Tuesday, July 8th, 2025 Church Directory
CLEAR LAKE TWP. ENGINEER Terrance Vander Eyk updates the Clear Lake Twp. board of supervisors at their meeting Tuesday night. (Photo by Penny Leuthard)

Clear Lake Twp. Discussed Solar Farm Trees

By Penny Leuthard, Staff Writer
 
During their meeting Tuesday night, the Clear Lake Twp. board of Supervisors discussed road updates, solar farm trees, and the township park.
 
Road Report
 
Clear Lake Twp. Engineer Terrance Vander Eyk informed the board another sinkhole is developing on 86th Ave., which he believes is due to water levels on one side of the road being higher than the other.
 
The 97th St. overlay has been delayed due to the late spring; the contractor will be using a tight blade operation that will be above and beyond the original contract.
 
Eyk and Clear Lake Mayor Tim Goenner met to discuss the project. He gave Goenner the go ahead; the amount is still less than the original estimate.
 
Eyk told the board he had heard back from the county regarding the sketch for the new fill station that was submitted in May. They had no issues with it, however, they are concerned about the traffic count; he informed them it was only for an auxiliary water supple, and no more than 10 trips per year are anticipated.
 
The fill station easement is progressing; the goal is to have everything up and running by snowfall.
 
Solar Farm Trees
 
Supervisor Bud Stimmler told the board some solar farm trees are looking terrible, and was wondering if the ordinance requiring trees should be changed.
As it’s a county ordinance, Chairman Gary Gray said he would contact the county and see what could be done, such as amending the ordinance to state the trees have to also be maintained.
 
Twp. Park
 
Stimmler informed the board the Eagle Scout project, which included planting 30 white pine trees, had been completed at the township park.
 
He asked whether the board felt they should spend more money on wildflowers for the east side of the park, as there are now numerous volunteer trees growing in the area. 
 
“I don’t know if we can stay ahead of it,” he said. “We may want to let Mother Nature take over.”
 
The board decided to leave the area alone.
 
History Book
 
Stimmler informed the board they’ll be selling the township history book during the Clear Lake City reunion being held at Goenner Park on June 30, as well as other places and events as opportunities arise. Eventually there will be an official book launch.
 
The hard cover copies of the books are in; they will be given to people who helped out with the project after the author has signed them.
 
Other Business
 
Stimmler informed the board he had been attending the Northern Metal meetings in Becker. He learned there will be 549 trucks per day going to the business, and more than half of them will be coming down Co. Rd. 8.
 
“It’s a county road but affects everyone in the township,” he said. “The county should be fixing that up somehow, it’s a lot more traffic for our residents.”
Gray informed the board the new fire contract had been approved at the June Clear Lake City Council meeting.
 
He told them the ordinance imposing a service charge for emergency services is in conflict with the new contract; he will talk to their lawyer about having the ordinance abolished or amended.
 
Clerk Mary Mathison asked for board approval on money to train the upcoming election judges on the new e-poll machines the county has purchased, which they gave.
 
The sheriff reported 92 calls for service for May, including one assault that turned into a felony assault charge, one sexual assault that is still being investigated, one shed and one vehicle fire, six medical and 41 traffic.
 
The next Clear Lake Twp. meeting will be July 17 at 7 p.m.