During Haven Twp.’s meeting Monday night, resident Bruce Hentges approached the board to inquire about dust control on 63rd Street S. due to concerns with the dust ending up in Pickerel Lake. Water also runs across the road, creating more lake pollution.

 

He explained he had approached the board about the issue in the past and a chemical spray option had been discussed, but the runoff from it was ultimately determined to be worse for the lake than the dust.

 

He inquired about the possibility of paving a short section of the road up to the top of the hill, which would significantly help the dust problem. The distance would only be around 500 to 600 feet. 

 

“I realize it would raise our property taxes,” said Hentges. “But we feel it’s important to preserve our lake.”

 

The board indicated they would take the request into consideration and look at options and what the costs would be. The township currently has their roads ranked from most in need of repair to least that it has been following for prioritizing road projects.

 

Supervisor Mark Knowles recommended Hentges also contact the county and state about the issue in the meantime. 

 

 

Knowles informed the board he’s been in touch with the engineer on the Sherwood West project, and he’s reviewing concerns over use and construction of the drainage easement. Because the engineering was originally done a number of years ago when the project first came up, the township wants to be sure there are no new laws they have to be in compliance with.

 

Knowles indicated that as soon as he hears from the engineer, and assuming there’s no red flags, bids will go out for dirt work so the project can begin in June as planned. He asked for and received permission from the board to set up a bid letting before the next township meeting if everything looks good.

 

A resident asked about the condition of the road, which is currently a mess. Knowles explained that the township can’t grade on dry gravel roads, and now that it’s rained they will be working on them.

 

“We do them as often as we can when it’s needed,” he said.

 

Jeff Rhodes informed the board the barricade on 45th that had been taken out by a car has been replaced.

 

He and Supervisors Kathi Kosloski and Randy Linn will be going on a road tour with the county tentatively set for June 16. 

 

 

Kosloski reported 230 household owners attended cleanup day May 11. Eighteen brought in items they removed from township ditches, which are free to dispose of. Thirty-two bikes were collected for St. Cloud State University’s Yellow Bike Project and the Master Gardeners collected two truckloads of items for their use.

 

Kosloski gave a shout-out to Deputy Clerk Tammy Schefers, who made it possible for the township to also offer water testing for nitrates during the event. Forty-seven residents took advantage of the free testing.

 

 

The township has received a letter terminating their responsibility for the MS4 system. A motion carried repealing the township ordinance that dealt with MS4.

 

Each member of the board now has an official township email; they can be found on the township’s website.

 

The sheriff reported 66 calls for service for April, including five traffic violations, two domestics and two thefts, one of a credit card and one of an unlocked vehicle in which tools were taken.

 

The next Haven Twp. meeting will be June 17 at 7 p.m.