The Santiago Twp. Board met last Wednesday and spent considerable time reviewing roadway and bridge improvement needs in preparation for their next two meetings.

In February, the board will put the final touches on its budgetary recommendations that will then be presented to the citizens at the annual meeting in March. 

In addition to reviewing the budget, the February meeting will also serve as the township’s organizational meeting for 2021.

Supervisor Dave Jehoich keeps a close eye on the roadways and reported that he has started to assemble some recommendations for the board to consider.  He has already been in contact with Treasurer Patty Simonsmeier as well, to allow her time to work on some of the details and cost projections.

Part of the township’s plans for the spring season are to focus attention on a pair of shared roadways, 67th street (shared with Becker Twp.) and 135th (shared with Palmer Twp.).  It was noted that the work on 135th was already approved and budgeted, but the work had not been completed in 2020.

Chairman Stuart Nelson felt that the board should have two items ready for consideration, a primary list of immediate concerns and a secondary list of projects that could be done depending on how the bids come in compared to the budget.  He added that the gravel roadways will also have to be reviewed once the frost comes out in the spring to determine how they came through the winter.

Supervisor Jeff Pappenfus felt it was important to consider any projects that could benefit financially from contractors already having equipment in the area, noting the economy of scale that can be achieved.

Regardless of which projects take priority, the supervisors agreed that the road and bridge fund will have to be looked at closely, as it has seen minimal increases in recent years while expenses continue to rise.

Sheriff/Fire

Sgt. Andy Ochs offered the Sheriff’s Report and shared that there were 43 calls for service in the last period, including a fair number of medicals and accidents.  Deputies continue to patrol the township to try and deter vandalism, although the winter weather seems to have curtailed this type of activity.

Matt Weber of the Becker Fire Department reported a total of 43 calls for service, six of which were in Santiago’s zone of coverage.  He and his fellow firefighters responded to four medicals, one accident and one structure fire in the township, while also providing mutual aid to Zimmerman for a single incident.

The new rescue truck is being equipped with lights and sirens at the current time and as soon as it is ready, it will be put into service and the current one will be offered for sale.  The plan is to offer it as a package to other fire departments, as it still has considerable value as a rescue vehicle.

Weber also reported that the contractor had finished the work on the building, replacing the damaged brick moulding and matching the siding to the existing exterior.  He said the work looked very nice and all that is left is some caulking that will be finished once the weather warms up in a few months.

Clean Up Day

While the township held its clean up day last fall because of COVID-related postponement, they are exploring the option of once again holding it in the spring.

The timing seems to work better in encouraging residents to bring in their items rather than disposing of them in ditches and road right of ways during the summer months.

A SCORE grant from Sherburne County will be part of the township’s plans to try and keep it a budget-neutral event as in the past.

The next meeting of the board will be Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. at the Township Hall.