On the agenda for the Clear Lake Township meeting lastweek was the rebidding of their surfacing contract, annual clean up day and the new township newsletter.

 

Engineer Terrance Vander Eyk reported Sherburne County had rejected their surfacing contract, which will need to be rebid. 

 

Vander Eyk related Palmer and Becker townships also had their surfacing contracts rejected, so his recommendation is to consolidate all three townships into one bid package for economies of scale.

 

Becker Township is interested in this arrangement; he’s waiting to hear from Palmer Township. The board agreed and asked Vander Eyk to continue with this option.

 

Joe Tierney from Sunrise Energy Ventures approached the board concerning the company’s proposal for a new five mega-watt solar farm. When the company presented the proposal last month the board stated they needed more time for review and that there were questions they needed answered.

 

Having received answers to their questions, the board had no further concerns and indicated they would send a favorable recommendation to the county.

 

Treasurer Paul Goenner presented the board with the increased costs and new charges in regards to the upcoming township clean up day May 7, and asked if they wanted to raise prices to reflect these.

After a brief discussion the board made the decision to leave all prices the same as last year.

 

“We still need to look at this as a community service,” Supervisor Gary Gray explained.

 

The township receives a grant from Sherburne County that helps to pay for some of the costs.

 

Clerk Mary Mathison reported 500 plus copies of the township’s first newsletter had been printed at a cost of $329, and should be delivered in the next week. Future newsletters will be sent out once per year or as needed.

 

Featured in the newsletter is voter registration information and township highlights.

Residents are encouraged to visit the township’s website at clearlaketownship.org to sign up for future newsletters to be delivered electronically to help save costs.

 

Bryan Brown from Clearview Elementary approached the board asking for the school’s temporary classrooms IUP (interim use permit) be amended to extend one year versus the five years they had originally been approved for. The school plans on removing the temporary classrooms after the 2016/2017 school year. The board approved the request.

 

Supervisor Bud Stimmler brought forward a request for another gate at Clear Lake Township Park’s dog park, which will make things easier for mowing. Bemboom’s Fence can supply the gate for $125.

 

Vander Eyk reported seal coating would be occurring around mid-June. 

 

There was no sheriff’s report available at the time of the meeting.

 

The next Clear Lake Township meeting will be held May 17 at 7 p.m.