Incumbent Supervisor Dave Johnson retained his seat on the Lynden Township Board of Supervisors at the annual meeting Tuesday night, winning 42 votes to challenger Dennis Niemi’s 37.

 

Treasurer Dan Torgerson, who was running unopposed, also retained his seat.

 

Jeff Westrom was nominated moderator, and Torgerson gave the treasurer’s report, explaining their balance was down due to planned road expenditures, and revenues were up 13%.

 

The proposed levy came in at a 1.1% drop due to lower costs for the Clearwater Fire Dept., with a total of $347,367. Supervisor Anne Ackerman proposed the township take the $4,000 savings and use it to offset other expenses, resulting in a flat levy.

 

A motion passed to approve the levy in the amount of $351,367.

 

Annandale Fire Chief Dale Machovsky informed residents the Annandale Fire Dept. had responded to 219 calls in 2016, 14 of them in Lynden Township.

 

Clearwater Fire Chief Ryan Pridgeon informed residents the Clearwater Fire Dept. had responded to 241 calls in 2016, 45 of them in Lynden Township. 

 

Ackerman told attendees there would be no spring clean up day this year, however they hoped to have one in the fall.

 

She gave an update on the Plum Creek Neighborhood Network, and informed attendees Beaver Island Trail will be extended to Clearwater.

 

Ackerman told attendees legal fees were up in 2016 due to a kennel CUP revocation and lawsuit, which cost the township nearly $14,000.

 

She said it was a big year for building permits with a total of 33, which included 12 new single-family homes and three commercial new construction/expansions.

 

Ackerman gave the 2016 road report, explaining the township had been doing a lot of clearing along right of ways to make roads safer, and had spent $15,000 on storm water repairs to Alder Road. She also informed residents the township was doing an experimental double chip coat on 161st Street. 

 

A motion was approved to donate $2,000 to the Clearwater Library.

 

Motions were made and approved designating The Citizen-Tribune the official newspaper, Couri & Ruppe as attorney, Allied Waste Services for recycling, and depositories as Lake Central Bank and Sherburne State Bank.

 

The next Lynden Township annual meeting will be March 13, 2018 at 8 p.m.