In a 38-minute meeting, the Palmer Twp. board discussed roads, an alcohol permit, parks, lakes and received an annual report from the county sheriff.

 

Clint Schendzielos issued a warning to the board to prepare for an extensive pot-hole patching effort once the roads clear this spring.

 

Schendzielos said he has observed numerous roads with issues already and advised the board to keep an eye out and identify roads as best they can during their road tour this week.

 

Schiendzielos asked about the turnaround at High Point and was told the board received an engineering quote, but was looking to obtain a second.

 

Schendzielos  was asked to be sure and do a lot of sweeping since excess sand has piled up along the township roads.

 

Treasurer Roger Johnson said this year’s Earth Day event is scheduled for May 5 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. He told the board he plans to finish price comparisons and compose an ad for the Citizen-Tribune newspaper.

 

The board advised the public the water at the park will not be turned on until the third week in May.

 

Schiendzielos also advised the board the new playground equipment will be installed and the old equipment taken down the weekend of Memorial Day.

 

Supervisor Stephen Demueles said the lake association is working on a directory to be printed at a local printer. He also said the association is working on organizing all summer activities for 2018.

 

He also said so far, there have been no high water issues at the lakes so far this spring.

 

Bob Wipper of the Clear Lake Lions was unavailable for Monday’s meeting, however Schiendzielos — being a Lions member himself — asked the board to approve a one-day alcohol permit to be used on Palmer Day this summer.

 

The board approved.

 

Sherburne County Sheriff Joel Brott gave his annual report for 2017.

 

He said his department received 1,145 calls for service last year — an increase of 128 calls from 2016. Brott said the rise was most likely due to traffic stops.

 

Brott said there were zero assaults in Palmer for 2017 compared to a couple in 2016. Just one burglary was reported, compared to 12 last year. There were three narcotics calls compared to  the same as last year and DUIs were at six compared to just one last year.

 

Criminal sexual conduct was at one compared to one last year. Theft was at 15 compared to 20 a year ago. Homicides remained at zero for the last several years.

 

Brott said his department made four new hires in 2017 that include Cody Schyma (May), Benjamin Pollich (May), Derek Sorenson (June) and Keith Woods (June).

 

Brott also mentioned the Sherburne County Jail received an ACA accreditation for setting such high standards, increasing its programs and services, providing a systematic way of evaluation of all administrative and facility operations and providing evidence demonstrating the jail is in compliance with best practices for correctional agencies.

 

Brott pointed out the Sherburne Jail is the second largest county jail in the state behind Hennepin County.

 

The next Palmer Twp. Board meeting is May 21 at 7 p.m.