During their meeting last week, Palmer Twp. Treasurer Roger Johnson informed the board the capital improvement plan bond had been paid in full, which means the township now has full ownership of the fire hall and sheriff’s office.

 

The board had decided to pay off the bond this April versus waiting until 2020, saving the township over $2,000.

 

 

The board discussed a number of culverts that need to be installed or replaced throughout the township, including one on 90th Ave., at the intersection of 42nd and 124th, and on the north side of Briggs Creek on 42nd. 

 

Drainage issues that need to be resolved at Sleepy Oaks were discussed along with needed winter road damage repairs.

 

Chairman Mike Ganz requested potholes to be filled as soon as possible.

 

 

Jeff Haus of Haus Construction approached the board to request a septic setback variance on 55th Street. Although he had brought the issue before the board last month, since that time the variance had changed from 54’ to 39’. 

 

A motion carried to send favorable comments to the county.

 

Haus also approached the board to request a CUP (conditional use permit) request for a personal storage structure on 115th Ave. A motion carried approving the request.

 

Brian Dockendorf approached the board with a CUP request for a personal storage structure on his 40-acre property on 121st. Ave.; the request is needed as there isn’t currently a home on the property. He informed the board he plans to build one in spring 2020. 

 

A motion carried to send favorable comments to the county.

 

A motion carried approving driveway permits in Sleepy Oaks development.

 

In order to ensure roads are developed to their specifications, the agreement between the developer and the township states building permits can’t be issued until rough grading has been approved by the township. Township Attorney David Meyers informed the board he would email the provision to the county so they were aware of the provision, and advised the board not to direct any construction or drainage issues.

 

 

The township was asked if it would take over the bi-monthly cleaning of the sheriff’s office. After a brief discussion, the board decided to decline.

 

Ganz was nominated and re-elected as township chairman.

 

A motion carried approving township employees to receive wages of $15 an hour with the exception of Mitch Hoefer, who will receive $16 because of his extra responsibilities. Johnson’s flat monthly fee will increase to $400.

 

A motion carried approving the $500 donation to the Historical Society that was voted on at the annual meeting.

 

The lake association will be having their annual garage sales May 9 – 12 and their first summer meeting June 8. Fourth of July fireworks will be July 5 with the boat parade July 6.

 

Cleanup day will be May 4 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

 

The sheriff reported 72 points of contact for March, including 21 traffic stops that resulted in five citations, seven medicals, three check the welfare calls, one fraud complaint, one property damage and one burglary; DNA samples were obtained and suspects identified.

 

The fire department reported 18 calls, nine of which were in Palmer Twp.

 

The Board of Equalization meeting will be 9 a.m. on April 16 at town hall, spring road tour to follow.

 

The next Palmer Twp. meeting will be May 13 at 7 p.m.