The Lynden Township Board had a number of items on their agenda for their February meeting, the majority of which were updates to prior meeting discussions.

 

Supervisor Dave Johnson informed the board he had received requested information regarding the township’s assessment from the repairs to County Ditch 39. He was concerned the township had been paying more than their fair share of ditch assessments, and questioned whether they had been notified of the public hearing regarding the redetermination of benefits for the ditch.

 

The Stearns County auditor’s office indicated the township had paid $226, and had not paid the state’s portion of the assessment. They acknowledged they hadn’t notified the township about the public hearing and apologized for the error.

 

The board was notified two shed house building permits had been issued by Building Official Nancy Scott, one on Woodsedge Road and one on Cty. Rd. 45. 

 

The building on Woodsedge was misclassified and is actually an accessory building with office space and septic; residency isn’t allowed. 

 

The shed house on Co. Rd. 45 will be issued a certificate of occupancy as it is being used as a primary dwelling. Stearns County Environmental Services (SCES) issued the construction site permit, as the property is located in shoreland. 

 

If a home is eventually built on the property, the living quarters must be removed from the shed house and it will be reclassified as an accessory building.

 

The Stearns County Auditor confirmed the original special assessment on the Marvin Messer property at $8,015; $4,294 is still owed. Clerk Jenny Schmidt will follow up to confirm the assessment is still on the books to be repaid, and if the township needs to take any action if the property is ever sold.

 

Resident Tim Melrose indicated he hadn’t heard any complaints before receiving a dog complaint letter from the township, and said he felt the matter could have been handled differently. He was informed that identities of individuals making complaints were not public information according to MN statute. 

 

Township residents with two recycling bins have been notified that only one bin is allowed per parcel. They have been given the option to either return their extra bins or keep them at their own cost.

 

Lake Central Bank requested the township sign a “commercial internet banking hold harmless agreement,” which Township Attorney Michael Couri advised them not to sign. Treasurer Dan Torgersen will inform the bank of their decision, and will look into American Heritage Bank’s policies.

 

Johnson informed the board he has been working on a draft for the township’s 2017 newsletter, and requested $213 for the postage. Rengel Printing will be printing the newsletter.

 

The planning commission will be meeting Feb. 27 at 6 p.m.

 

The annual audit meeting will be Feb. 28 at 6 p.m., with the annual budget meeting following.

 

The next Lynden Township meeting will be March 6 at 7 p.m.