First on the agenda of the Haven Twp. meeting last week was two public hearings; a rezoning request and changes to a proposed solar farm.
Sue Swanson approached the board to explain the rezoning request for her Teders property, which is currently zoned agricultural; the land in front is zoned industrial.
She explained that although they have no plans for the property, they would like to have it rezoned to industrial to make it more attractive to future buyers and so that both properties are zoned the same.
With no public comments, a motion carried to send positive comments to the county.
The second public hearing was for the solar farm that is planned on the Hartmann Property. The footprint of the project has been reduced 30’ on both the north and west sides and the name has been changed to Hartmann Community Solar LLC.
With no public comments, a motion carried to send positive comments to the county for both changes.
Sherwood
West Project
At 7:15, the board opened bids for the Sherwood West project dirt work. Four were submitted, Vons Trucking and Excavating, Helmin Construction, Inc., TS Dirt Works LLC and Gertken Bros., Inc.
Gertken Bros Inc. had the low bid with $98, 216. After the township’s engineer had reviewed the paperwork, he recommended going with the low bidder.
A motion carried approving the bid. A representative from Gertken’s indicated they anticipated the project would begin towards the end of September.
A second motion carried to put together a bid package for the bituminous work so bid opening can be held at the September meeting.
Supervisor Mark Knowles advised members of the audience attending the meeting who lived in Sherwood West to remove any personal property they had in the right-of-way as soon as possible.
Supervisor Kathi Kosloski informed them their mailboxes would be moved to a temporary location during the project, and they may not be replaced in the same spot they were previously in, as the township needs to follow post office guidelines. Breakaway swing poles will be used.
A resident inquired about the replacement of driveways at the completion of the roadwork. Knowles explained bituminous will be used; if residents want a different material it will be their responsibility to pay any additional costs and to let the board know of their intentions.
Drainage Violation
Zachary Heilman approached the board to explain why a drainage had been constructed across the back of his lot on the township’s easement. As the work had been done without township permission and connected to the township’s road ditch, a violation letter had been sent.
Heilman explained his intention wasn’t to contest the violation, but to explain why it had occurred and ask for advice on what he could do to both repair the violation and prevent water on his property, which has received heavy field runoff this spring and summer.
“You’re responsible for the water on your property,” said Chairman Jeff Schlingmann. “Our ditches are for the roadways, not for draining private properties. I suggest you work with the adjacent property owner to build a holding pond for the runoff.”
“The violation letter says to put it back the way it was,” said Heilman. “And historically the water runs into the drainage easement.”
The board agreed they wanted it restored to the way it was previously, and a motion carried requiring reclamation of the property by the next meeting.
Other Business
After reviewing the requested survey, a motion carried authorizing Twp. Attorney David Meyer to work with the 65th Street and 50th Ave. property owners to correct the road order mistakes that were discovered by Bogart, Pederson & Assoc. during a separate survey. The board was informed of the discrepancies last month.
There was no sheriff’s report available at the time of the meeting.
The next Haven Twp. meeting will be Sept. 16 at 7 p.m.
