The Becker Township board recently met to discuss residential concerns, the last days of winter on the roads, and the bid opening for the 185th Avenue project. 

 

 

185th Ave SE is a reconstruction project that is continuing off the project from last year. This work is going to consist of reclamation of the existing bituminous into the existing aggregate base along with grading, culvert installations and finally a base course of bituminous with temporary striping as the plan is to put the wear course on all of 185th Avenue SE next year.

 

 The main topics discussed were what improvements were going to be made, how driveways will be affected as far as grades and what material is going to be put back in, especially for those who currently have a concrete driveway.

 

All the driveway grades were analyzed and kept within the design tolerances.  The material is dictated by the township ordinance In which if one has a gravel driveway, a 2’ bit bump out will be provided, if one has a bituminous driveway, bituminous will be provided to the cut out line, if one has a concrete driveway, bituminous will also be provided to the cut out line.  However, homeowners however have the chance to do the work themselves in which case something will be worked out with the contractor.  

 

There were some specific concerns such as a county contract to maintain prairie vegetation on their property, in which the Sherburne County SWCD was contacted and seed will be provided to maintain the contract.

 

Knife River will be awarded the bid, pending project documentation.

 

 

During the open forum, owners from Accurate Automotive spoke about their concern with flooding in the small street leading into their parking lot. The township lawyer, Kelly Bourgeois, said the township should not be involved with maintaining business lots. The street in question was dedicated to the township but there is no public roadway. Kelly suggested that a formal arrangement be made between the township and businesses on the land which was dedicated to the township, but which is technically owned by the businesses (and therefore their responsibility).

 

 

The Becker Fire Dept. was able to purchase new air sensor monitors with a $4500 donation they received last month. 

 

Many complaints were received about ice chunks and slippery roads. The township is aware of the road conditions which made it difficult for people to drive and walk. It’s been a tough season and extra plowing and scraping was done frequently to help. However, with spring here now, most of those issues should be resolved.