During their February meeting, the Lynden Twp. Board again discussed Douglas Bischoff’s Franklin Road temporary closure request. His request is due to dumping and other illegal activity taking place on it. 

Franklin is a minimum maintenance road, and the township has never maintained it past 222nd St. Lynden Twp. supervisors have also received objections to the closure from residents.

Bischoff indicated he would pay for the county-approved, breakaway style barricades and cost of installation if the request was approved. The opening would be wide enough for farmers to get through with their equipment, and emergency vehicles would still need access to the road if it is closed. Two landowners would be required to sign damage waivers and a hold harmless agreement.

A motion carried denying the closure request and refunding the $400 public hearing fee. 

Road Report

Keith Reiter approached the board to request the township assist with informing Stearns Co. that signage needs to be improved at the intersection of Dover Road and Co. Rd. 44. He was informed the township has no control over the intersection, but Supervisor Dave Johnson will draft a letter to the county commissioner and county engineer supporting enhancement to signage and other solutions.

Supervisor Dennis Niemi informed the board their attorney indicated an adjustment to the 40’ limitation on driveway width under township ordinance can be made if the request is made to the board, no public hearing is necessary. The information will be passed on to Newport Leasing, who inquired about an adjustment for their Edison Cir. driveway.

The township received a request for a certificate of compliance as the county has entered into a purchase agreement to buy 75’ of the old railroad corridor from James and Dawn Froelich. The acquisition is for the trail and will be attached to property already owned by the county. 

Because it references a BN tract that disappeared when the Froelich’s purchased the property, Johnson stated the legal description was unsatisfactory. The map depicts the tract originally being 100’, however Stearns Co. is only looking to purchase 75’. Along with that, there’s a utility easement on the edge of the tract, and the proposal doesn’t indicate what would happen with the easement. 

A motion carried tabling the issue until the March meeting. 

Annual Meeting

Planning for the upcoming annual meeting was reviewed. Clerk Jenny Schmidt has received the Statement of Orders from Treasurer Dan Torgersen, and James Kantor stated he recommended the township utilize Facebook and YouTube broadcasts instead of Zoom as participation can’t be regulated or controlled in Zoom.

Torgersen presented the proposed 2022 budget/levy. Niemi is working with Stearns Co. to submit the LRIP Grant as they’ve indicated they will support the township’s request. 

The town hall will be at 50% capacity, with 40 residents, five board members, and five staff members allowed. Residents physically in attendance will be allowed to vote, however, residents watching the broadcast will not be able to interact. 

Other Business

Niemi informed the board he had contacted Republic Services and received an updated five-year recycling contract quote that eliminated the CPI clause. West Central Sanitation’s quote remains as originally submitted. A motion carried setting a meeting Feb. 10 for negotiations with Republic Services.

April 24 has been confirmed with Clearwater Twp. and West Central Sanitation as spring cleanup day. Johnson will contact Explorer’s Group for volunteers. 

A motion carried authorizing Johnson to participate in and be reimbursed for expenditures as part of the Stearns Co. Solid Waste Focus group.

Motions carried approving additional insurance coverage for the new IT equipment purchases and approving the interim wireless internet proposal from Digital Nomad. Kantor will continue researching a permanent internet solution.

A motion carried approving the Tri-County Humane Society contract with the inclusion of a $350 annual cap and declining paying for seized animals. 

The next Lynden Twp. meeting will be Tuesday, March 2 at 7 p.m.