During their regular monthly meeting, Orrock Twp.  answered a couple of questions regarding road and road sign maintenance. They also heard updates from the sheriff’s office and BLFD and prepared to be audited.

Roads

The board set up an emergency spending resolution, which sets up a hierarchy of representatives who are authorized to make decisions about road spending in the event of an emergency.

The clerk, Chris Weber, was granted authority to spend up to $2,500 on signs for the township. The quote she received from Newman signs was $2,142.03. The board approved the purchase, but asked that Weber collect one or two other quotes from different companies next time, to ensure the township was getting the best price.

One resident in the audience asked the board why it was necessary to replace road signs. Adams told him this was to meet state standards on reflectivity, and signs are replaced about once every 10 years. The citizen thanked Adams for the information, saying that he didn’t know about the state requirements, and he was concerned about frivolous spending in the township.

The spring road tour is set to take place April 7 at 9 a.m. The public is welcome to attend if they choose.  

Open Forum

One citizen spoke during open forum, asking about his driveway. He said that every year, the driveway became full of mud and it became difficult to navigate. Usually, he would fix the issue himself, but with a recent cancer diagnosis he is not able to do so. He thought the township was responsible for maintaining the area in question, where the driveway meets the road. He said the township had maintained it in the past.

After looking at a satellite image of the property, the supervisors were able to determine the driveway was not their obligation to maintain. 

Antiques Business

Orrock citizen Carol Gordon is looking to open up an antiques and furniture store in her garage. The business will be located on 168th St. off of Co. Rd. 4. Gordon will be open during weekends once she gets approval for the business.

The board had no issue with the application, and sent it on to the county planning commission.

2020 BLFD Report

The board heard the Big Lake fire report for 2020, which they were unable to hear during the annual meeting. There were 115 more calls than in 2019, but that is due in part to the department tracking more non-emergency calls. CARES funding from the township helped to purchase a new gear extractor, radios, and turnout gear for the department.

A house was recently donated to the fire department, and a live burn will be held after an inspection (to remove any asbestos or other hazardous products that shouldn’t be burned.) The department will soon get a new brush rig.  

Supervisor Bryan Adams brought up setting up a fire substation in Orrock. This will be something the board will revisit later. 

Sheriff’s Report

Sgt. Luke McLean gave an update for the sheriff’s dept. He reported that there were fewer traffic stops for the month, possibly due to snow keeping drivers off the roads. While there were not many reported vehicle burnouts, the sheriff’s dept. has found evidence of several. They encourage citizens to report these when they happen so offers can respond to the situation.

Supervisor Bob Hassett asked Sgt. McLean about a complaint he had received from a resident about construction noise at night. Sgt. McLean reminded the audience that any complaints should be directed to the sheriff’s office so officers can respond to the situation promptly. 

Sgt. McLean finished his report by reminding residents about the spring weight limits on the roads, and he informed the audience about the youth ATV training the department is offering in conjunction with the Sherburne 4H extension. More information can be found on the sheriff’s office Facebook page.

Audit

The township is due to be audited, and the finance committee has been preparing. They presented the board with a list of auditors, and the board will have to make a decision by April 28 on whom to hire. Bryan Adams suggested that the finance committee make a recommendation and move forward with hiring, and the board would back that decision. Treasurer Gary Goldsmith said the township was in much better shape than two years ago, but he suspected the township might get “dinged” during the audit, despite their preparations. 

In Other News, the Board:

• Presented the draft of the annual meeting minutes (these will not be approved until the next annual meeting, in March 2022);

• Started to prep for recycle day, with supervisors Paul Ellinger, Janine Arnold, and Bryan Adams volunteering to help;

• Granted the clerk permission to sell an old desktop computer that is not being used, using Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist;

• Discussed the expectation of $430,000 of stimulus money (though the board is still waiting on guidance for spending the money).