YOUR SUMMER TAXES, WHETHER DEFERRED OR DELINQUENT, ARE TO BE PAID BY SEPARATE CHECK. DO NOT INCLUDE THEM IN YOUR CHECK FOR WINTER TAXES.

CHECK YOUR INFORMATION

Is your homestead status correct? If not, call our assessor, Angie Kirby, immediately at the office at 422-2300 or her cell at 207-2590, by December 10 and we can correct that amount of your taxes before they are due. If your name and/or mailing address are incorrect, please change that at the time you send in your tax payment.

TAX PAYMENTS

• Please send the lower portion of your tax notice with your payment, the bar code on the notice is used to ensure that the payment is credited to the correct parcel.
• Taxes may be paid at the Township office during regular business hours, or through the mail. When paying your taxes, please return the lower portion of your form with your tax payment. Keep the upper portion for your receipt. You will not receive a “paid” receipt from the township.
• Make checks payable to Baroda Township Treasurer and send your payment to the following address: Susan Newcomer, Baroda Township Treasurer, P.O. Box 123, Baroda MI 49101.
• If you require to have your tax bill stamped “paid”, and cannot get to the Township office, you must send a SELF-ADDRESSES STAMPED ENVELOPE with the entire tax bill and your tax payment. The top portion will be returned to you stamped “paid”.
• We do not accept postmarks. Please make certain that you leave plenty of time for your payment to reach our office. We are not responsible for the amount of time that the post office may have your payment, and late payments received without the appropriate payment fee will be returned.
• Unless you have made previous arrangements with the treasurer, do not pay via an online bank service. The original tax bill must accompany all payments, and online payment does not allow for this requirement.
• If you have a mortgage with an escrow that will pay your taxes, you will receive a 1/3-sheet white tax notice.
• If you receive a full-sized, 81/2 X 11 tax notice with blue ink, you have received the only bill printed and it is up to you to pay it or get it to your mortgage company

LATE PAYMENTS

To avoid penalties, all taxes must be paid by February 17^th, 2009. Between the dates February 18^th and February 28^th, taxes may be paid to the township treasurer plus the 3% penalty. After February 28^th, summer and winter taxes must be paid to the Berrien county treasurer. (Berrien Co. Treasurer, 701 Main St, Adm. Bldg, St. Joseph MI 49085 269-983-7111 x8569)

HOURS FOR TREASURER FOR TAX COLLECTION

The treasurer is now required to be in the office on the last day taxes may be paid without penalty, as well as one day between December 25^th and December 31^st. This year those dates will be Thursday, Dec 30^th 2008 and Thursday, February 17^th. 2009. Hours of collection will be 9 am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm.

TOWNSHIP ANNUAL MEETING AND BUDGET HEARING

The State of Michigan has eliminated the necessity for the township annual meeting. However, the Baroda Township Board will consider the regular agenda and annual reports in conjunction with the April 20, 2009 meeting. This year the township will hold the Budget hearing at the March 16, 2009 regular meeting.

BOARD OF REVIEW

The Board of Review dates will be listed on your tax assessment notices which are mailed in February, or will be available by calling the township office after Jan 31^st

^{Home Security Systems}

^{According to Police Chief Ruhl, if your house has an alarm system you must register that information with the Baroda-Lake Police Department. There is an annual fee of $10. Call them at 422-1344}

DOG LICENSES

If you received a computer copy of your dog license, it can be paid at the Municipal Building during regular office hours in December, January, and February

BARODA TOWNSHIP HALL

The Township Hall may be reserved only by Baroda Township or Baroda Village residents for private parties, subject to board approval, for a donation of 25.00. The hall is available to non-profit organizations without cost. Reservations are to be made by calling the township clerk at 422-2300. (The Fire Station Hall )

BARODA TOWNSHIP PARK AT HESS LAKE

Reservations will begin January 2, 2009 at 9:00 am by calling the Baroda Township Clerk at 422-2300. To secure a reservation, you must be a township resident. There is a limit of one Saturday or Sunday reservation per family.

LARGE TRASH PICKUP

The two dates are Thursday April 16, 2009 and Thursday October 8, 2009. No deep freezers, refrigerators, air conditioners, or other appliances containing Freon gas will be picked up unless there is a certificate attached to indicate that the appliance is Freon-free. No leaves, tree limbs, tires, large car parts, or building materials will be picked up. The limit is ¾ ton pick-up load per household.

RECYCLING AND TIRE PICK-UP

We now offer curbside recycling, for both recyclables and yard waste. Please pick up the appropriate bags at the Township Municipal Building during regular business hours. The instructions for both are in with the bags and you can always call the Township office (422-2300) with any questions. .The TIRE PICK UP is scheduled for July 18, 2009 from 8:00am to 5:00pm.

RUBBISH AND GARBAGE PICK-UP

Garbage should be placed by the road by 5:00 a.m. on Thursday mornings. During holiday weeks, the garbage should still be out by 5:00am Thursday, but may not be picked up until the next day.

CEMETERY

The cemetery clean up dates are: October 15th and April 1^st. Please remove all decorations by these dates. Decorations may be re-set October 20^th and April 5^th. The area behind the gravestones belongs to the adjacent lot, please do not plant there. The price for Burial plots is: Township residents $100, Non-residents; $500.

Burials	Weekdays	Saturdays	Sundays/Holidays
Township Residents	150.00	225.00	300.00
Non-Residents	400.00	600.00	800.00
Infants	50.00	50.00	50.00
Cremation Burials
Township Residents	50.00	75.00	100.00
Non-Residents	100.00	150.00	200.00

TOWNSHIP ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICERS (HOME PHONE NUMBERS)

Supervisor Jim Brow 422-2336 Plumbing Inspector Ed Wainwright 269-663-8542

Clerk Wendie Shafer 422-1972 Mechanical Inspector Ed Wainwright 269-663-8542

Treasurer Susan Newcomer 422-2465 Electrical Inspector Ed Steinke 422-1248

Trustees Amy Hemphill 422-5361 Planning Comm., Chr. Madeleine Carroll 422-2024 Cell 449-1867

David Wolf 422-2705 Zoning Administrator Jim Pheifer 429-1589

Assessor Angela Kirby 269-207-2590 Building Inspector Howard Gaul 422-1568

Police Dept. Chief Gary Ruhl 422-1344 Fire Department Chief, Larry Klug 422-1719

TOWNSHIP OFFICE HOURS

Monday through Thursday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Friday 9:00 am to Noon pm

REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING DATES

Township Board 3^rd Monday of each month, 7:30 pm in the Municipal Building

Planning Commission 2^nd Monday of each month, 6:30 pm in the Municipal Building

TELEPONE NUMBERS

Emergency - Ambulance, Fire, Police 911

Police Dept. (non emergency) 422-1344

Chief of Police – Gary Ruhl 422-2106

Fire Department (non emergency) 422-2300

Fire Chief – Larry Klug 422-1719, Work 422-1753

Baroda Township Office 422-2300

Baroda Village Office 422-1779

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE TOWNSHIP

• The park toys are gone, and we have a park committee looking at what improvements should be made to the park.
• A rubbish committee has been formed to look into changing the rubbish millage into a special assessment.
• The Baroda-Lake Police Department welcomes a new full-time officer, John Hopkins.
• The Planning Commission is reviewing the Township Master Plan
• Wightman and Associates is assisting the Township in drawing up a Recreation Plan for Baroda Township.
• The Baroda-Lake Police Department was awarded a technology grant which includes video equipment, computers and radios.