Before the start of regular business Monday night, the Haven Twp. meeting was recessed for the Board of Equalization, which had been rescheduled due to bad weather. There was no public comment.

 

Co. Assessor Greg Olson and four staff members were in attendance to update the board on property sales and values in the township. The total estimated valuation of Haven Twp. property is $280,979,600.

 

For comparison purposes, the board asked about surrounding townships and were told Clear Lake Twp. is $275 million, Becker Twp. is $638 million, Palmer Twp. is $356 million and Big Lake Twp. is $896 million.

 

A brief discussion was held on how solar arrays are assessed; solar is currently on 130 acres of township properties.

 

 

Supervisor Mark Knowles told the board about a new process where recycled tires are placed on the roadbed that helps hold the base, and said he feels it’s something they should consider for at least parts of the upcoming Sherwood Shores project. He will follow up with Bogart Pederson.

 

Jeff and Carol Groth again approached the board to discuss the 31st Street upgrade final agreement put together by Attorney David Meyers, which they stated they were satisfied with.

 

The agreement gives the Groths three and a half years to get the road built. If a buyer is found they will need to come back to the board with the proposal.

 

A brief discussion was held on an existing billboard easement in the right-of-way. As the billboard isn’t in that area, Supervisor Jeff Schlingmann advised asking them to vacate that part of the easement.

 

A resident approached the board to inquire about recent road plowing, stating he had left a message with Knowles but hadn’t heard back.

 

Knowles explained during each snow event he receives dozens of calls, and if he doesn’t hear back he assumes the road has been done. If a second call is received he follows up.

 

When the resident continued to express dissatisfaction, Supervisor Mike Pesch stated, “Our snowplow driver isn’t trying to not plow your road, we’re not trying to not plow your roads. It was a miscommunication.”

 

 

St. Cloud has signed off on the Kilian Drain, the township has been decertified MS4.

 

Deputy Clerk Tammy Schefers informed the board the water testing is in; information will be in the township newsletter that will be mailed out in the next week.

 

Pesch informed the board he had received a phone call from a resident asking about annexation with St. Cloud; there is currently nothing in the works.

 

The road tour was tentatively set for May 18. Supervisor Kathi Koslowski, Supervisor Randy Linn and contractor Jeff Rhodes will tour and report back to the board.

 

The sheriff reported 84 incidents for March, including 25 traffic, seven medicals, four accidents, one property damage and one theft of wire from an irrigator.

 

The next Haven Twp. meeting will be May 20 at 7 p.m.