Lynden Twp. held both their regular March meeting and annual meeting this month.
March Meeting
Along with planning for the annual meeting, the board discussed road issues, an administrative split, and a building permit.
After Chairman Dave Johnson submitted a letter regarding improved signage on Dover Road and Co. Rd. 44, the county has agreed to adding a large right hand stop sign with reflectors, a left hand stop sign, a ‘cross traffic does not stop’ sign, and possibly rumble strips.
A motion carried authorizing a Certificate of Compliance for the administrative split proposed by Stearns Co. to purchase 75’ of the old railroad corridor from James and Dawn Froelich. The property is attached to property already owned by the county and will be used for their trail.
The board moved to approve the building permit agreement and Stearns Co. variance for 19564 Co. Rd. 145.
Newport Leasing approached the board to discuss expanding their business into two adjacent properties and add an additional 10’ to their existing driveway. The board informed Nadeau and Milless a CUP amendment is required to expand their business, and requested a drawing of proposed driveway addition.
Spring cleanup day will be April 24 at Clearwater Twp. Hall.
The sheriff reported 68 calls for service in January and 46 in February, which included one assault, one burglary, a stolen vehicle, and a dumping complaint.
Annual Meeting
The Twp.’s annual meeting was well attended, with residents able to attend in person or watch via live stream. Jeff Westrom was nominated moderator for the evening.
Outgoing Treasurer Dan Torgersen began the meeting with the 2020 Treasurer and Board of Auditor reports, recapping the year’s revenue and expenditures. At his completion, Twp. Chairman Dave Johnson came up to recognize Torgersen, thanking him for his years of service and the improvements he brought to the position.
Supervisor Dennis Niemi provided the road report, explaining the seal coating the township does can extend the life of their asphalt up to 10 years. He also reviewed the MnDOT Local Road Improvement Program grant being applied for that if approved, would pay for the cost to update the industrial park’s roads from 7-ton to 10-ton. The township would only be responsible for the engineering costs.
Johnson explained the funds the township received from the CARES Act and how it was spent. He informed attendees the township had 46 total building permits last year, nine of which were new homes.
He then reviewed the proposed 2022 levy, explaining they would need to differ approval until around mid-September after the Clearwater City Council approved their operating budget, as they wouldn’t know the total fire cost until then. The amount needed for the road and bridge portion of the levy also couldn’t be committed to until mid-May, when they find out if the township will be receiving grant money.
The Annandale Fire Dept. reported they had 280 calls in 2020, 19 of them in Lynden Twp., which included medical, a grass fire, and a motor vehicle accident. They thanked the township for donating their leftover CARES Act funds to the department, which helped them upgrade the electronics in their building.
The Clearwater Fire Dept. reported they had 260 calls in 2020, 69 of them in Lynden Twp. Chief Ryan Pridgeon informed residents they had eight retirees last year, so the department is looking to hire new firefighters.
Residents were informed the township had sent out a request for recycling quotes. Republic Services was again awarded the contract, which includes a savings of $1 per cart.
The Patriot was named as the township’s official newspaper, Couri & Ruppe as township attorney, and Lake Central Bank as the depository of funds. Residents again approved $2,000 in annual support for the Clearwater Area Public Library.
At the meeting’s conclusion, it was announced Dennis Niemi had been re-elected supervisor, and Jean Shermer had been elected treasurer. The meeting was then recessed until Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. when the levy will be voted on.
