The board discussed three road projects scheduled for 2014, including an $8,252 sign upgrade program, sinkhole repairs on 62nd St. estimated at $15,000 and seal coating 3.25 miles of that roadway at a cost of $59,248.  Supervisor Jeff Pappenfus stated the road way will require more than seal coating, and that the township will need to have funds available in the near future for that and other more extensive roadwork, “especially if we get more roads from the county.” (Sherburne County is in the process of “reverting” a number of county roads back to township ownership in several locations.)

 

Chairman Stuart Nelson advised the township will need to create a “kitty” to build up funds for future roadwork, even without the addition of more roads from the county, since the township roads are “heading south in a big hurry.”  Supervisor Dave Jehoich noted  the cost of an overlay on 62nd St. would be an estimated $200,000 for a 1.5-mile section.

 

Treasurer Jeff Anderson said the township currently has a reserve of $200,000 in the road and bridge fund that has been built up over a period of years, and is available for a major road project if needed.  During a discussion of needed future levy increases, Anderson said that an additional $50,000 in the levy over four years would restore the reserve if it had to be used.

 

During a discussion of changing some township roads back to a gravel surface it was noted that some townships have already done so due to the lower maintenance costs.

 

The board will consider a number of these options for the February meeting for presentation at the annual meeting in March.

 

 

Anderson presented the board with a proposed 2014 levy which would hold the line at the previous year’s total of $300,000.  The proposed expenditures for 2014 include $77,500 from the general fund, $145,000 from the road and bridge fund, $65,000 from the fire fund, $2,500 from the park fund and $8,000 for building costs, landscaping and equipment for a total planned expenditure for the year of $298,000.

 

Those figures represent only a preliminary draft, Anderson said, and the numbers could change if the board moved to present more extensive road projects or other expenses at the annual meeting.

 

Township resident Steve Reid asked the board to describe the process by which a citizen could get a question placed before the voters at the annual meeting.  He said he wanted to know if the voters could decide to make a request for an increased donation to the Becker Fire Dept. Relief Fund, and also if that request could be made into a line item in the regular township budget.

 

A member of the BFD, Reid said that he was not representing the fire department at the meeting, but was interested in the process of getting a question to the floor at the annual meeting.  He also said he would like to see the township agree to the current request for a $1,500 donation to the fund which, with seven firefighters responding to the Santiago station, would amount to less than $20 per week per firefighter.  He also said the yearly contribution for equipment should be raised as well.

 

Nelson asked if the City of Becker and Becker Township have those donations as regular budget items, and he stated that he was not inclined to have Santiago be the first to do so if not.  The 2013 annual meeting voted for a $500 donation to the relief fund.

 

Santiago Lion’s Club member Debbie Landry appeared before the board to discuss plans for the town park.  She said that the club plans to have youth baseball again this summer and intends to renovate the kitchen in the concession stand with new appliances.

 

Landry also picked up a copy of the original contract between the club and the township, which she said will be discussed at the next Lion’s meeting.  With significant changes in club membership recently, a variety of activities will be reviewed in the near future, she said.

 

A bid from Santiago Builders for $39,910 and another from Select Electric for $10,744 for repairs to storm damage done in the town park were received in December and have been passed on to the township’s insurance adjuster.  Nelson said he had not received any information regarding a decision on the claims as of yet.

 

The sheriff’s report indicated 32 calls for service in Santiago in December, including 10 traffic stops.