During the recent Big Lake Town Board meeting, the board welcomed several new and old members of the fire department to the meeting, and Chief Seth Hansen gave the report for the previous month and year. 

Hansen reported 43 calls for service in the month of December. There were a total of 429 calls for service in 2021. Hansen says the department has seen a steady rise of calls for service over the years, there being 171 calls in 2018, 232 in 2019, and 379 in 2020. 

Which is why the next order of business was such a blessing for the department. Four new board members recently joined the department, three of which were sworn in at the meeting. The new firefighters are Brad Anderson, Brian Erlandson, Matt Houle, and Mike Houts. 

Veteran firefighters were also recognized during the meeting: Mike Bondhus, 31 years; Ryan Aderman, five years; Kiel Ruberg, five years; Ryan Hanson, who retired with 10 years; and Jim Jenson, who retired with 17 years. 

After recognizing new and old BLFD members, the board approved a $300 increase to the Fire Dept. benefit, as requested by the relief association. 

Sheriff’s Report

Sherburne County Sheriff Joel Brott gave the annual report for the township. He stated that there were 2,664 calls for service in 2021.This is up from 2020, which had the SCSO respond to 2,228 calls for service. Brott believes this is due to people staying at home more during the first year of the pandemic. The number is closer to being on par with the number of calls for service from 2019, 2,380. This is a trend that has been seen across the county. 

Serious crimes committed in the county included six assaults, four burglaries, two narcotic arrests, eight DUIs, three criminal sexual conduct, 20 thefts, and 19 CDPs. 

Sheriff Brott went on to mention the mental health co-responder program. Roy Neumann is a mental health professional who, in the past year, has worked with the Sheriff’s Office, Big Lake Police Dept., Becker Police Dept., and Elk River Police Dept. Recently, Neumann was issued his own law enforcement vehicle so he can directly respond to calls requiring his expertise. The goal of this program is to have Neumann follow up with individuals in need of mental health assistance and make sure they receive any care they need. 

Sheriff Brott was pleased to let the board know that the county jail recently was re-accredited with the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, which indicates that the jail is meeting the high standards for health care put forth by the commission. The Sheriff’s Office is also accredited with the ACA (American Correctional Association) and CALEA (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies). Holding all three accreditations is known as the “triple crown” and is a feat accomplished by only around 50 law enforcement agencies in the nation.

Sheriff Brott ended his presentation by suggesting the board and audience follow the Sheriff’s Office on social media. 

In Other Business, the Board:

• Heard an update on Big Lake development from Community Development Director Hanna Klimmek;

• Authorized the clerk and members of the board as authorized signers for township bank accounts and to open new accounts.