The Becker Twp. Board Monday faced a chock full agenda that included property drainage issues, a possible road extension, the opening of maintenance bids and  a surprise announcement from  long-serving board member Gary Hammer, who abruptly announced he was resigning his seat effective at adjournment.

 

Hammer gave no real explanation for his sudden stepping down, but did cite it will free up his schedule for other things.

 

Hammer said he’s already been in conversation with former Board Member Jeff Lambert and Lambert has agreed to fill Hammer’s seat until March and then file to run to gain the seat through the election.

 

Clerk Lucinda Messman mentioned two seats will be up for election in the spring since she learned Board Member Jamie Johnson does not plan to run for his seat this year.

 

Eight to 10 people from  the Oak Crest and Cedar Crest properties in Becker Twp. brought forth a signed petition from all property owners along those two streets to convince the board to halt progress in attempting to connect the two streets through an easement.

 

The issue arose when one property owner at the end of a cul-de-sac began facing drainage issues after 168th Street was re-paved. According to the citizens involved, the road now causes water to drain and pool on one homeowner’s driveway.

 

The board began investigating an old suggestion from a previous group of board members that recommended connecting the cul-de-sac on 168th Street with 166th to the north to create an alternate option for drivers to enter and exit the developments. They also suggested making the road connection to make the situation safer, so emergency vehicles such as fire trucks, ambulances and sheriff’s deputies could access the properties more effectively.

 

One property owner, Dennis Schmidt, who owns land that he would sacrifice should a road be built, argued the new road would put his dwelling precariously close to the road and would kill habitat, lose trees and reduce privacy.

 

“We have a very peaceful neighborhood right now with very little traffic,” Schmidt said. “Having an outlet would mean more traffic and most likely higher speeds. Please leave it as is.”

 

Member Hammer said his greatest concern is for emergency officials trying to get in and out of the neighborhoods and he said he would have a hard time accepting the fact someone’s loved one didn’t receive the proper care because the ambulance or fire truck or whatever had a hard time navigating the roads in and out.

 

Twp. Engineer Terrance VanderEyk said to connect the two streets, it would cost the township around $100,000.

 

“My biggest issue is making sure the fire department and sheriff’s department has multiple accesses to homes in those areas,” he said. “Our roles here on the board is to look at safety over privacy or habitat.”

 

Resident Mark Wimmer suggested the board drop the idea of connecting the two roads and focus on just fixing the drainage issue at the one property owner’s home.

 

“I suggest you make Hardrives (contractor) go in and fix the road they built to correct the drainage issue,” he said. “They’re the ones who have created this problem and that would be the most cost-effective fix.”

 

The board thanked the guests for expressing their concerns and promised they would take all the issues under consideration as they continue to discuss solutions.

 

Deputy Dan Franks said his department fielded 159 calls for service in the month of November. Sixty-nine of those calls were for traffic situations while 12 were reported as motor vehicle accidents.

 

Franks also mentioned the sheriff’s department has received three reports of thefts of packages from homeowner’s stoops. He cautioned citizens to keep their eyes open to any suspicious activity in relation to deliveries and always be sure and bring packages in immediately after they are delivered, if possible.

 

Maintenance Contract

Three quotes for the township maintenance contract for 2017 were opened  by Chairman Brian Kolbinger. The board will review the bids and award the contract next month. 

 

The three contractors bidding for the business were Wruck Excavating, Schiendzelos & Sons and Herbst Excavating.

 

• Eyk presented drafts of signage for the proposed Lester Olson Memorial Snake River Crossing. The board reviewed, suggested some changes and asked Eyk to re-submit new designs at next month’s meeting;

 

• Hammer reported for the fire board and said the board is starting their new budget cycle and the department is looking at reorganizing some lieutenants and captains;

 

• Kolbinger said he attended the townships’ first official meeting with the Hwy. 25 corridor project and said the coalition is currently doing traffic studies to determine where best to propose a new bridge over the Mississippi;

 

• The local board of appeal and equalization meeting is scheduled for April 11 at 9 a.m.;

 

• A quote to install electrical components to the township front table for electricity was approved by the board;

 

• Filing dates for two board seats are Jan. 3-17;

 

• The January and February board meetings have been changed to the fourth Monday of each month due to federal holidays;

 

• Attorney Kelli Bourgeois was given the go-ahead to draft a ordinance to deal with sexual predators being released to township neighborhoods.

 

The next Becker Twp. Board meeting is Jan. 23 at 7 p.m.