Approval of a resolution to repay general obligation bonds early, information from local law enforcement in regard to recent mailbox thefts in the area and a presentation from Rep. Jim Newberger (R-Becker) were among the items discussed at the regular meeting of the Palmer Township Board of Supervisors Monday night.
Bond Payment
Following a discussion of a proposed call of two outstanding general obligation bond issues, the board voted unanimously to approve Resolution 2014-2, authorizing repayment of two bond issues, one with $75,000 still owed and the other with $155,000 remaining. Treasurer Roger Johnson stated the repayment of the bonds would save the township $49,930. The original capital improvement bond issue totaled $900,000.
The resolution authorized Johnson to proceed with the process with Todd Hagen, vice-president and municipal advisor with Ehlers & Associates, a financial services firm based in Roseville.
Johnson had investigated bond repayment proposals from other firms, and he stated that the Ehlers proposal is “the best deal” for the township in response to a question from Chairman Mike Ganz.
Mailbox Thefts
Capt. Robert Stanger discussed a series of mailbox thefts in the area during the monthly Sherburne County Sheriff’s Dept. report to the board. Six area residents had reported the theft of mail from their home mailboxes in the past two weeks, Stanger said, involving packages and envelopes containing checks.
Stanger urged area residents to be watchful of vehicles stopping by mailboxes or other suspicious activity in those areas. Supervisor Richard Larson stated a township resident with an electronic buzzer attached to his mailbox had been awakened by the alarm twice recently during the early morning hours.
The report showed 74 calls for service in Palmer Township in January, compared to 72 for the same period last year and 71 in 2012. There were 29 traffic stops last month, with six citations issued. Stanger also said the sheriff’s department had recently been awarded a federal grant to fund extra driving under the influence (DUI) patrols in the county. Sherburne County ranks 14th in the state in terms of alcohol-related deaths and injuries, he said.
Rep. Newberger
Rep. Newberger made a presentation in regard to activities at the capitol, and took questions from board members during the meeting. His visit is part of a pledge he made to attend a board meeting in each of the townships in the four-county area that comprises his district (House 15-B).
He cited the repeal of the current taxes on farm equipment repair and warehousing as priority issues for him, and he stated that he opposed new “climate center” proposals to curb bullying in schools because the program does not include parental notification and could be triggered by private Facebook postings done by students at home.
Responding to a question from Larson regarding a pipeline to transport sewerage from Foley to Clear Lake, Newberger said that he would oppose the measure in the House if any of the townships in the proposed route object to the plan.
Larson also asked who would be responsible for toxic waste leaking into farm land in the event of a break in the pipe or breakdown of a pumping station.
Newberger said that he had met with the mayors of the cities involved, and that the details of liability in the event of a spill had yet to be worked out.
Newberger also said that his first priority is to defeat any efforts to close down the Xcel Energy Sherco plant, and that he would oppose any further restrictions on the coal-burning facility such as those being encouraged by groups like the Sierra Club and Beyond Coal®.
The plant is the “economic engine” for the area in terms of jobs, he said, and the facility already meets or exceeds current federal and state pollution regulations. He cited proposed emissions taxes and regulations in the works as being designed to target the Becker facility, which he called the “largest coal-burning plant in the Midwest.” At peak periods, the plant provides an estimated 800 local jobs, he said.
He also said that he appreciated the ideas of environmentalists, but that he also feels that they are “misguided” in their approach of plants like the Becker facility.
Newberger also invited board members and residents to attend “Township Lobby Day” March 4 at the State Capitol in St. Paul. He advised that, with advance notice, he would arrange a tour of the facility with a guide from the State Historical Society for those so inclined.
Lake Report
Briggs Lake Chain Association President Dan Merchant informed the board three grants have been announced for projects on area lakes, including a $60,000 three-year grant for runoff control, a $25,000 drainage project grant and a two-year shoreline renovation grant.
Plans for a Lake Improvement District (LID) are moving forward, Merchant said, and the association is working with the county auditor’s office in regard to the voting process required.
Merchant also informed the board he had been contacted by a group of St. Cloud State University students in regard to a proposed senior project involving picking up trash left out on the ice and helping to remove fish houses from BLCA lakes as well.
An e-mail involving the project details will be sent to BLCA members, Merchant said, since the organization newsletter will not go out until March 1.
Other Business
Johnson informed the board the planned clean-up day on the first weekend in May had to be changed, due to Big Lake having moved their annual clean-up to that weekend. He said the $60,000 effort there is more profitable to the trash-hauling companied that the $6,000 Palmer effort.
Following the discussion, the board approved Earth Day 2014 for Saturday, May 17, exact opening and closing times to be announced.
