A number of residents attended the Haven Township meeting Monday night to voice concerns on a couple different issues.

 

Dennis Klein approached the board asking for information concerning 52nd Street, as he had received a letter asking him to donate his land along the road.

 

Supervisor Jeff Schlingmann informed him there wasn’t any work planned for the road, the township is just looking to establish a legal 66 ft. right-of-way.

 

“Right now we have a road by use,” explained Supervisor Mark Knowles. “The only reason we’re looking for a road order is because it clears up liability for us and for you. There are no plans to do anything other than improve the railroad crossing and get a legal description.”

 

“The bottom line is, if we don’t get a road order established the crossing won’t go in and you’ll be on a dead end.”

 

After more discussion, Schlingmann advised Klein have his attorney look at the paperwork and contact the township’s attorney to ensure he was comfortable with the process.

 

Aaron Popp approached the board to request an update on the halfway house on 13th Avenue. Recently a warrant had been obtained on the property and arrests made. The sheriff’s department is working with the drug task force in an ongoing active investigation.

 

Schlingmann informed Popp he had spoken with the legal property owner, who told him she wasn’t planning on renewing her license to operate the facility once it expires in July.

 

Until it does, and it reverts back to a single-family residence, the township has no jurisdiction over it.

 

After hearing concerns from a number of residents, Schlingmann said he could make a copy of the owner’s certificate available, and advised people to start making complaints so that a record would be started.

 

Jennifer Gallus, soil scientist from the Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture (MDA), attended the meeting to update the board on the township testing program, which is in place to test nitrates in the drinking water of vulnerable townships.

 

Partnering with Sherburne County Soil and Water, five townships in the county were tested, including Haven and Clear Lake townships, both of which showed 10% or more of private wells with elevated levels of nitrate.

 

Because of this, the MDA, along with a local advisory team, will be promoting best practices for area farmers for three years. After that time they will assess to determine the levels of adoption.

 

“What we’re looking for is at least 80% of cropland acres in Haven and Clear Lake townships using best management practices,” said Gallus. “If we find less than that, best management practices may move from a voluntary basis to a required regulation.”

 

She informed Knowles they were also looking at golf courses due to their high use of fertilizer after he inquired about them. 

 

Cleanup Day was a success, with 200 households participating and a record 34 bikes collected for St. Cloud State University’s Yellow Bike Program.

 

A motion was made to increase the amount paid to the Boy Scouts at next year’s Clean Up Day to $1,000 due to their hard work and initiative.

 

The sheriff reported 94 incidences for April, including 27 traffic, three thefts, three accidents and two fires.

The next Haven Township meeting will be June 19 at 7 p.m.