During the July meeting, the Orrock Town Board was presented with the audit from 2023 by Schlenner Wenner.

The auditors reported a clean opinion of the township’s finances for the year.

As with most years, the auditor noted a “lack of segregation of duties.” This means there is not a full staff to manage all the township’s business, which is very common among small townships but is required to be noted by the auditor.

The auditor reported that spending was under budget.

Sheriff’s Report

Sgt. Barrett reported a busy month for the township. There were a couple of reported vehicle thefts, wherein the robbers entered unlocked vehicles and took items inside. There have also been break-ins around the Ann Lake Campground area. 

There’s been an uptick in speeding complaints on Co. Rd. 75. However, Barrett has monitored the area personally, and although it seems as though cars are moving too quickly around the corner by Eagle Lake Landing, most are going about 45 mph (which is the limit), it just seems faster due to the curve.

Barrett received suggestions from the audience to post patrols on 233rd Ave. due to increased traffic due to the bridge closure in Zimmerman.

Open Forum

A resident spoke during open forum to complain about her neighbor’s chickens and asked if there was any ordinance to limit the number of animals on any given property. There is no such ordinance for Orrock.

Tree Trimming

The board approved soliciting tree trimming proposals for this year. It is likely that the trimming will be over budget, but since they were under on road projects the township will be able to eat the cost without issue.

In Other Business,

the Board:

• Noted that Baldwin Twp. was granted their request to incorporate into a city, which will happen after the November elections;

• Was informed they would have the opportunity to comment on the Mississippi St. Cloud Watershed Management Plan;

• Gave approval for a resident to add a second driveway, and noted that it would be acceptable for the road authority to grant approval for such items in the future;

• Reviewed the road tour report and noted a potential schedule of projects for next year.

June Meeting

During the June Orrock Town Board meeting,Supervisor Anne Felber once again brought up concerns about how the speed signage issue was not put on the agenda for the May agenda. She stated that she heard from a constituent who had been given a heads-up about the topic from an unnamed board member about the issue several days before the meeting, which meant there was time to add it to the agenda. Felber was concerned about due process, and stated that constituents should be allowed a voice in the process. She stated there was a lack of communication that needed to be addressed going forward.

There was discussion on who said what to whom, but without any conclusive answers.

Open Forum

Brad Rosnow spoke during open forum, and asked about the road plan for the Harmony Village development. He noted that the roads are deteriorating quickly and was curious when the town board would be scheduling maintenance. The board promised to check the pavement management plan and get back to him.

Haunted Acres IUP

Haunted Acres is a haunted house event that raises money for local groups in the fall. The owner of the business approached the board for a permit to open the event again next year. The board approved provided that certain improvements are made to the property, and the county gives their approval.

Property Insurance

The board was tasked with a decision to increase coverage on the shed by town hall. Supervisor Paul Ellinger questioned whether it would be wise to increase coverage on the shed or to instead spend the money on increased coverage for the new building. Supervisor Goldsmith proposed to increase the coverage for the shed and direct the town clerk to speak with the insurance provider about whether it was a good idea to increase coverage for the town hall building.

Roadside Dumping

Early in the morning on June 10, Clerk Chris Weber got a call from Sherburne County about a boat dumped illegally on the side of the road. The boat was stripped of any identifiers, and by the time town handyman Daryl Waletzko got to it, some old carpet was added to the illegal dump. Illegal dumping has increasingly become an issue recently.