A new sprinkler system, playground equipment and information from the new lakes association president, were all part of Monday’s Palmer Twp. Board meeting.

 

Maintenance employee Mitch Hoefer gave a report on the park and said he received quotes for the installation of a sprinkler system with Traut Companies of Waite Park supplying the lowest bid at $5,765.

 

Hoefer said that total will be reduced once he gets a $1,600 donation he is expecting soon.

 

The board discussed with Hoefer who the other companies were that supplied quotes and where in the park the sprinkler system was planned to be installed. Hoefer provided the answers and told the board Traut would be available to install the system in mid-May and it would take two-to-three days to complete.

 

Playground Equipment

Harry Ernzer  updated the board on the proposed new playground equipment for the park. He gave them the good news first — the fact that the Lions donated $20,000 to the township to go towards the equipment.

 

Ernzer followed that up with the bad news — the fact the equipment desired costs around $42,000.

 

Ernzer said the equipment identified was the top choice among interested parties and would come from a company called, Miracle Recreation Company out of Missouri.

 

Ernzer suggested to the board Monday, that he go ahead and purchase the center section of the equipment, utilizing the Lion’s donation, and add a few add-ons for the time being. Ernzer said he has a verbal commitment from the Lions for additional donations next year and beyond to help pay for the apparatus.

 

Board approved.

 

Rosalie Musachio of the Briggs Lake Chain Association introduced herself as the new president of the organization and advised the Palmer Board of numerous upcoming community and social events.

 

Musachio took over for former president Wayne Smith recently.

 

Musachio mentioned the annual garage sale event the weekend of Mother’s Day that is being planned. She also spoke of volunteers helping to clean up along Hwy.

25 Sat. April 29.

 

Musachio said Sheriff Joel Brott plans to be in attendance at their June meeting to discusss with guests the many aspects of boating safely. Musachio said the association is in the beginning stages of having the water tested for all four lakes in the chain. She stressed the importance of cleaning off boats and motors when entering and departing all area lakes.

 

Musachio also mentioned the association is focusing on the problem they see with many septic systems around the lake that are not up to code.

 

Bob Stangler of Sherburne County said his department and many local police agencies just completed a distracted driving campaign throughout the county in which “a few hundred tickets were issued.”

 

Stangler also reminded the board the month of April is Minnesota Severe Weather Awareness month in which sirens will sound two times on April 20 as part of this program.

 

Stangler said his department received 104 calls for service in the month of March with 57 being for traffic situations, one being a theft, one being property damage, one a missing dog and six being medical problems.

 

• The board approved raising the minimum wage of $12/hr. for township employees to $15/hr.;

 

• The annual clean-up day is  May 20 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

 

• Due to a scheduling conflict, Treasurer Roger Johnson asked the board to move the May meeting to  May 15 at 7 p.m. and it was approved;

 

• Mike Ganz was re-selected as chairman as part of last month’s annual meeting;

 

• The spring road tour was put on the calendar for Wed., April 26 at 4 p.m.

 

• The annual $100 donation to the Clearwater Library was eliminated since board members figured most people were using the local library at the hall far more frequently.