Monday Palmer Twp. Board of Supervisors discussed the issue of residents pushing snow across roads into the right-of-way, which plugs up the ditches, can cause drifting snow and reduces safety. 

The township has an ordinance stating it’s unlawful to place any debris in the road right-of-way, including plowed snow.

Residents who are noticed doing so will be receiving notices; Chairperson Mike Ganz indicated the letters need to explain that if the township has to clean up after them, residents who have pushed snow into the right-of-way will be charged.

County deputies will be sent a memo to remind them to watch for and enforce the statute.

Residents are also reminded that the seasonal parking ban is in effect until April 15; during the ban vehicles cannot be parked along any portion of a street or highway.

Road Report

The board discussed a driveway that was put in without a permit on a curve along the nursing home road.

“It’s not a good place to put it and it will have to be taken out,” said Ganz. 

The board didn’t know who owned the property at the time of the meeting; the county will be contacted to find out if a building permit has been issued yet. Other areas along the road that were safer and better suited to a road entrance were brought forward.

The board discussed a request for final payment from Mid Minnesota Hot Mix for the Cedar Point project. A partial payment of $117,000 has already been made, and it was unsure if the remaining $6,200 needed to be paid or if it was the retainer.

A motion carried approving the final payment if the amount isn’t the retainer; Supervisor Stephen Demeules indicated he will contact Mid Minnesota.

Fire Hall Boiler

A discussion was held on the repair or replacement of the fire hall boiler; five of the nine heating elements are failing, and the copper shutoff valve is leaking.

“It’s 12 years old, so we’re at the point we should look at replacement instead of repair,” said Treasurer Roger Johnson. 

A discussion was also held on whether they should stick with electric or look into gas, which would save on heating costs. The gas line would need to be looked at to determine if it would be enough to run both the water heater and a boiler, and combustible air and exhaust would need to be installed.

Johnson informed the board he’d received an estimate for $4,500 - $5,000 to replace the electric boiler and indicated he would also request an estimate to replace it with a gas model. An appointment will be made for the company to come out and look at the facility in order to obtain a firm quote.

Other Business

The lake association will be holding their Winter Ice Day celebration on Feb. 2. Next year’s fireworks will be on July 3, the boat parade will be on the 4th. 

Demeules informed the board the grate has been removed from the dam so the BLCA is now in compliance with the DNR.

The sheriff reported 46 calls for service, including one crash, one fraud complaint, one property damage to a mailbox and one theft of a trail camera.

Fire and rescue reported 12 calls for service, including 10 medical and two mutual aid calls to Becker.

The next Palmer Twp. meeting will be Jan. 13 at 7 p.m.