Sherburne County Sheriff Joel Brott attended the Clear Lake Township meeting Tuesday night to present the county’s 2016 Annual Report.

 

Brott told the board there were 954 total contacts in the township for the year, which for more serious crimes included 11 burglaries, 14 thefts, six criminal damage to properties, two narcotic arrests and three DUI’s.

 

He informed them the county had hired five new patrol deputies in the past year, and a new police dog, K-9 Riggs, had joined the force that fall.

 

Engineer Terrance Vander Eyk informed the board the county wouldn’t be doing a sealcoat program for 2017, and briefly discussed the $69,000 estimate he had presented in November for sealcoating pertinent township roads. He indicated he would inquire if Palmer Township would be doing work Clear Lake Township could partner up with on.

 

Supervisor Bud Stimmler asked him to get initial cost estimates on repairing the large cracks on 116th, 80th and 82nd before sealcoating. 

 

Vander Eyk presented a new estimate for stabilizing the 71st Street slope with riprap for $19,135. After discussing the original plan to repair the road with a geogrid last month, the board had decided to instead patch and then keep an eye on it for a few years.

 

The board accepted the bid; the project will be completed in the spring.

 

Chairman Gary Gray asked the board to review information on reclaiming and repaving driveways when roadwork is done so a driveway ordinance could be passed at their February meeting. 

 

“We need to address the driveway situation and get it taken care of now so we don’t have to worry about it when the time comes,” he said. 

 

Work will be done in Sherwood Shores some time in the future, where there are driveways in concrete, asphalt and pavers. Vander Eyk indicated there was a significant cost difference in materials.

Gray said he planned to attend a future Sherwood Shores Association meeting to discuss the ordinance with property owners.

 

Sara Smith approached the board requesting a 52-foot variance in the setback from the overall high water level (OHWL) of her Big Elk Lake property for a septic system upgrade. The required setback is 75 feet. Once upgraded the septic system will be 23 feet from the OHWL. 

 

The board had no concerns with the variance, and a motion was made for approval and to forward a positive comment form on to the county.

 

Smith asked the board if there was a way to get a trailer moved that was blocking her view when she exited her driveway.

 

Gray told her they would discuss the issue with their snowplow contractor to see if it created a problem with snow removal, and would also check if it was blocking the right of way, which would be a concern for the safety of the traveling public.

 

Gray asked the board to review the draft for the Resolution for the Establishment of a Policy for the Compensation of Fence Viewers in the Town of Clear Lake so it could be discussed at the February meeting.

 

The Sherburne County Water Plan will be expiring in 2017; the county has asked for township feedback regarding the future plan. The board will review and discuss at the February meeting.

 

The board approved amending the Clear Lake area history book contract with the new completion date of August 1. Stimmler will be inviting long time agricultural families to meet and discuss the area’s agricultural history.

 

The board passed a motion approving the 2017 Bingo permit for Travelers Country Club on the Mississippi.

 

Clean up day was set for May 6.

 

The Board of Audit meeting will be 10 a.m. on Feb. 28 at the township hall.

 

The next Clear Lake Township meeting will be February 21 at 7 p.m.