During their November meeting, Patrick Chaplin and his attorney, John Peterson, approached the Clearwater Twp. Board to discuss issues he’s having with his 157 ½ Street property. The way the road is currently at crosses his property however, he’s never stopped anyone from crossing to it.

Chaplin explained he’s been attempting to relocate the road to where it should actually be in order to get his private property back to private, the public land public, and the road accessible to everyone. However, every time he tries to relocate the road his neighbors call the police. The police then tell him he can’t do anything without a court order.

“I’m defending my property which I have the right to do and I can’t get it done,” Chaplin said. “I have a legal right to post my property.”

He explained one of the main reasons he’s pursuing the road relocation is that he wants to plant grass on his two lots to help prevent erosion.

His neighbor doesn’t want him to move forward with the project because it will take away much of their front yard. Chaplin also told the board the neighbor had installed a well that is located over his property line, which he believes is a violation as the township hadn’t given permission for it to be installed there.

He’s followed the proper steps recommended previously and is now looking for permission to relocate the road so it’s in the easement area where it should properly be. 

Twp. Atty. Mike Couri advised the township not to exercise authority of the road, explaining that if they take jurisdiction over it then it means they’ve accepted the road as theirs. Part of the issue is that if the township would claim the road there’s no way for them to even access it without trespassing on private property. Currently the township doesn’t maintain the road. 

Couri informed Chaplin he’d likely have to take the issue to court as it’s now a civil matter. The township was able to agree to compose a letter stating that 157th and 158th  are both land they hold in trust for the public. Couri will follow up.

Other Business

The township has received questions regarding whether or not it will be offering yard waste disposal. As there are no plans to do so, the board recommends residents bring their yard waste to Wright Co. 

Bill Langenbacher informed the board that due to rising costs for the township’s portion of the project, the DNR road grant to upgrade and pave 4 miles of township roads he was working on won’t be applied for this year. Even after the project was narrowed down to a two mile stretch the estimated cost given was $936,000, with the township’s portion estimated at $286,600.

A motion carried to approve Sonja Dahlberg’s dog kennel CUP renewal.

A motion carried approving the assessment services contract for property tax assessment.

The next Clearwater Twp. meeting will be Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m.