The Haven Town Board approved resolutions to send positive comment to the Sherburne County Planning Commission regarding proposed ordinances for future solar and current outbuilding restrictions during their regular meeting Monday Night.  The board postponed action on a request for positive comment on a request for a conditional use permit (CUP) from Xcel Energy until the May board meeting.

 

During the discussion of the request for comment, Chairman Jeff Schlingmann stated that, while a number of other townships had expressed concerns or opposition to “solar farms” in Sherburne County, it was “hard to see a down side” to proposals that would add to the tax base while not adding to the cost of running the township.  He cited a new home development as an example, which would also add to the tax base but would include expenses for road maintenance and other services, which a solar operation would not have.  Supervisor Mike Pesch made a resolution that the board provide positive comment on the proposed county ordinance, which the full board unanimously approved.

 

The board also approved positive comment on a proposed resolution prohibiting construction of non-residential outbuildings on property that does not already include a home.  Current regulations do not allow for such buildings, and the new regulations will further define those stipulations, Schlingmann said.

 

Comment on a CUP request from Xcel Energy for a CUP in regard to a gas pipeline that would cross under Hwy 10 and under the Mississippi River to St. Augusta was postponed until the May 18 board meeting, when a public comment session will be included on the agenda before the town board decides on the comment they will send to the county.

 

Schlingmann informed the board that the snow plowing service to the township currently provided by Clint Schendzielos will not be available next year, as the contractor has opted to concentrate his plowing and maintenance activities to Palmer Township.  Dates for bids on a new plowing contract will be announced at a later meeting.

 

The board also approved signing of a form in regard to a proposed county road on CR 65 and CR 3 that will require work on the slope of a curve on 45th Ave. that will involve property outside of the township right-of-way.  The county will need to get approvals from property owners before the project can be completed.

 

Approval was granted for a resolution to have the Bogart Peterson engineering firm perform work not to exceed $2,000 for completion of the annual Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) by the June 30 reporting deadline.  Schlingmann told the board that the level of complexity of the new forms requires professional engineering work, since township reporting responsibilities have increased greatly in recent years.

 

The board also approved $4,750 for a black granite sign for the town hall from the Rex Granite Company.  In the interest of transparency, the board noted that the company is the family business of Clerk Mike Zniewski, whose position does not allow him a vote on township matters in any event.  The cost was not significant enough to require the board to seek other bids, Schlingmann said.

 

The sheriff’s report indicated 75 calls for service in Haven Township in March, including 29 traffic stops, one DUI, one drug arrest and one grass fire.

 

The annual Clean-Up day will take place on May 16 from 8 a.m. to noon.  Charges will be the same as last year, according to Supervisor Kathy Sims-Kosloski, and Sherburne County Master Gardeners will be on hand to collect unused pots, and bikes may be donated to the Yellow Bike program again this year.