The annual meeting for the town of Orrock was held on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.  

Township Clerk Shelley Erickson called the meeting to order.  After the Pledge of Allegiance, Annual Meeting Moderator Boaz Erickson was chosen from the 22 people who were in attendance.  He was joined at a table positioned in front of those gathered by S. Erickson, Treasurer Kelly McConville, and former Treasurer and former Supervisor Gary Goldsmith.  Also seated at a separate table were Orrock Supervisors Anne Felber, Peter Owen, and Dalton Keiderling, along with Sherburne County Commissioner for District 3 Greg Felber.  They were on hand to present information and answer any questions that came up in the hour and half long meeting.    

Authorization of 2026 Levy

The main question was to ask Orrock residents in attendance to authorize the proposed 2026 tax levy that was recommended at the regular Feb. meeting of the Township Board.  The total levy was for $1,125,000.  Amounts differed from year to year in certain funds, but the end result was the same levy amount that was authorized in 2025. General Fund levy funds were reduced because expenditures were stable and they were able to draw from a cushion that has been growing.  Road and Bridge Funds was increased by approx. 3% to continue to build a cushion. 

The biggest change was in the Capital Project Fund where concerns over the prospect of the county turning over maintenance responsibilities to Orrock Township for the 16 emergency sirens in the township.  Supervisor Felber did caution that it is not a done deal yet, but felt that the township should be prepared just in case. 

Call for Business

A call for business from the floor was held.  It was the time for the electorate to give their input on current business, and suggest future business and concerns to the township board.  Items brought up during the Annual Meeting will be discussed and considered during upcoming Township Board meetings.  Four items were noted – board pay, snow removal, a request that meetings be recorded and posted online, and IT support and equipment for Board members and Township employees should be considered.    

The policy on snow removal was an extended discussion.  Currently, plows go out after two inches of snow has fallen after the snow has stopped.  It was proposed that the policy be changed to one inch of snow.  Many of the Supervisors who were on hand shared that this has been a concern for a number of years, but the policy hasn’t changed because of the cost.  G. Felber estimated that there would be a 40% increase in cost if they went to one inch. 

Highlights from 2024

• 86% of Orrock Township registered voters voted in last November’s elections.  1,747 ballots were cast in person and another 698 absentee ballots were received for a total of 2,445 ballots cast. 

• The estimated population for Orrock Township was 4,737. Twenty-five new home permits were issued in 2024. 

Important Dates

• May 17, 2025 is the date set for the township’s annual Recycle Day.  Three or four people are still needed to help with the event.  Gates will open at 8 a.m. 

• The time, date, and location for the 2026 Annual meeting was set for March 10, 2026 at 7 p.m. in the Orrock Town Hall.