Discussion surrounding  a dumpster, property issues and an ROW utility permit application were part of last week’s agenda for the Palmer Twp. Board meeting.

 

Roger Ernst and Frank Holker own property together and are having property issues with an adjoining neighbor.  

 

Their concerns are for parking where they’ve noticed many vehicles on or over the easement line; the shooting of guns and fireworks after 11 p.m. and the  operating of an auto repair business without proper documentation.

 

Ernst said he has tried to work with the neighbors, but he has not received any compliance to his requests.  Ernst says he has called Sherburne County Zoning and the police as he feels the cars parked on the easement pose a problem getting in and out of his property in an emergency situation. Nothing has been done at this time.  

 

Supervisor Steve Demeules said he will contact Sherburne County Zoning to find out what can be done to alleviate the problem.

 

Mitch Hoefer reported he had the dumpster at  Palmer Park moved to the back of the park and canceled the garbage pickup from December to April.  Advanced disposal was notified to make a final dump at the Elk Lake landing until further notice.

 

Hoefer said that 17-20 dead trees were taken down and removed by Richard Schneider.  The stumps will be ground up in the spring.

 

A new quote was submitted to the Minnesota Dept. of Health for the grant application of a new nitrate system to be put in the town hall. Hoefer will update the board as information comes in.

 

The dumpster at Elk Lake landing is currently being billed out to Palmer Twp. and then re-billed to Clear Lake Twp. for reimbursement.  

 

It was recommended that Palmer Twp. discontinue the Elk Lake dumpster on their current contract beginning in January of 2017 and contact Clear Lake Twp. to request that they be billed directly through Advanced disposal.  

 

Clerk Kelly McCann will contact Mary Mathison, Clear Lake Township clerk with this recommendation. 

 

Wayne Smith reported the BCLA and LID will be working together with funding until property assessments come in.  The assessments are scheduled to be available in July of 2017.

 

The Tri County Humane Society sent the new contract for 2017 which states Palmer Township will authorize delivery of stray dogs only to the TCHS.  Supervisor Demeules motioned to approve the new contract. Supervisor Richard Larson seconded and the motion carried.

 

Attorney David Meyer brought the Right of Way Utility Permit application form to the board for clarification of the fee requirement.  It was recommended the utility companies provide a minimum of $500 deposit with $200 of  that deposit being a non-refundable application fee.  

 

It will be under the discretion of the board if they would like to add a per mile deposit which was recommended at $500 per mile.

 

Sherburne County requested the town board review Plat #79 to acknowledge 113th Avenue SE and 133rd Avenue SE intersect with Co.  Rd. 48.   

 

The board reviewed the plat and acknowledged the previously mentioned roads are township roads that do intersect with Co. Rd. 48.  

 

Roger Johnson reported he is currently getting quotes for new hoses and coolant in the emergency generator at the fire hall for routine maintenance.  He is also getting quotes for the emergency panel if the generator would be inoperable in an emergency situation. 

 

One resident had a complaint of the snow plow removing sod from his property during a recent snow activity.  

 

Chairman Ganz assessed the damage and said he will have it fixed.  

 

Captain Bob Stangler from the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Dept. reported 68 calls for service in November as compared to 85 in 2015 and 75 in 2014.  Of the 68 calls, 21 were traffic violations with six being offenses charged by citations. There was also one burglary, no thefts, one crash with injury and no crashes with property damage. 

 

Stangler said there was a lock issue with the sheriff's office in the Palmer Town Hall due to the loss of power to the key readers. It was suggested to put a push button lock in the police car bay for prevention of future issues.  Larson said he will follow up with the sheriff's office.

 

• Roger Johnson said the signature cards at Sherburne State Bank have been updated;

 

• Supervisor Larson made a motion to approve claims #16311 - 16336 plus payroll for a total of $24,215.51.

 

The next Palmer Twp. Board meeting is Jan. 9 at 7 p.m.