The Palmer Township Board held a meeting in September in which they discussed road work, Palmer Day, playground equipment, a driveway issues, a septic issue and the township’s website.

 

Clerk Kelly McCann reported that the current website has become obsolete as far as software and support.  The current website is functional, she said and can be continued as is, however it can only be used on a minimal basis.  She said she can continue adding calendar events, notices and minutes, but will be unable to add/change information on the home page or links to other websites.  

 

McCann said the current options would be to leave the website as-is and just pay for the domain name once per year, or change to another engine host  (such as, Go-Daddy), which would be an additional expense of approximately $100 per year.  She said she would then develop the township’s own website, which she can control and change at her own will with the support of Go Daddy at no additional charge.  

 

McCann noted a benefit would be that it would coincide with the Briggs Lake Chain website.

 

Another option is to look into what other townships do for their website.

 

Chairman Mike Ganz recommended doing further research and tabling the discussion until a later meeting.

 

Playground Equipment

Harry Ernzer presented a price quote from Miracle Recreation Equip for Phase II of the playground equipment which is $34,999.  Ernzer recommends putting the anchors in this fall and storing the equipment until installation can be done in the spring. The township will need to order the equipment prior to the end of 2017 to get the sale price.  

 

It was also reported that the large spring on one of the spring toys is broken and needs to be replaced.  McCann will look into ordering a new one to include the mounting brackets.

 

Tom Fitzlaff issued a request to extend his existing driveway at 10684 55th Street.

 

Fitzlaff was not in attendance at the meeting and Larson reported he had observed Fitzlaff's property and approved his request with the agreement that it is to be put in flat to prevent issues with snow plowing.

 

Sean Conlon issued a request for a septic variance  at 6484 108th Ave SE.

 

Conlon said he is replacing a failed septic system and is requesting a seven-foot variance in setback from the south property line. 

 

In reviewing the plans for the new drain field, there were no issues noted.  Chairman Ganz made a motion to send positive comment to the Sherburne County Board. 

Little Libraries

 

Johanna Galles told the board she would offer story time for preschoolers for two Tuesdays per month starting in October in the township library.  She is also requesting that a “little library” — which is an outside book drop off point — be placed close to the road where people can see it, for the times when the library is not open. 

 

Chairman Ganz was in favor of the story time and the addition of a little library.  Galles plans to provide pictures of a “little library” with dimensions and the township will look into having one built.

 

Discussion took place on rates for Palmer Park and Town Hall rentals.

 

The board recommended that they review their current rates and compare with what other townships are currently charging for their rental property.  It was also recommended that the board review their policies on what is included and expected of its renters.  New forms and rates should be available for 2018 rental season. 

 

Further discussion will be tabled for a later meeting.

 

Mitch Hoefer mowed the ditches and finished the work by mid-September.  He also reported he has started replacing the poles for the signs that were vandalized. 

 

Hoefer said he will finish replacing them when the signs come in.  

 

Supervisor Larson recommended brush cutting along 67th Street this fall.  After discussion it was decided that the brush cutting will be done in the spring after brush killer has been put on to prevent regrowth.

 

Treasurer Roger Johnson read the balances from the treasurer's report. It was voted on and approved.

 

Johnson mentioned a CD had reached maturity in August, which has a value of $21,000.  He recommends adding $4,000 to the CD and transferring it to a higher interest rate which would increase the township’s current rate by one percent.   Transfer and addition were approved.  

 

Chairman Ganz also recommended transferring $5,000 from the building fund to the recreation fund.  The recommendation was approved.

 

Captain Bob Stangler reported there were 90 calls for service for the month of August,  compared to 82 in 2016 and 87 in 2015.  There were 40 traffic stops and 10 offenses charged by citation.  Stangler said there were no burglaries, one theft, no crashes with injury and one crash with property damage.  

 

Stangler said there were three calls related to ATV/Boat violations.  There were no shooting or DUI's in the month of August.  There was one parking violation, and one damage to a mailbox.  

 

Captain Matt Lunser reported that there was one medical call in Palmer Township from the middle of August to the middle of September.  

 

Hoefer reported that the grass held up great through Palmer Day.  He watered the grass the week after the event and planned to have the sprinkler system blown out for the season following that.

 

Supervisor Demeules reported that the hamburger booth at Palmer Day did very well.

 

Hoefer reported the township is in need of replacing their reader board sign used at the park for event signage. He asked if anybody has any information or contacts on a gently used reader board to please let him know.  

 

The next Palmer Twp. Board meeting is Nov. 13 at 7 p.m.