Holly – The old North Oakland County Fire Authority (NOCFA)
building and property on Grange Hall Road in Holly Township will
not be listed for sale at this time, after a 3-2 board vote last
week. Supervisor Jesse Lambert and Treasurer Mark Freeman voted in
favor of listing the property.

 At the previous board meeting, the board of trustees asked
representatives from Legacy Realty in Fenton to assess the property
at 4092 Grange Hall Road, which had previously been listed at $1.2
million. The current assessment came at $350,000 to $400,000.

 Lambert spearheaded the effort to list the property that is not
being used, to possibly sell it and get the property back on the
tax roll.

 ”I really think we’re doing a disservice to the community to
not at least list this property,” said Lambert.

 Trustee Janet Leslie said that the township has already paid
almost $600,000, and they should try to get at least the money back
that was already invested.

 ”It’s not required,” said Freeman. He said the township could
make up the lost money invested in property taxes.

 Karin Winchester countered, saying it would take years to make
that money up in property taxes. She also said that the township
would receive very little tax money, as most would go the Holly
Downtown Development Authority (DDA).

 Lambert still wanted to list the property for sale. “Do we wait
eight years to get $800,000 to $1 million for the property?” he
said.

 ”I think it’s irresponsible to list it in the worst market,”
said Winchester.

 Lambert made the motion to list the property for sale at
$400,000, however, the motion failed. No other motion was made on
the property.

 Holly Township resident Pete Deahl suggested after the vote
that the township sell the properties, or properly maintain them.
“The last thing we need is a blighted eyesore,” he said.