By Bill Morgan, Staff Writer

 

The Girl Scouts were part of Monday’s Palmer Twp. Board meeting as they introduced an idea to supplant a little library at the town park.

Scout Project

Meghan Swanson, Delaney Varney and Gabby Artman of Troop 698 gave a presentation to the Palmer Board Monday as part of their goal to achieve a Silver Award.

Swanson said even though the idea for a little library had been brought forth to the board in the past and been snubbed, she and her troop members thought their design and plan would be a great fit for the community of Palmer.

Swanson said the girls are each vying to get little libraries established in local communities. Swanson’s design was for Palmer while the other two girls had presentations yet to do for two other communities.

Swanson said her idea for the little library would be established at Palmer Park — possibly by the pavillion, playground or parking lot. 

“It would work out great at the park because of the bike paths,” she said.

She explained Girl Scout troops current and future will be responsible for maintaining the unit through the years.

The little library would contain books for children and anyone passing by can take a book to read or leave one for someone else to find.

Swanson said if approved, construction on the library unit would commence next March and be installed in April, depending on weather.

The board approved.

Road Maintenance

Herbst Excavating was hired to be the township’s winter snowplowing contractor. The board will review their current snowplowing policy to advise Herbst on when snowplowing can commence depending on depth of snowfall.

Patching of area roads is progressing. It was noted an area on 47th Street has a significant hole and needs to be patched.

Two speed zone signs were put up recently and a couple dead-end signs identified to be replaced.

Another sign — on the west side of 115th St. — has brush overgrowing and making the sign unnoticeable. The board advised maintenance to trim back the bushes or spray them.

Park Report

The board was told that five maple trees will be purchased for the park once they are told of late-season price reductions.

The board was told their well is still throwing sand and will get flushed out to try and fix the problem. The township may have to install a different screen on the unit.

Roger Johnson said he “upped” the insurance coverage  to cover the new playground equipment.

The board was told there are several dead trees at the park that may or may not be addressed before Palmer Day, Sept. 8.

Lake Association

Saturday, the board elected six new members to their organization. The Palmer board was told the association is looking for volunteers at the food booth at Palmer Day. They are also looking for volunteers to help with water testing at the lakes.

Sign Ordinance

The board discussed at length the issue that numerous heavy trucks are causing damage to township roads that are built to a five-ton construction.

Eleven signs were put up recently advising truckers about the township ordinance and to direct them to apply for a permit should they need to use roads for heavy loads.

“It’s a process we need to enforce to try and save some of our roads,” Chairman Mike Ganz said.

The sheriff’s department will be tasked with enforcing the ordinance whenever they see a violation.

Septic Variance

John Jaszewski asked the board to approve a 132-foot variance to have a new septic system installed on his mother’s property to the north of Briggs Lake.

Jaszewski said his mother is getting older and if at some time in the near future she decides to sell the cabin, he wants to make sure the septic system is current and up-to-date. The current septic system sits 20-feet from the lake.

Board approved the system and said they would send favorable comments to the county.

Sheriff’s Report

Capt. Bob Stangler said there were 116 calls for service last month compared to 114 in 2017. Fifty-four of the calls were for traffic situations where 13 citations were handed out. Two ATV and one dirt bike warnings were issued. One DUI was processed as well as one property damage.

Fire Dept. Report

Chief Ron Koren said there were 20 calls for service in July that included one automobile accident, five medicals, one fire and one CO alarm.

Up Next 

The next Palmer Twp. Board meeting is Sept. 10 at 7 p.m.