Thursday, March 28th, 2024 Church Directory

Lynden Twp. Board discusses temporary road closure request

The Douglas Bischoff Franklin Road temporary closure request was discussed during Lynden Twp.’s January meeting. Bischoff had previously requested the road be closed to motor vehicle traffic due to dumping and illegal activity taking place on it. 

The township has never maintained the road past 222nd Street, and neither Supervisor Dennis Niemi nor the Stearns Co. Surveyors office could find documentation of when the township obtained the road. If closed, two property owners would be required to sign damage waivers and a hold harmless agreement. 

Emergency vehicles would still need access to the road if it is closed. Bischoff indicated he would pay for Stearns Co. approved breakaway style barricades and the cost of installation. 

The board noted numerous other township roads besides Franklin had issues with dumping and illegal activity as well. Clerk Jenny Schmidt informed the board she had received a letter from a resident objecting to the closure, and Supervisor Tom Plaggerman informed them he had received three verbal objections. 

A motion carried to table the issue to the February meeting.

Twp. Updates

Stearns Co. Environmental Services confirmed a wetland violation is occurring at a Fairfax Road property, which could also potentially affect DNR wetland. Enforcement will continue through SCES, and the item was removed from the agenda until new information has been received.

A report of an alleged residential living space in an existing building on 21st Ave. E was inspected by Building Inspector Nancy Scott, who informed the board the complaint was unfounded as no living space was found.

Stearns Co. Hwy. reviewed the site of the Mark Dirksen Countryside Industrial Park 2340 197th Street E grading and retention pond PID and found it to be substantially in compliance.

The Nick Dickson final Sister Shores plat review on Basswood Road was signed by Twp. Chair Dave Johnson in December. 

Other Business

Two recycling contract proposals were received prior to the Dec. 30 deadline, one was received late. Proposals from Republic Services and West Central Sanitation were opened, and a brief summary given. Further discussion was tabled to the February meeting

Plaggerman will contact Clearwater Twp. to determine availability of their facility for Lynden Twp.’s spring cleanup day.

The township’s audit and budget meeting were schedule for January 27. 

The next Lynden Twp. meeting will be Feb. 1 at 7:00 p.m.