Ashley R Meade, Petitioner V Township Of Cheshire, Respondent

Page 1

STATE OF MICHIGAN 

 

GRETCHEN WHITMER 

GOVERNOR 

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS 

LANSING 

MARLON I. BROWN, DPA 

DIRECTOR 

 

 

MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL · 611 W. OTTAWA ST., LANSING, MI 48933 · 517-335-9760 

PO BOX 30232, LANSING, MI 48909 · Other Carriers: 2407 N. GRAND RIVER AVE., LANSING, MI 48906 

Ashley R Meade, 

MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL 

 

Petitioner, 

SMALL CLAIMS DIVISION 

 

v 

 

MTT Docket No. 26-000245 

 

Cheshire Township, 

 

Presiding Judge 

Respondent. 

 

Patricia L. Halm 

 

ORDER OF DISMISSAL 

 

The Tribunal has considered the file in this case and finds that it has no authority over 

Petitioner’s appeal because it was not filed within 30 days of the issuance of the 

December Board of Review (BOR) Decision, as required by MCL 211.53c. On March 

10, 2026, the Tribunal issued an order holding Petitioner in default for failing to submit a 

copy of the notice giving rise to the appeal, i.e., December BOR Decision.1 Although 

Petitioner failed to respond, the petition indicates that Petitioner is appealing the denial 

of a poverty exemption under MCL 211.7u, which was issued by the December BOR on 

December 12, 2025. Petitioner did not file this appeal until January 17, 2026, and 

inasmuch as the Tribunal has no equitable power to waive or otherwise disregard a 

statutory filing deadline, it has no authority to grant Petitioner the relief requested.2 

Petitioner’s appeal is barred by the statute of limitations. 

 

The Tribunal notes that the petition contends that sufficient notice was not sent to 

Petitioner because the notice was not delivered to Petitioner until January 10, 2026. 

This contention of improper notice, if actionable, would require a determination by an 

applicable authority that the purported error resulted in a due process violation. As 

explained above, the Tribunal lacks any equitable authority to consider a potential due-

process violation. Jurisdiction as a result of a failure of a unit of government to comply 

with a statutory obligation, if there was any, may be vested upon the Tribunal by a 

judicial body only as a matter of equity. Lacking jurisdiction, the only appropriate action 

is dismissal. 

 

Therefore, 

 

IT IS ORDERED that the case is DISMISSED. 

 

 

1 Petitioner would be subject to extended default if this case were to continue for failing to respond to the 

default. Should Petitioner choose to appeal this decision, Petitioner may file a copy of the December 

BOR Decision, showing the petition was timely filed, along with a Motion for Reconsideration. 

2 See Sixarp, LLC v Byron Twp, __Mich__ (2025). See also Federal-Mogul Corp v Dep’t of Treasury, 161 

Mich App 346 (1987), Elec Data Sys Corp v Flint Twp, 253 Mich App 538 (2002), and VanderWerp v 

Plainfield Twp, 278 Mich App 624 (2008), noting that the Tribunal’s powers are limited to those authorized 

by statute and do not include powers of equity.

Page 2

MTT Docket No. 26-000245 

Page 2 of 2 

 

This order resolves all pending claims in this matter and closes this case. 

 

APPEAL RIGHTS 

If you disagree with the final decision in this case, you may file a motion for 

reconsideration with the Tribunal or a claim of appeal with the Michigan Court of 

Appeals. 

 

A motion for reconsideration must be filed with the Tribunal with the required filing fee 

within 21 days from the date of entry of the final decision. Because the final decision 

closes the case, the motion cannot be filed through the Tribunal’s web-based e-filing 

system; it must be filed by mail or personal service. The fee for the filing of such 

motions is $50.00 in the Entire Tribunal and $25.00 in the Small Claims Division, unless 

the Small Claims decision relates to the valuation of property and the property had a 

principal residence exemption of at least 50% at the time the petition was filed or the 

decision relates to the grant or denial of a poverty or disabled veterans exemption and, 

if so, there is no filing fee. You are required to serve a copy of the motion on the 

opposing party by mail or personal service or by email if the opposing party agrees to 

electronic service, and proof demonstrating that service must be submitted with the 

motion. Responses to motions for reconsideration are prohibited and there are no oral 

arguments unless otherwise ordered by the Tribunal. 

 

Alternatively, you may file a claim of appeal with the Michigan Court of Appeals. If the 

claim is filed within 21 days of the entry of the final decision, it is an “appeal of right.” If 

the claim is filed more than 21 days after the entry of the final decision, it is an “appeal 

by leave.” A copy of the claim of appeal must be filed with the Tribunal to certify the 

record on appeal. There is no certification fee. 

 

 

Entered: April 6, 2026 

 

 

 

 

 

By: /s/ Patricia L. Halm 

kac/jc 

 

PROOF OF SERVICE 

 

I certify that a copy of the foregoing was sent on the entry date indicated above to the 

parties or their attorneys or authorized representatives, if any, utilizing either the mailing 

or email addresses on file, as provided by those parties, attorneys, or authorized 

representatives. 

 

By: Tribunal Clerk

These are text excerpts, not the complete document. Text recognition and reading order can contain errors. Check the PDF for complete wording, formatting, and context.

Page 1

STATE OF MICHIGAN

GRETCHEN WHITMER

GOVERNOR

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS

LANSING

MARLON I. BROWN, DPA

DIRECTOR

MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL · 611 W. OTTAWA ST., LANSING, MI 48933 · 517-335-9760

PO BOX 30232, LANSING, MI 48909 · Other Carriers: 2407 N. GRAND RIVER AVE., LANSING, MI 48906

Ashley R Meade,

Petitioner, MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL

 SMALL CLAIMS DIVISION

v

 

MTT Docket No. 26-000245

Township Of Cheshire,

Respondent.

ORDER OF DEFAULT

The Tribunal has reviewed the file in the above-captioned case and finds that:

Petitioner did not submit a copy of the notice giving rise to the appeal (i.e., notice of 

action taken by Board of Review, uncapping notice, PRE denial notice, final assessment 

notice, etc.), as required by TTR 279. As such, Petitioner must submit the notice within 

14 days of the entry of this order. 

Therefore,

IT IS ORDERED that Petitioner is HELD IN DEFAULT.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the defaulted party shall cure the default, as indicated 

above, within 14 days of the entry of this order.i 

Failure to comply with this order will result in the defaulted party being required to file a 

motion to set aside the default (with appropriate filing fee).

By:_______________________________

Entered: March 10, 2026

Patricia L. Halm, Tribunal Chair

PROOF OF SERVICE

I certify that a copy of the foregoing was sent on the entry date indicated above to the 

parties or their attorneys or authorized representatives, if any, utilizing either the mailing 

or email addresses on file, as provided by those parties, attorneys, or authorized 

representatives.

By: Tribunal Clerk

i “A submission by mail is considered filed on the date indicated by the United States Postal Service 

postmark on the envelope containing the submission. A submission without a postmark or with an illegible 

postmark is considered filed on the date the submission is received by the tribunal. A submission by 

commercial delivery service is considered filed on the date the submission is given to the commercial 

service for delivery to the tribunal as indicated by the receipt date on the package containing the 

submission. A submission by personal service is considered filed on the date the submission is received.

Page 2

MTT Docket No. 26-000245

Page 2 of 4

A submission through the tribunal’s e-filing system by 11:59 p.m. on a business day is considered filed on 

that business day. A submission by email to the email address designated by the tribunal by 11:59 p.m. 

on a business day is considered filed on that business day. A submission on a Saturday, a Sunday, or a 

holiday is considered filed on the following business day, as provided by section 35a of the tax tribunal 

act, MCL 205.735a.” TTR 225(5)

Page 3

STATE OF MICHIGAN

GRETCHEN WHITMER

GOVERNOR

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS

LANSING

MARLON I. BROWN, DPA

DIRECTOR

MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL · 611 W. OTTAWA ST., LANSING, MI 48933 · 517-335-9760

PO BOX 30232, LANSING, MI 48909 · Other Carriers: 2407 N. GRAND RIVER AVE., LANSING, MI 48906

Ashley R Meade,

Petitioner, MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL

 SMALL CLAIMS DIVISION

v

 

MTT Docket No. 26-000245

Township Of Cheshire,

Respondent.

ORDER OF DEFAULT

The Tribunal has reviewed the file in the above-captioned case and finds that:

Petitioner did not submit a copy of the notice giving rise to the appeal (i.e., notice of 

action taken by Board of Review, uncapping notice, PRE denial notice, final assessment 

notice, etc.), as required by TTR 279. As such, Petitioner must submit the notice within 

14 days of the entry of this order. 

Therefore,

IT IS ORDERED that Petitioner is HELD IN DEFAULT.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the defaulted party shall cure the default, as indicated 

above, within 14 days of the entry of this order.ii 

Failure to comply with this order will result in the defaulted party being required to file a 

motion to set aside the default (with appropriate filing fee).

By:_______________________________

Entered: March 10, 2026

Patricia L. Halm, Tribunal Chair

PROOF OF SERVICE

I certify that a copy of the foregoing was sent on the entry date indicated above to the 

parties or their attorneys or authorized representatives, if any, utilizing either the mailing 

or email addresses on file, as provided by those parties, attorneys, or authorized 

representatives.

By: Tribunal Clerk

ii “A submission by mail is considered filed on the date indicated by the United States Postal Service 

postmark on the envelope containing the submission. A submission without a postmark or with an illegible 

postmark is considered filed on the date the submission is received by the tribunal. A submission by 

commercial delivery service is considered filed on the date the submission is given to the commercial

Page 4

MTT Docket No. 26-000245

Page 4 of 4

service for delivery to the tribunal as indicated by the receipt date on the package containing the 

submission. A submission by personal service is considered filed on the date the submission is received. 

A submission through the tribunal’s e-filing system by 11:59 p.m. on a business day is considered filed on 

that business day. A submission by email to the email address designated by the tribunal by 11:59 p.m. 

on a business day is considered filed on that business day. A submission on a Saturday, a Sunday, or a 

holiday is considered filed on the following business day, as provided by section 35a of the tax tribunal 

act, MCL 205.735a.” TTR 225(5)

These are text excerpts, not the complete document. Text recognition and reading order can contain errors. Check the PDF for complete wording, formatting, and context.

Page 1

GRETCHEN WHITMER 

GOVERNOR 

STATE OF MICHIGAN 

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS 

LANSING 

RECEIVED 

JAN 2 1 2026 

MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL 

MARLON i. BROWN, DPA 

DIRECTOR 

PROPERTY TAX APPEAL PETITION FORM 

POVERTY EXEMPTION 

Do not use this form to appeal Principat Residence Exemption, Qualified Agricultural Exemption, Disabled Veterans 

Exemption, or other exemption disputes, 

Pursuant to Tax Tribunal Rule (TTR) 279, you MUST submit a copy of the notice giving rise to the appeal (i.e., Board of 

Review Decision or other notice) with this petition. 

If you do not submit this document, you may be held in defauit. 

Section 1: Petitioner’s Contact Information 

First Name 

ML 

Last Name/Company Name 

Ashley 

R 

Meade 

Mailing Address {No., Street, P.O. Box or Rural Route) 

394 42nd St. 

City or Town 

State 

ZIP Coda 

Allegan 

Mi 

48010 

Telephone Number 269-52 1 -3051 

Emall Address {do not enter unless you want MTT to send all correspondence via email) 

ashley.r.meade@gmail.com 

Section 2: Petitioner's Attorney/Authorized Representative’s Contact Information 

First Name 

Mi 

Last Name 

Firm Name (i any) 

Mailing Address (No., Street, P.O. Box or Rural Route) 

City or Town 

State 

ZIP Code 

Telephone Number 

Emall Address (do not enter unless you want MTT to send all correspondence via email) 

Section 3: Subject Property Information 

Parcet Identification Number: 

03-028-001-20 

Property Address (No., Street) 

394 42nd St 

Cily or Town 

County 

State 

ZIP Code 

Allegan 

Allegan 

Mi 

49010 

Taxing Authority {City or Township}

Page 2

STATE OF MICHIGAN 

GRETCHEN WHITMER 

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS 

MARLON |. BROWN, DPA 

GOVERNOR 

LANSING 

DIRECTOR 

Section 4: Explain the Reason for this Appeal 

When reaching out to inquire about the exemption, 

| mentioned that my husband and 

| are undergoing a divorce and that our income 

and addresses are separate. The board used our joint income to confirm eligibility. This caused the request to be denied. 

The income that was attributed to me was as follows for 2024: 

Taxable 

$7700 - Unemployment 

$939 - Insurance commissions 

Total: $8,639.09 

Non-taxable 

$7643.62 - Child support 

$340.42 - Child support 

Total: $7,984.04 

Grand Total 2024: $16,623.04 

The letter for the denial letter dated December 12 was not delivered to my 

address until January 10th, leaving me very little time to 

find out the next steps in the process. Heather Mitchell stated she would 

back me on my timing due to that reason, I'm asking that 

you please allow another review of my circumstances and reasoning in asking for this exemption. Thank you for your time, 

Section 5: Jurisdictional Issues 

Did you request a poverty exemption at a Board of Review (BOR)? 

4 Yes 

[1 No 

If Yes, cheok which BOR you attended: [] March 

[] July 

December 

if No, 

pl 

lain: 

. 

: 

i 

i 

i 

© please explain My information was submitted by Heather Mitchell to be reviewed at the December Board of Review. 

Date the BOR decision was Issued: 

The letter was dated December 12 but was not delivered to me until January 7th 

Tax year(s) denied: 2025 

Fee Information 

There Is no fee required for the filing of a poverty exemption appeal. 

Signature *required 

Pelitioner 

g 

gpffesontative’s Signature: 

ley) Vine Ashley R Meade

Page 3

Peniey) eade 

3A 43nd 

Et - 

Fiaopn FM 

Woo 

Mienigan Wr Wpynal 

Wi W. Orouwa 

Gr. Larging 

“3909 

: 

Received 

JAN 20 2026 

LARA 

SESE 

CED 

dead gpd pg 

UE 

ge f 

pd ped] d flades pad

These are text excerpts, not the complete document. Text recognition and reading order can contain errors. Check the PDF for complete wording, formatting, and context.

Page 1

STATE OF MICHIGAN

GRETCHEN WHITMER

GOVERNOR

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS

LANSING

MARLON I. BROWN, DPA

DIRECTOR

MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL · 611 W. OTTAWA ST., LANSING, MI 48933 · 517-335-9760

PO BOX 30232, LANSING, MI 48909 · Other Carriers: 2407 N. GRAND RIVER AVE., LANSING, MI 48906

Ashley R Meade,

Petitioner,

MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL

SMALL CLAIMS DIVISION

v 

MTT Docket No. 26-000245

Township Of Cheshire,

Respondent.

NOTICE OF DOCKET NUMBER

TAKE NOTICE that a Small Claims petition has been filed and the above-noted docket 

number has been assigned to that petition. The assignment of the docket number does 

not mean that the Tribunal has authority over the petition or that the petition complies 

with the Tribunal’s rules. The docket number needs to be included on all documents 

submitted in this case.

Respondent shall file an answer to the petition within 28 days of the issuance of a 

copy of this Notice to Respondent. Tribunal answer forms are available on our 

website at www.michigan.gov/taxtrib. Respondents must utilize the appropriate answer 

form. Failure to file the answer within the 28-day time frame may result in the 

placement of Respondent in default, as provided by TTR 281. Further, an electronic 

copy of the petition can be reviewed by utilizing the Docket Lookup Search on the 

Tribunal’s website.

By: __Tribunal Clerk_____

Entered: March 10, 2026

PROOF OF SERVICE

I certify that a copy of the foregoing was sent on the entry date indicated above to the 

parties or their attorneys or authorized representatives, if any, utilizing either the mailing 

or email addresses on file, as provided by those parties, attorneys, or authorized 

representatives.

By: Tribunal Clerk

Page 2

STATE OF MICHIGAN

GRETCHEN WHITMER

GOVERNOR

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS

LANSING

MARLON I. BROWN, DPA

DIRECTOR

MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL · 611 W. OTTAWA ST., LANSING, MI 48933 · 517-335-9760

PO BOX 30232, LANSING, MI 48909 · Other Carriers: 2407 N. GRAND RIVER AVE., LANSING, MI 48906

Ashley R Meade,

Petitioner,

MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL

SMALL CLAIMS DIVISION

v 

MTT Docket No. 26-000245

Township Of Cheshire,

Respondent.

NOTICE OF DOCKET NUMBER

TAKE NOTICE that a Small Claims petition has been filed and the above-noted docket 

number has been assigned to that petition. The assignment of the docket number does 

not mean that the Tribunal has authority over the petition or that the petition complies 

with the Tribunal’s rules. The docket number needs to be included on all documents 

submitted in this case.

Respondent shall file an answer to the petition within 28 days of the issuance of a 

copy of this Notice to Respondent. Tribunal answer forms are available on our 

website at www.michigan.gov/taxtrib. Respondents must utilize the appropriate answer 

form. Failure to file the answer within the 28-day time frame may result in the 

placement of Respondent in default, as provided by TTR 281. Further, an electronic 

copy of the petition can be reviewed by utilizing the Docket Lookup Search on the 

Tribunal’s website.

By: __Tribunal Clerk_____

Entered: March 10, 2026

PROOF OF SERVICE

I certify that a copy of the foregoing was sent on the entry date indicated above to the 

parties or their attorneys or authorized representatives, if any, utilizing either the mailing 

or email addresses on file, as provided by those parties, attorneys, or authorized 

representatives.

By: Tribunal Clerk

These are text excerpts, not the complete document. Text recognition and reading order can contain errors. Check the PDF for complete wording, formatting, and context.

Page 1

GRETCHEN WHITMER 

GOVERNOR 

STATE OF MICHIGAN 

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS 

LANSING 

RECEIVED 

JAN 2 1 2026 

MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL 

MARLON i. BROWN, DPA 

DIRECTOR 

PROPERTY TAX APPEAL PETITION FORM 

POVERTY EXEMPTION 

Do not use this form to appeal Principat Residence Exemption, Qualified Agricultural Exemption, Disabled Veterans 

Exemption, or other exemption disputes, 

Pursuant to Tax Tribunal Rule (TTR) 279, you MUST submit a copy of the notice giving rise to the appeal (i.e., Board of 

Review Decision or other notice) with this petition. 

If you do not submit this document, you may be held in defauit. 

Section 1: Petitioner’s Contact Information 

First Name 

ML 

Last Name/Company Name 

Ashley 

R 

Meade 

Mailing Address {No., Street, P.O. Box or Rural Route) 

394 42nd St. 

City or Town 

State 

ZIP Coda 

Allegan 

Mi 

48010 

Telephone Number 269-52 1 -3051 

Emall Address {do not enter unless you want MTT to send all correspondence via email) 

ashley.r.meade@gmail.com 

Section 2: Petitioner's Attorney/Authorized Representative’s Contact Information 

First Name 

Mi 

Last Name 

Firm Name (i any) 

Mailing Address (No., Street, P.O. Box or Rural Route) 

City or Town 

State 

ZIP Code 

Telephone Number 

Emall Address (do not enter unless you want MTT to send all correspondence via email) 

Section 3: Subject Property Information 

Parcet Identification Number: 

03-028-001-20 

Property Address (No., Street) 

394 42nd St 

Cily or Town 

County 

State 

ZIP Code 

Allegan 

Allegan 

Mi 

49010 

Taxing Authority {City or Township}

Page 2

STATE OF MICHIGAN 

GRETCHEN WHITMER 

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS 

MARLON |. BROWN, DPA 

GOVERNOR 

LANSING 

DIRECTOR 

Section 4: Explain the Reason for this Appeal 

When reaching out to inquire about the exemption, 

| mentioned that my husband and 

| are undergoing a divorce and that our income 

and addresses are separate. The board used our joint income to confirm eligibility. This caused the request to be denied. 

The income that was attributed to me was as follows for 2024: 

Taxable 

$7700 - Unemployment 

$939 - Insurance commissions 

Total: $8,639.09 

Non-taxable 

$7643.62 - Child support 

$340.42 - Child support 

Total: $7,984.04 

Grand Total 2024: $16,623.04 

The letter for the denial letter dated December 12 was not delivered to my 

address until January 10th, leaving me very little time to 

find out the next steps in the process. Heather Mitchell stated she would 

back me on my timing due to that reason, I'm asking that 

you please allow another review of my circumstances and reasoning in asking for this exemption. Thank you for your time, 

Section 5: Jurisdictional Issues 

Did you request a poverty exemption at a Board of Review (BOR)? 

4 Yes 

[1 No 

If Yes, cheok which BOR you attended: [] March 

[] July 

December 

if No, 

pl 

lain: 

. 

: 

i 

i 

i 

© please explain My information was submitted by Heather Mitchell to be reviewed at the December Board of Review. 

Date the BOR decision was Issued: 

The letter was dated December 12 but was not delivered to me until January 7th 

Tax year(s) denied: 2025 

Fee Information 

There Is no fee required for the filing of a poverty exemption appeal. 

Signature *required 

Pelitioner 

g 

gpffesontative’s Signature: 

ley) Vine Ashley R Meade

Page 3

Peniey) eade 

3A 43nd 

Et - 

Fiaopn FM 

Woo 

Mienigan Wr Wpynal 

Wi W. Orouwa 

Gr. Larging 

“3909 

: 

Received 

JAN 20 2026 

LARA 

SESE 

CED 

dead gpd pg 

UE 

ge f 

pd ped] d flades pad

These are text excerpts, not the complete document. Text recognition and reading order can contain errors. Check the PDF for complete wording, formatting, and context.