Times have changed.

As far as I'm concerned townships should be abolished. Now that's a tax savings.

Gus said...

Oh, but wait... the Trustees gather once a month and lean back in their chairs for a few minutes, and so they think they ought to have a large, comfy room (and new chairs, of course) for that.

The Assessor could move out to her own space.

Last month I think there were two (2) requests for assistance. For that there is a Supervisor and an assistant. I think it cost something like $2,300 to dole out $1,200. Interviews for assistance can be scheduled for privacy.