During their first meeting of the new year, the Lynden Twp. Board of Supervisors discussed a number of issues, including road updates, the new fire contract with Clearwater and the update of township forms and applications.

 

 

The 13th Ave. culvert repair project was discussed; the township recently received notice from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineering of the regulatory file assigned to the project. 

 

Supervisor Dennis Niemi will follow up to ensure the project will be competed in the spring and will contact Senator Jeff Howe and Representative Lisa Demuth to discuss the board’s concerns about the delay in issuing the necessary permits.

 

Treasurer Dan Torgersen informed the board he had received a vendor number for Pilgrim’s Pride. The company requested permission to haul heavy loads along 155th Street, which was approved by the township with the condition a $100 annual permit be issued for road upkeep.

 

Niemi will monitor hauling and road conditions as well as follow up with Pilgrim’s Pride to ensure a company representative signs and returns the permit.

 

Supervisor Anne Ackerman indicated she would use Beacon to confirm road mileage for the road inventory spreadsheet. An update will be provided at the next meeting.

 

 

Clearwater City Administrator Kevin Kress informed the council last month the city council had not yet reviewed the proposed new formula for the fire contract.

 

Clerk Jenny Schmidt will follow up with Kress in regard to a draft agreement utilizing the new formula. She will also request an explanation of how Weather Watcher calls are assigned.

 

Supervisor Anne Ackerman informed the board she is reviewing call data provided by Stearns Co.

 

 

The board reviewed drafts of the conditional/interim use permit applications, variance application and driveway permits. Once finalized the revised applications will be posted to the township website. The board noted permitted and provisional use registration is handled by Stearns Co.

 

A motion passed authorized James Kantor to convert the township’s application forms to online fillable PDF versions for $50/hour. They include right of way, driveway, variance, CUP/IUP, kennel CUP, preliminary plat, final plat, building, mechanical and plumbing permits. 

 

Kantor will follow up with Building Inspector Nancy Scott for her permit documents.

 

 

A motion carried authorizing Supervisor Dave Johnson to apply for a SCORE Grant to help offset the costs of spring cleanup.

 

A motion carried approving the 2019 Tri-County Humane Society contract.

 

Penny Leuthard will be preparing the township’s annual newsletter again this year; Niemi will be the contact person. Expected mailing date for the newsletter is Feb. 25.

 

Motions carried authorizing Niemi to attend culvert installation and inspection training and Torgersen to attend the MAT treasurer training course. The township will pay for mileage, registration and hourly rates for attending the courses.

 

The board discussed the annual audit procedure.

 

Audit and budget meetings will be Jan. 30 at 6:30 p.m.

 

Annual meeting planning will be on Jan. 30.

 

The next Lynden Twp. meeting will be Feb. 4 at 7 p.m.