During its regular meeting, the Orrock Twp. Board reviewed their recent annual meeting, discussed roads, held the annual board of audit, heard the Sheriff’s report, and approved a variance for the Doherty residence.

Roads

Town engineer Mike Nielson gave a report on what Orrock might see in road construction over the next couple of years. The town plans to take pavement samples this summer in order to get a head start on soliciting bids for work for the construction season of 2022.

The board reviewed projected road spending, and Nielson pointed out there was an expected jump in spending in 2027 and 28. However, getting work done now instead of waiting could smooth that bump down significantly.

Nielsen also discussed the possibility of letting 180th St. revert to a gravel road, since it doesn’t service many residents. 

Treasurer’s Business

The township held its annual board of audit. The treasurer, Gary Goldsmith, provided each supervisor with a list of expenditures, then asked them to pick out three receipts and three disbursements, which he then located among his files in order to prove the expense was properly processed.

He noted that each board member is given a list of expenses monthly, and he strongly encourages them to look at the list carefully. He said that a clerk in Vermillion Twp (Dakota County) was recently found guilty of embezzling $650,000 over the course of eight years. Goldsmith said he doubted Orrock would ever be in any kind of similar position, just from the way they are set up, but he nonetheless encouraged the board members to make sure expenditures were all on the up and up.

Next, the board reviewed the 2021 budget framework. The framework outlines what the township expects to spend over the next year, but doesn’t prevent the township from spending more or less than the budgeted amount. The budget helps the township determine the tax levy, which is approved at the annual meeting.

Sheriff’s Report

It was a quiet month for the sheriff’s department. The department continued to investigate fraudulent checks and unemployment fraud. As always, officers encourage citizens to never give their personal information over the phone.

Most traffic violations in Orrock took place on County Roads 4 and 15, and in the 30 mph zone in front of the gas station.

Doherty Variance

Mike and Ashley Doherty requested the board approve a new variance for their home. The couple recently found that the house is sinking and needs a new foundation, and decided that, while they were at it, they might as well add an addition. The planned addition didn’t come near the right-of-way, and so the board sent positive comments on to the county, who will also need to approve the variance.

Orrock Annual Meeting

Orrock’s annual meeting took place the week after the regular meeting, on Tuesday, March 9. All board members were present, as well as the clerk, the treasurer, town engineer Mike Nielson, and two citizens: Anna Dirks and Luke Masica. Supervisor Bryan Adams was elected to be the meeting’s moderator. 

2020 Overview

Adams gave an overview of 2020 for the benefit of the audience. The estimated population of Orrock is 3,856, with 22 new home permits being issued last year. 

J. P. Brooks company is developing the Shores of Eagle Lake development, and already six lots have been sold, sight unseen.

The town hall received an audio/visual upgrade toward the end of the year to allow supervisors to attend meetings remotely. This was thanks to the CARES Act funding. Other CARES funding went to benefit the Big Lake and Zimmerman/Livonia Fire Station, local schools, and other organizations in the community. 

Supervisors Eric Peterson and Corrie Silverberg retired from their positions, and Gregg Felber and Janine Arnold joined the board. 

Since the town hall did not have the capacity to host the elections of the last year while also allowing voters to socially distance themselves, elections were successfully held in the snowmobile trail shed instead. Of the total number of registered voters in the township, 57% chose to vote in person, and 30% voted absentee.

Fire Stations Reports

Supervisor Paul Ellinger gave a report on the Zimmerman/Livonia Fire Dept. A new fire station is close to completion. The station would also house an event center with an event coordinator staffed. Last year, Orrock Twp. donated funds to the department to purchase new turnout gear for the firefighters. 

Clerk Chris Weber gave a very brief summary for the Big Lake Fire Dept. Orrock Twp. donated CARES funding to help purchase an extractor machine to help clean and sanitize equipment. Weber said a more in-depth summary would come at a later regular monthly meeting.

Town Hall Building Update

The Town Hall building was inspected last year, and it was apparent to the board that some changes will need to be made in the near future. The building is in good shape, despite its old age, but it can no longer support an election. The board members have considered adding an expansion to the building, essentially doubling its size. The board also considered creating a fire substation which would be connected to town hall, though this project was dropped quickly after seeing the cost. Regardless of what the board decides, no action is likely to be taken for a few years, at least. 

Roads Summary

Last year, $721,000 was levied for the road and bridge fund. Of that, $718,390.33 was actually received to use towards that purchase. The total cost of all the road projects for 2020, before engineering fees, was $481,962.83. The expected cost of 2021 projects, which includes several overlays, will be slightly lower, at $405,773. 

As promised earlier in the year, Supervisor Adams asked the attending citizens to give their opinion on adding swing-away mailboxes around the township. The cost of the mailboxes would be added to the town’s budget, and the town would pay for the initial installation of the mailboxes, but not to replace or maintain them. With the swing-away mailboxes, it is less likely for a snow plow to knock them out, and the snow plows are able to plow much closer to the curb, so residents have less to shovel themselves. Residents who preferred not to have swing away mailboxes would not need to accept one. Of the citizens in attendance, neither had any issue with the addition of swing away mailboxes.

Approval of the 2022 Tax Levy

The tax levy was recommended to be $1,008,000 for 2022. This is up by 3.4% over last year. To continually raise the levy by 3-3.5% each year, taxpayers without significant increase in property value will see their township portion of taxes either remain the same or decrease each year, due to value being added to other homes and in new homes. That rate will also allow Orrock to prepare for road reconstruction down the road without needing to create a dramatic increase in taxes. 

The levy was approved by the citizens.

In Other Business, the Board:

• Changed the November meeting to Nov. 17 at 7 p.m., since it was otherwise scheduled for the day before Thanksgiving.

• Allocated $100 to be spent on a locking file cabinet for the clerk;

• Allowed Supervisor Paul Ellinger to take the lawn mower for repairs, so it is ready when the warm weather comes.

• Scheduled the next annual meeting to take place March 8, 2022 at 7 p.m. in the Orrock town hall.