Tentative approval of a bid for construction work on 48th St., adoption of several new township ordinances, discussion of a number of variance applications and approval of a settlement in the Westby Cartway saga were among the items on a lengthy agenda at the regular meeting of the Palmer Township Board Monday night.

 

At the beginning of the discussion of the planned 48th st. construction project, the board first tentatively approved Resolution 2015-02 which states that the township has “recognized 48th st. SE as a public roadway and maintained it as a roadway” across privately owned property.  One of the property owners has not yet signed, but is expected to do so once some questions have been resolved.

 

Terrence Vander Eyk of the Bogart, Pederson engineering firm then conducted the opening of four bids received for the project.  The board approved conditional acceptance of the low bid of $28,880.50 from Clint’s Excavating of St. Cloud, which in conditional on the acquisition of the signature of the last property owner. 

 

Other bids included the following: $51,833.30 from Landwehr Const. of St. Cloud, $45,571.25 from Minnerath Const. of Cold Spring, and $39,916.25 from M.L. Schendzielos of Clear Lake.

 

The board approved Ordinance No. 111 as an amendment to Ordinance No. 105 regarding regulation of town right-of-ways.  In part, the amendment states:  “It shall be unlawful for any person to place in any Township right-of-way debris, to construct any improvement of building, place any rocks larger than three inches in diameter, soils, landscaping items, personal property, temporary or permanent structures, fences, posts, gates, drain water, plow snow, divert water, or place any other obstruction in the right-of-way which interferes with weed control, slows drainage, pools or ponds water, or in any manner interferes with maintenance or the public’s use of the right-of-way, or causes similar problems.”

 

The amendment also states that property owners “shall have not less than 24 hours” to remove such obstructions after notification by township officials.  After that time, the township “may take any action needed” to clear the obstruction.

 

Resolution 2015-03 was also approved at the Monday meeting, which deals with reimbursement to the township for costs incurred on special projects or requests.

 

The ordinance states:  “That any person requesting assistance from the Township in connection with any special project or request which, in the Town Board’s determination, does not benefit the entire Township, shall reimburse the Township for all costs and expenses incurred in connection with any special Town Board meetings, cost of Town supervisors, Town staff, the employment of attorneys, engineers, or other experts, and any and all other costs and expenses.”

 

It also states that the township is “under no obligation to take any action” until all requested deposits are made and all costs and expenses paid in full.

 

The board also approved Resolution 2015-01, which supports an application from Palmer Wireless to Minnesota’s Border to Border Broadband Development Grant Program.

 

The board reviewed three applications for comment to the Board of Adjustment on requests for variances in the township.  The first for a septic system project on 55th St. was not granted a positive comment, and the board recommended the property owners submit a revised plan.  Positive comments were approved for variance requests for two properties on 42nd st.

 

The board voted to approve a settlement of the “Briggs’s Appeal of the Westby Cartway Order”.  The Stipulation of Dismissal from the Tenth District Court states in part that: “Plaintiff Patrick Briggs and Defendant Palmer Township hereby stipulate that the Court may dismiss this action constituting Plaintiff’s appeal of the Order Establishing A Cartway adopted by Palmer Township on January 12, 2015 and filed January 27, 2015,” and also states that “the Court may enter an Order dismissing this action” in regard to the appeal with certain stipulations.

 

Outgoing Briggs Lake Chain Association President Dan Merchant introduced new President Wayne Smith to the board during his report.  Smith, a resident of Big Elk Lake, told the board he has been the vice-president of the lake association for the past four years, and that he “appreciates the township’s relationship with the association and plans to keep it going” during his tenure.

 

The board also approved a $3,000 request for a new voting machine from Sherburne County and approved a resolution formally adopting the by-laws of the Sherburne County Township Association.

 

Treasurer Roger Johnson reported Palmer Township had passed a routine inspection by the Internal Revenue Service with no issues raised.