The Palmer Township Board met Monday evening for the final meeting of 2024, discussing snowplowing and other winter related items.

Supervisor Steve Demeules reviewed details of the snowplowing ordinance, reminding the public that plows are not called out until the snow has stopped falling and there is at least two inches of accumulation.  For extended duration snow events, plows will be dispatched if there are six-plus inches during one storm, but only if there is good visibility.  He also reminded citizens that the township is not liable for damage to items placed within the right-of-way, and it is also illegal for homeowners to plow snow across the roadway.  Residents were asked to keep 911 signs clear of any obstructions or snow piles, as this can assist emergency responders looking for addresses.

In road related news, the board celebrated a total combined savings of nearly $65,000 on the 26th and 108th Street projects as they came in under budget.  Much of this was due to not having as much work needing to be done to tie in driveway approaches, and this might be something the supervisors duplicate in the future.

In a TLID (Three Lakes Improvement District) report, it was learned that the Briggs Chain carp study was done and there are four to five times as many of the rough fish present as compared to the targeted population.  Removal efforts are being studied, as is the possible Alum treatment of Briggs.  However, the efforts come with different price tags, as the Alum treatment could run as high as $1 million, while the carp reduction could be in the vicinity of $50,000.  It was noted that these estimates are just that, and no decisions have been made at this time.

Commander Ben Zawacki of the SCSO noted an increase of calls for the past month to 98 incidents, compared to 80 last year.  Captain Ron Koren reported on the CLFD and its 19 calls this past month, including eight medicals in Palmer.

Supervisor Mitch Wipper noted that trees for Palmer Park had been picked out from Briggs Lake Nursery and the company had also made a donation resulting in 14 trees being planted this coming spring to offset the loss of oaks that had been removed.

In miscellaneous action, the board approved the cannabis ordinance (which will be administered by Sherburne County), set the annual polling place as the Town Hall, and denied signing an agreement with the Humane Society to house stray cats.

Chair Mike Ganz announced the tentative date for the 2025 Board of Appeal and Equalization as April 15, at 9 a.m., and he reminded residents that their valuations can be appealed at this meeting, but not the tax amount itself.

Demeules noted that the county had recently adopted revisions to the shore land and flood plain ordinances, but there had been zero representation from the public at the meeting as no one spoke for or against the new regulations.