During their February meeting, Lynden Twp. Supervisors Anne Ackerman and Dave Johnson reported on the latest fire contract meeting between Lynden Twp., Clearwater Twp. and the City of Clearwater.
After extensive discussions and review of options, the group determined that a fair and appropriate calculation for the fire contract formula would be to divide the total Clearwater Fire Dept. budget based on historical usage data.
The city provided information that showed on average, fire department calls to Lynden Twp. accounted for 23% of the total, Clearwater Twp. accounted for 24% and the City of Clearwater for 53%.
Based on these findings, Lynden Twp. informed the city they intended to propose a 2020 levy of 23% of the proposed Clearwater Fire Dept. budget.
No formal decision has been made, and a follow up meeting is scheduled for Feb. 25. Ackerman will keep Twp. Attorney Michael Couri informed of all discussions.
Road Report
The township was informed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that no permit is required from their agency for the 13th Ave. culvert repair project. Supervisor Dennis Niemi is still attempting to contact state legislators to discuss the board’s concerns about the delay caused by the DNR. He will continue to follow up to ensure the project will be completed in the spring.
Ackerman informed the board she had utilized Beacon’s measuring tool to confirm the township’s road mileage reported to the county is accurate. Beacon allows users to view county and city information, public records and geographical information systems online.
Other Business
A motion carried authorizing a certificate of compliance for the administrative subdivision submitted for 20702 27th Ave. E. A portion of the septic system of the bank owned property encroaches onto the neighboring property; the administrative subdivision corrects the issue.
James Kantor informed the board he had finished converting all the township’s application forms to fillable PDF versions. The updated forms have been posted to the township website at lyndentownship.net.
Brian Nickolauson will be the moderator at the township’s annual meeting in March, Kantor will set up the AV equipment. A motion carried appointing Jenny Schmidt and Barry Hample as the absentee ballot board.
A motion carried approving the judges from the November election for the township’s upcoming election that precedes the annual meeting.
The board held a preliminary discussion on the possibility of installing equipment to provide attendees with visual access to topics under discussion during meetings.
Niemi is the new Clearwater River Watershed District Administrator.
The township’s annual newsletter is expected to be mailed around Feb. 25.
The next Lynden Twp. meeting will be March 4 at 7 p.m. The township’s annual meeting is scheduled for March 12 at 8 p.m.
