During their meeting Monday night, Bruce Busta approached the Haven Twp. board of supervisors to discuss the removal of trees along 36th Ave. that will occur during the township’s upcoming Sherwood Shores West road project. 

 

Busta and other residents had approached the board during their January meeting to ask them to reconsider the removal of the Burr Oaks. The board had agreed to table the decision until the February meeting after they’d had the chance to look over the area again.

 

Busta told the board of the 50 trees marked for removal, 13 Burr Oak Trees had been identified; they were asking for 12 to be preserved as they’re a remnant of the area’s original oak savannah. He added that they need virtually no maintenance, and as most are in a small cul de sac safety wasn’t really an issue.

 

“They’re part of our heritage and were here before the area was settled,” he said. “Most are 150 years old or more, and they have a lifespan of 200 to 400 years.”

Supervisor Mike Pesch indicated he was concerned about snow removal and that others would also want their trees preserved.

 

“I have a hard time with clearing trees,” said Supervisor Randy Linn. “We have to be open and cognizant of why we do this. My thought would be to look at individual trees.”

 

Supervisor Mark Knowles agreed he didn’t like cutting down trees either, however, if they start picking and choosing there would be no end to the debate.

 

“There’s a reason the state and counties clear the right-of-ways,” he said. “It’s easier to maintain the roads. We’re the road authority. I think it’s our job as board members to clear the right-of ways in the township as a whole.”

 

Supervisor Kathi Kosloski stated that although she was concerned they could get into a continuous debate over trees, she felt some of the trees in question were set far enough back not to cause problems.

 

“When we decided to do this road project part of the discussion was we were going to remove the trees,” said Supervisor Jeff Schlingmann. “It’s our right-of-way, our trees.”

 

A motion carried four to one to continue with the original tree removal plan.

 

 

Jeff Groth approached the board to discuss options for the 31st Street road upgrade he’s required to have done if he wants to connect his additional lot to.

“At a minimum, what the board expects from you is that you extend the road so you can connect to it,” said Knowles. “If you want access to lot one you need to complete the road as platted.”

 

He explained when land is improved the road is the landowner’s expense, but once it’s built to standards the township then maintains it.

 

“I have to get access in there if I want to sell the lot,” said Groth. “The problem being is 20 years ago I was told not to worry about it. I guess I should have taken it more seriously.”

 

Knowles recommended he work with the engineer for cost estimates and get some answers from MnDOT so he doesn’t start working on the project and run into problems.

 

 

Knowles explained in big snow events their concern the first time around when plowing the roads is to clear a path; the second time through it’s cleaned up and widened.

 

A motion carried approving keeping the proposed 2020 levy at $461,000, the same as last year.

 

The sheriff reported 100 points of contact for January, including 16 traffic, two DUIs, one theft, one mailbox damaged and two ATVs recovered from a burglary in Benton Co.

 

The next Haven Twp. meeting will be March 18 at 7 p.m. The township’s annual meeting is scheduled for March 12 at 7 p.m.