The Lynden Twp. Board of Supervisors attended to a combination of items during their April meeting.

Property Issues

The Planning Commission performed a site visit in March for Donald Hagmann’s property on Belview Road; he’s requesting a road variance. Planning Administrator James Kantor informed the council the variance is necessary as it is currently a non-conforming structure from the center line and side setback. The variance will then allow Hagmann to apply for a building permit from the county. 

A motion carried setting the public hearing. 

Richard Murray inquired about a ROW permit for his non-compliant drain field. The county septic system ordinance requires recorded permission from the township before placing any portion of the septic system within a township road. There isn’t enough room on the property to meet all the setback requirements and they’re currently utilizing a lake setback granted in 1994. 

The proposal is to replace the existing trench system with a smaller pressure bed in the same location. If the township prefers to have Murray move the system closer to the lake and outside of the ROW, it will require new soil borings, a new drain field design, and a new lake setback variance as ordinance requires 150’ setback from a tank/drain field to a natural environment lake. 

No action was taken as no application has been received nor was Murray present at the meeting.

Victoria Luedtke approached the board to inquire about the property line of her 5th Ave. property. She has been working with private surveyors to determine boundary lines and corners as the current legal description is dated and vague; she hadn’t yet received the completed survey. 

Stearns Co. confirmed there is a building entitlement for the parcel, but she would need to comply with things such as setbacks due to the parcel’s small size. Chairman Dave Johnson suggested she contact the Stearns Co. Assessor and Surveyor.

Road Updates

Niemi received an estimate to fix the upper Alder Road water flow; all work would be within the township road ROW. He also received the annual bridge inspection report and will contact  Schendzielos to correct Bridge L9896 to remove beaver dam and debris from the south side of the culvert.

A bid of $45,030 was received from Astech Surface Technologies for seal coating Birchwood, 17 Ave. E. and the town hall parking lot. A motion carried authorizing the expenditure.

Motions carried authorizing the township chair and clerk to sign the Five Year Road Plan with Short Elliot pending suggestion suggested by Twp. Attorney Michael Couri and the 2022 Summer Maintenance contract with Schendzielos.

Other Business

A motion carried to authorize expenditure for bobcat rental not to exceed $500. The bobcat is necessary based on numerous scheduled sign replacements. A second motion carried to resume rentals of the town hall but with an amendment to include a max capacity of 50.

The ARPA funding received by Lynden Twp. to date is $113,435. Supervisor Dennis Niemi obtained a quote of $2,125 for LED lighting, the labor will be donated. A motion authorizing the expenditure was made and then withdrawn after further discussion. The item was tabled to May.

MIDCO representative Steve Johnson confirmed to the council a business proposal of $85/month for 100 mbps and no installation fee, and the option to upgrade to higher mbps without an additional installation fee. A motion carried accepting the quote.

The next Lynden Twp. meeting will be May 2 at 7 p.m.