Clear Lake Mayor Tim Goenner attended the Clear Lake Township meeting Tuesday to discuss plans for annexation with the city.

 

Originally the city planned to annex down Hwy 24 to Co. Rd. 8 and the wastewater plant. However he informed the board that was been amended to extend only to 70th Ave. and Clearview Elementary. 

 

Goenner explained the city is putting in a new well and is planning a second test well near the school. They would also want to include that area in the annexation if the new well ends up located there.

 

New Sherburne County Public Works Director Andrew Witter introduced himself and discussed how the county views road projects. He explained his goal is always safety and working towards zero “run off the road” deaths.

 

He informed the board Co. Rd. 6 and Co. Rd. 8 would be reconstructed this year, and work on Co. Rd. 8 SE was likely for 2018.

 

Engineer Terrance Vander Eyk discussed potential options for large crack repairs needed at Riverwood Estates. He plans to meet with Jeff Rhodes from Driveway Services LLC for his suggestions, and will bring recommendations to the board at the March meeting.

 

The board discussed the White Farm speed limit signs requested by residents and determined they weren’t warranted. A speed trailer set up in the area didn’t reveal enough speeding to justify them.

 

A motion passed to accept a bid for $16,528 from Schendzielos & Sons, Inc. for work on 71st street.

 

The board reviewed potential verbiage for their new driveway policy. Vander Eyk said he would check how the county’s ordinance is worded and present another draft at the March meeting.

 

Tom Greene from SoCore Energy approached the board, requesting a favorable recommendation on their request for a new IUP (interim use permit) for the solar farm they’re planning to build. A new IUP is needed due to their name change; the project itself hasn’t changed from the original.

 

Duane Hebert from Novel Energy Solutions approached the board, requesting favorable comments on their appeal regarding the new IUP the county informed them was needed. The company recently added LLC (limited liability company) to their name, however the original IUP application explicitly noted an LLC ownership, so Novel is appealing the need for a new permit.

 

The board agreed to submit favorable recommendations to the county for both parties.

 

The board discussed the draft of their resolution for the compensation of fence viewers, and agreed to add in a nonrefundable security deposit of $1,000 along with all administrative costs. 

 

Chairman Gary Gray informed the board he had spoken with an architect regarding a new town hall, and requested $7,500 for a preliminary draft that will be needed for building cost estimates.

 

A motion passed allowing up to $10,000 to be spent for a preliminary plan.

 

The Elk Lake dumpster put in place for people ice fishing is being abused, so it will be removed.

 

The board granted approval to a Long Lake Lane resident requesting permission to remove a tree in the township’s right of way.

 

Tri-County Humane Society informed the township they would provide animal control at no cost, however they won’t haul the animals. After a brief discussion the board decided to continue their contract with Monticello.

 

The sheriff reported 56 calls for service in January, including one residential burglary being investigated, one DUI, five accidents and one mail theft.  Residents are advised not to leave mail in their mailboxes.

 

The next Clear Lake Township meeting will be March 21 at 7 p.m.