During their meeting this week, Haven Township discussed issues regarding the closing of their landing on 45th. 

 

Supervisor Jeff Schlingmann reminded the board the primary reason they wanted to close the landing was due to complaints about the general public using it to access the lake, and it was encouraging people to park on the township roads, which is illegal.

 

Supervisors Kathi Koslowski and Mark Knowles reviewed the site, and reported the way the markers for the closure were staked they would take off a portion of the adjacent property owner’s porch and all the steps down to the lake.

 

“It [the landing] serves us no purpose at all,” said Koslowski. “We get no tax for it, it’s a liability. What would prohibit us from selling it?”

 

Schlingmann stated he felt it was important for the township to maintain public access, offering dry hydrants as an example of why they would want to do so.

 

Knowles argued the problem was the board wanted to see chevrons 66 feet at adjacent roads which makes the landowner’s driveway unusable, and said he can’t, and won’t, physically close it the way the board resolved to do so.

Supervisor Mike Pesch said he was in agreement with Schlingmann on the idea of creating licensing options with affected property owners and retaining the township’s right of way. 

 

Schlingmann agreed the matter should be looked into, and in the meantime recommended if the adjacent property owners are impacted negatively they contact the township to negotiate a licensing agreement. Township’s Lawyer, David Meyers, will be asked to contact them for a proposal at the Aug. meeting.

 

Schlingmann informed the board the fieldwork on the Elk River Estates road improvement project has been completed and mapping was being created.

 

Jeff Rhodes reported the Prairie Woods sinkhole was excavated and has been re-compacted. It will be blacktopped after it’s settled.

 

After reviewing the bids received last month from Jeff Rhodes and Marson Contractors for the township’s 2016/2017 snow removal season, Knowles and Koslowski were ready to make a recommendation to the board.

 

“If you have someone who knows your roads you’re usually better off,” said Koslowski. “We recommend the contract be awarded to Jeff Rhodes without any modifications.”

 

“His proposal is solid and he’s familiar with us,” added Knowles, restating the only stipulation was the contract would be for one year only, with the option to extend it at a later date.

 

District 12B State Rep. Jim Knoblach updated the board on the latest state session.  

 

He explained his budget bill was only one of four major finance bills that passed and became law in regular session. Among its highlights are additional funding for District 742 and eliminating state income tax on military retirement pay.

 

Knoblach informed the board the tax bill passed through the house and senate but was vetoed by the Governor. Among other things, it contained tax relief for small business owners, giving them a state property tax exemption on the first $100,000 of their property value, and gave a $1,000 tax credit to students with student loans.

 

The extra transportation bill fell apart in the senate, and bonding and public works fell apart with it. For the St. Cloud area, this included $20 million for remodeling at the St. Cloud State Prison and another $20 million for remodeling the old Eastman Hall at St. Cloud State University. He stated he expects these will probably be coming back in a late August special session.

 

Residents Gary and Peggy Blake approached the board to ask for recommendations on steps to resolve a dispute with a neighbor, John Kerwin.

 

Kerwin erected a livestock partition fence in a slough area around seven years ago and is attempting to force them to help pay for its upkeep. He sites a law from the late 1800’s which states they’re required to pay for half of it. The Blakes have no livestock.

 

The board informed the Blakes there was nothing they could do, as this is a civil matter between two property owners. They directed them to contact Sherburne County Planning and Zoning, as they deal with wetlands, and to speak with a lawyer that specializes in cases like this.

 

The deputy reported there were 75 calls for service for Haven Township for the month of June.

 

The next Haven Township meeting will be August 15 at 7 p.m.