Last week, Big Lake Twp. reconvened their annual meeting. The meeting was again led by Eric Rosa, township resident who previously ran for a position on the board.
The only change in the proposed levy from the original meeting date was in the fire fund, after Treasurer Ken Warneke found that the township would need to contribute more money to the fire board in order to make possible the purchase of a ladder truck in 2026.
The final levy was set at $2,265,500, segregated as follows: General Fund, $176,000; Road and Bridge Fund, $1,460,000; Big Lake Fire Fund, $268,000; Fire District #1 Fund, $31,000; Fire Building/Equipment, $44,000; Fire Bond Redemption, $0; IP Bond Redemption, $46,000; Capital Expenditure, $0.
The attending residents voted to approve the levy. The next annual meeting will be held March 8, 2022, at 6 p.m.
License Agreement
The board went on to discuss a license agreement with a township resident regarding a fence. While looking into the possibility of expanding his fence, the resident discovered that his fence, erected by a previous owner, encroached on the road’s right-of-way (ROW). So he approached the board to find a solution which, hopefully, wouldn’t involve tearing down the fence.
A couple of the board members visited the property and determined that, while the fence did encroach on the ROW, it was in a location that the dangers of doing so were minimized. Supervisor Dean Brenteson noted that there was still sufficient drainage in the area and an area for snow storage.
The board and the resident agreed upon a permanent license agreement to allow the resident to continue to keep the fence.
New Trail Signs at Lions Park
Supervisor Norm Leslie recounted an incident where a young mom, with her baby in a stroller, went for a walk through the Lions Park trails, and accidentally ended up on the wrong side of the park than she wanted. When Leslie heard about her navigation difficulties, he decided it wouldn’t be a bad idea to investigate putting up new trail navigation signs. He asked Gina Hugo from Sherburne County Parks and Rec to help him with the project.
Hugo designed new signs that displayed a full map of the park and the trails. Three-foot signs will be placed at trail entrances, and smaller signs will be placed along the trails.
Leslie commended Hugo on the excellent design work and was excited to implement the project. He said the total cost would be under $1,000 and that he, with the help of the town handyman, would put the signs up,
Winter Road Maintenance Bids
The township decided to renew its contracts with two vendors who had previously provided service to the township. The township again went with two vendors, in order to ensure quick service to the township and to have an alternative option if one vendor is unavailable, due to staffing or equipment complications.
Unfortunately, costs per hour for both contracts were up significantly. The board indicated that this could not be helped, due to labor shortages.
On the topic of roads, the board recently completed its fall road tour, but Supervisor Brenteson wanted some more time to organize his findings before presenting.
In Other Business, the Board:
• Sold a roll-off dumpster for $3,200;
• Announced the dog vaccination clinic and nitrate water testing to be held September 25 at Lions Park
• Announced food shelf distribution on September 20 at Lions Park;
• Stated that the township has re-applied for a Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems General Permit from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), and that public comment in regards to the permit could be submitted to the MPCA through Oct. 7.
