During its first few meetings of the year, the Lynden Twp. Board of Supervisors discussed findings from the township hall study group and ordinance violations.
Study Group
Supervisor Dennis Niemi, who has since retired from the board, had been meeting with the township hall study group to put together a proposed land use concept. Although the group hadn’t yet reached a consensus, proposed uses include a new township hall, salt shed, maintenance building, or community center.
The group also researched the cost to hire a road maintenance employee, which is approximately $35-$40 an hour, however, the township would need to provide insurance coverage and supervision as well. A grader, loader, plow, and salt shed would also be needed.
Supervisor Tom Plaggerman asked that if the group decides that a new township hall or community center isn’t in the best interests of the residents they return other ideas or recommendations for the land use.
Due to the many township road projects that need attention, a recommendation was presented at the annual meeting to hold off on any actions at this time.
Ord. Violations
Jeff Mason contacted the board regarding the lack of a driveway permit at his Fairfax Road property. The necessary application was discussed as well as where the culvert should be placed to comply with the ordinance. The work will be completed this spring.
A completed third driveway was observed on an Elderberry Road property; no application or fee had been received. An administrative notice was sent to property owner LacQuay, who informed the board he did build one driveway, however the other is a U-shaped driveway that was there previously and is needed to accommodate his 64’ rig. He feels they should be considered one driveway, not two, and requested the board consider his submission of such.
Although the township’s current ordinance limits driveway access based on a number, this past December a MN Appellate Ruling stated a township cannot limit driveway accesses based on such but can limit based on the construction of the road, maintenance of the road, and safety in relation to the road.
The township rescinded the administrative notice and LacQuay has since submitted a driveway permit application and associated fee.
Brock Tuntland contacted the board regarding the administrative notice he’d received regarding a camper violation on his Co. Road 44 property. He informed them no one was living in the camper, and while friends occasionally stayed in it, it was not hooked up to water or electricity. As storage is fine and the notice intended to ensure no one was living in the camper, he was thanked for his compliance.
Other Business
The township has $90,690 remaining of its ARPA funds. The 200th Street engineering project is being considered as a potential project to use it on.
Twp. resident Mitch Imholte submitted his name to the township for any contract or work for culvert installations within the township.
Cleanup day will be on May 4; prices will remain the same as last year.
The April Lynden Twp. meeting was held on April 2 and will be covered in a future edition of the Patriot. The next township meeting will be on May 6 at 7 p.m.
