Santiago Twp. met last Wednesday and continued to work on road related items that appeared on the agenda.

Road Supervisor Dave Jehoich updated the other supervisors on the shouldering projects that the township’s contractor, Herbst Excavating, has been completing. To date, five loads of gravel have been used to fortify roadway edges in an attempt to keep the asphalt intact. John Herbst was at the meeting and reported that perhaps a couple more loads would be needed to finish the work.

The ongoing saga of 67th Street was also on the agenda, as the eastern portion of the gravel roadway has received its gravel and maintenance, but there remains issues on the western (asphalt) portion of the roadway.  

Becker Twp. Supervisors Robin Boros and Joe Danielson were present at the meeting to share recent updates to the project. Boros explained that because the culvert will be extended past its current placement, some wetlands would be disturbed, triggering the involvement of the DNR. The current culvert was not working properly and causing road washout issues and therefore additional flaring would need to be added to ensure the foundation of the road for years to come.

Herbst noted he has been on site and verified this information, noting that the additional culvert and flare would extend at least five feet past the road’s right of way.

Boros explained that while the information was not a positive development in the project, he felt it was important to be transparent about the issue. The wetland mitigation was expected to add around $21,000 to the cost of the project, which originally was estimated at $110,000.

Jehoich questioned why Sherburne County wasn’t involved in the finances, noting the area of right of way impacted would be along a county road.

Supervisor Jeff Pappenfus agreed, stating that the boards should contact the county for help and possible cost-sharing in the project.

With the DNR issue coming up, it was discussed that the earliest the project could be undertaken would be in 2022, therefore county participation could be researched.

“We are not going to do this until next year so we have the time to ask the question to the county,” Pappenfus noted.

The supervisors agreed to move forward with getting exact numbers for the work, while Nelson noted that the additional time will allow the townships to work this into the 2022 annual meeting budget presentations.

In Other Business, the Board:

• Heard from Sgt. Andy Ochs of the SCSO, who presented the calls for service in the past month.  They totaled a higher than usual 85 calls, many of which were from increased speed enforcement and other traffic stops;

• Learned from Herbst that tree trimming near intersections will commence in October in an effort to ensure they are beyond the date to be concerned with Oak wilt;

• Agreed to replace the flag at the Twp. Hall.

The board will meet next on October 13 at 7 p.m.