During their meeting Tuesday night, Twp. Engineer Terrance Vander Eyk presented the Clear Lake Twp. Board of Supervisors with an estimate for the new town hall site work.

Not including the installations of the well and septic systems, the estimate came in at $29,854, which is around what had been expected. Some improvements to the parking lot were included in the costs.

Chairman Gary Gray recapped the recent township construction meeting. They had met previously and eliminated one of the four preliminary construction management groups, so at their recent meeting they interviewed the remaining three.

Pending negotiation of the site superintendent fee, a motion carried approving BCI out of Sauk Rapids as the construction manager for the new town hall. All the candidates were pretty even cost-wise, the decision came down to who the township felt most comfortable working with.

Gray will follow up with BCI to schedule meetings and put together bid packages so the project can be released for bids in February.

A motion also carried to hire HMA Architects as construction administrators for $6,800.

“They’ve been with us since the beginning,” said Gray. “I think it’s well worth having them on board, and I think we’ll get a more organized finished product in the end.”

Variance Request

Thomas Hughes and his septic designer approached the board to request a 5’ variance to the property line setback for a new septic system needed on his property as his has failed.

A portion of the original system is currently in the right of way, and due to multiple constraints the only area the new system can be installed has a portion of the drain field located in the right of way as well.

To cover liabilities, Eyk drafted an agreement stating the owner understands there are certain risks he’s agreeing to take by situating the drain field in the right of way. The agreement will be tied to the property if sold.

The board agreed to send positive comments to the county so Hughes can be on the next planning and zoning meeting, and pending approval by their attorney they also approved the agreement. The matter is urgent because the new septic system needs to be installed yet this fall.

Other Business

A representative from Hinterland (Sobania) Solar Farm approached the board with some changes to their site plan, but as it had already been approved previously no action needed to be taken.

A motion carried approving $500 for the Sherburne Co. History Center.

Deputy Clerk Gary Anderson informed the board the township will be holding two elections this spring, the annual township election on March 10, and the Presidential Nomination Primary on March 3, which was last held in 1992.

The sheriff reported 44 calls for service, including one property damage, two car/deer accidents and six medical.

The next Clear Lake Twp. Meeting will be Dec. 17 at 7 p.m.