The Becker Twp. Board met Monday to discuss various things, among which were an updated fee schedule and the approval of using temporary permits. 

And of course, they talked about the snow.

 

 

Compliments and complaints have come in regarding snowplowing efforts.  It has been a busy year.  Pushing the shoulders out has been greatly appreciated as it keeps the roads wide enough for cars to pass each other.  Mailboxes have gotten hit, but only those that use the Swing-away type are covered, per township rules.

 

Also, 107th Street by the golf course has a lot of trash cans that are not getting removed after their trash day.  They are creating a hazard for the plow. 

 

Township attorney advised the township to notify the residents to keep them off the road as they may not realize they are in violation of state statute.  It’s acceptable to to put them out for the day, but remove them after trash has been picked up.  Photos of them on the road both summer and winter were displayed.

 

 

Joint planning board will be reviewing a possible new ordinance that will include adding three new definitions – Direct Use Agriculture Business, Farm Related Business and Production Agriculture, and Conditional Use permit requirements for a Farm Related Business and Occasional Special Events.

 

These are not for single events like weddings or graduations, but for occasional events – eight per year in general rural district and 16 per year in the agriculture district.  There are specific time restraints and such.  If it exceeds the standards, then it would be a regular business requiring a commercial location.

 

 

The township is charged a 2.5% fee on all building permits when applicants use credit cards.  This fee will now be added to the applicant’s fee if they use credit cards.  Cash and check payments will not be subject to this fee.

 

A Temporary Use Permit/Mobile Use Permit application was approved for use.  This does not impact things like kids’ lemonade stands or kids selling for school or scout-type events.  It does impact peddlers and food truck type uses; this permit needs to be purchased once a year.

 

 

185th Avenue North portion has gone out for bids.  Plan set and preliminary estimate was presented to the board.  The boring reports came back and recommended a construction change for a location with peat 5’ under the current road surface.  The bid opening is scheduled for the night of the March 18 board meeting.  That night the township is also planning a part of the meeting for open questions regarding this construction project. 

 

 

• Board of Audit and Budget meeting rescheduled for Monday, March 4 at 6 pm. 

 

• Reminder to all that the township election is Tuesday, March 12.  Voting is from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. At 8:01 p.m. the annual meeting will be held and taxes for the township will be decided.