During their July meeting, the Lynden Twp. Board of Supervisors made a decision to deny the request to close or otherwise restrict traffic on minimum maintenance Franklin Road. 

 

Last month Doug Bischoff requested the board restrict the road with gates because of issues including garbage dumping, illegal activity and safety. Supervisor Dennis Niemi indicated he would research the road’s history and contact the township attorney about options.

 

Niemi informed the board he had little success attempting to research the history of the road and when and how it was established.

Residents present at the meeting indicated the road is Old Highway 52. Supervisor Tom Plaggerman added that he was concerned about a potential land locked piece should the request be granted. 

 

A motion carried denying the request.

 

 

Attorney Troy Gilchrist reviewed the draft for the 13th Ave. town road line agreement and suggested a few changes. Plaggerman also suggested including gravel road maintenance. A motion carried for the revised agreement to be presented to the City of St. Augusta for their consideration.

 

Todd Fruechte approached the board to inquire about a variance for his Emerson Road property; he plans to build an addition onto his house. He informed the board he has been in contact with Twp. Building Inspector Nancy Scott and Stearns Co. Environmental Services as the property is on shore land. Although the road is private but platted, the township regulates the ROW.

 

Planning Administrator James Kantor will follow up with Fruechte on possible variance proceedings.

 

Carl Fagenbaum’s variance application has been approved for building a structure on his Battle Road property; the existing garage will be left as is. A motion carried approving the documents, which Clerk Jenny Schmidt will record with the Stearns Co. recorder.

 

Frontier Communications submitted a right-of-way permit as project owner. Once payment is confirmed Supervisor Dave Johnson will proceed on the permit approval process.

 

Major stump removal has been completed on 17th Ave. E.

 

 

Niemi met with Republic Services General Manager Jon Snyder for recycling contract negotiations. The current contract expires April 2021 and will automatically renew unless a notice of termination is submitted 60 days prior.

 

An agreement was reached between Republic Services and the township; every other week curbside recycling at $5.25 per home effective May 1, 2020. A motion carried authorizing Niemi to pursue a waste study commission to include refuse collection and costs. 

 

 

Johnson expressed concern with the absence of any warning system for either stormy weather or events triggering a warning from the Monticello nuclear power plant as portions of the township are within 15 miles of it, which is the initial warning zone. Emergency management will be contacted to see what can be done about the issue.

 

Johnson and Plaggerman have both reviewed the Jerry’s Towing property on Empire Road and found no concerns.

 

Resolutions 2019-04, 2019-05 and 2019-06, which identify certain tasks that aren’t mandated by state statutes, was tabled until the August meeting.

 

The next Lynden Twp. meeting will be on Aug. 5 at 7 p.m.