The continuing issue of speeders on Sherburne County Road 11 came to a head last Wednesday during the May meeting of the Santiago Twp. Board, as the Supervisors and residents alike voiced their frustration with the recurring issue.  

Over the years, a number of temporary solutions — from increased law enforcement to temporary signage — have been tried in an effort to slow down the vehicles as they come through town.  However, with nearly every resident at the meeting able to recall harrowing experiences with speeding drivers, the board is looking for a more permanent solution to address the safety concerns.

Clerk Kathy Woolard had obtained a quote for signs that could be placed on both ends of town and would be able to not only display the speed of vehicles, but would also gather data about times and frequencies of speeders.  However, the supervisors had concerns about the longevity of the signs, as well as the cost ($10,000).  The board felt that an expenditure of that magnitude would require specific budgeting and a discussion at the annual meeting.  In addition, Supervisor Jeff Pappenfus asked for more information about the life expectancy of the signs, as well as battery maintenance, etc.

Other discussion revolved around the cost of a flashing yellow light or even speed bumps that could be placed on the road to slow the traffic down.

“What we have is a county road that comes through town and what we need is a county solution,” said Board Chair Stu Nelson.  “This has been an issue for way too long and we want some help . . . I want to invite them (county officials) to the July meeting so they can hear directly from our residents.”

Pappenfus and fellow supervisor Dave Jehoich agreed with Nelson’s sentiments and the board instructed Woolard to send an invitation to County Commissioner Felix Schmiesing, Sheriff Joel Brott and Public Works Director Andrew Witter asking them to attend July’s meeting.

The board discussed placing an ad in the Patriot and publicizing the July meeting at the businesses in town in the hopes of getting a larger group of residents to attend and share their concerns with the county officials.

One resident noted that it would be a good idea to invite the drivers from Centra Sota to the meeting, as he has witnessed several of them who were almost involved in accidents with speeding drivers at the intersection near the business entrance.

Roads

The board also discussed a copy of the quote they received from Becker Twp. regarding the maintenance on the east portion of 67th street, a shared roadway between the two townships.

The supervisors scoffed a bit at the amount, $91,800, as it seemed to be excessive and they decided to look into obtaining some bids of their own.

Woolard was instructed to let Becker know that the board is looking into other bids and will be advertising in the near future.  

It was suggested that the two boards might have to conduct another joint meeting to review the bids, as well as the overall scope of the project as it pertains to both ends of the roadway.  

Currently the road is divided into two sections- an eastern end that is gravel and a western end that has decaying asphalt.  

In the past, the board has expressed concerns about engineering costs associated with the reconstruction of the asphalt road, as well as finding an effective solution to the problems with the unstable nature of the road base.

Further clouding the issue is that the roads are connected by an unmaintained section of roadway and it was noted that some people have recently tried to traverse the middle portion of the road and became stuck.

According to the supervisors, Becker Twp. had placed a Minimum Maintenance sign on the middle portion, however Santiago contends that it is a cartway that is not required to be maintained.

As a result, the supervisors passed a resolution codifying their belief that the unmaintained section of roadway has cartway status and there are no plans to expend resources to maintain it because it is peat ground, is extremely wet and does not have a base to allow for routine maintenance.

Speaking about the existing portions of the roadway, the board realized there are probably no easy or inexpensive fixes.

“Both boards are in a dilemma,” Nelson stated.  “Past boards from both townships built the road and now we have to deal with trying to bring it up to standards.”

In other related road business, Jehoich noted that in the Township’s records he has found documentation that 10th street is a platted township roadway that was accepted by a previous board and therefore should be maintained just like the other roads.  

Treasurer Patty Simonsmeier informed that board that she has some related documentation and will bring that to the June board meeting, while Pappenfus will speak to his father, who was a long-time member of the board.  The road will be put on the agenda for discussion in June.

In Other Business, The Board:

• Heard about the SCSO’s 73 calls for service in April;

• Learned that the township’s portion of the fire contract will increase by $3,300;

• Received verification that the 3/4 ton former rescue rig is now up for sale on marketplace;

• Heard a report that 78 participants came to the township’s annual clean up day and there were a total of 14 volunteers.