The Haven Twp. board of supervisors discussed a resolution concerning parcel splits at their meeting Monday night.

 

Township Attorney David Meyers explained the new Sherburne Co. resolution gives the auditor the authority to contact the board with questions on parcel splits. The board will then have 24 hours to review and determine if a request is allowable or not according to their zoning ordinance.

 

“This provides us an opportunity up front to limit the number of non-conforming lots that are split,” said Meyers, who recommended the board adopt the resolution. “It’s a heads-up to us right away.”

 

The resolution passed unanimously.

 

The board reviewed final items that need to be completed before the Elk River Estates road improvement project is completed, including clearing out the culverts which will be done once seeding is established.

 

A motion passed to pay two bills to Bogart, Pederson & Associates; the remainder of the project will be paid after the project is finalized.

 

Jeff Rhodes updated the board on current road maintenance work. Supervisor Mark Knowles requested he look into a complaint about a large pothole on Valley View.

 

The township hasn’t been informed when the 32nd and 52nd Street railroad crossing will begin, although power boxes have been installed.

 

Representative Jim Knobloch attended the meeting to update the board on current legislature. He explained a bill concerning the old partition fence law, which went back to territorial days, was finally passed.

 

The old law specified both land owners had to split the cost of livestock fencing, even if only one party owned animals. This was changed so landowners without livestock can’t be forced to pay any longer.

 

He informed the board he was working with Lynden Twp. on the MS4 (municipal stormwater) law and asked if Haven was also interested. The board indicated they were, and asked to be notified when a meeting has been set up. 

 

Knobloch was asked if he would look into changing the township’s annual audit to every four years instead of every year. Because they no longer have an elected treasurer, Haven needs to have an audit each year, which is a big expense.

 

He was also asked if he would look into whether township officials can take office the day after election. November elections, which Haven now has, state newly elected officials can’t take office until January.

 

Resident David Lindgren approached the board to ask for clarification on why the township will no longer be maintaining 50th Ave. He’s concerned it will be more difficult to sell his 52nd Street property because of the decision.

 

Meyers explained they didn’t know why the township started maintaining it years ago, but it has been determined to be a private road, which township money can’t be spent on.

 

Supervisor Jeff Schlingmann informed the board they’d gotten a request for an MS4 permit from Geronimo Energies, which has taken over the 15-acre five-megawatt solar array that will be built on the property behind the old Appert’s (now Sysco).

 

Supervisor Randy Linn asked if the solar array on Co. Rd. 8 was still a go; Schlingmann replied yes, as far as he was aware.

 

There was no sheriff’s report available at the time of the meeting.

 

The next Haven Twp. meeting will be Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.