During Orrock Township’s October board meeting, Supervisor Bob Hassett turned in his resignation. Hassett recently sold his Orrock property and is planning to move up north. Hassett served on the board for many years. 

Hassett’s seat will need to be filled either by appointment or by special election, as his resignation came too soon before election day for a special election to be added to the ballot.

Pond Cleanup

Orrock resident Susan Rivers contacted the board with concerns that the township was illegally digging on her property. In actuality, the township was trying to clean out the drainage pond next to her property, something they try to do on a semi-regular basis. The pond allows for sediment to collect there instead of entering the nearby lake, and periodic dredging helps to prevent flooding and sediment buildup. The township did not intend to enlarge the area, which would require a permit. 

However, Rivers insisted that the area has grown larger due to the cleaning which has caused trees to fall in, and she was concerned because she thought the area was a protected wetland. 

In response, the town clerk and board chair went out to the area in question to grab photos, and also reached out to Sherburne County Water Resource Planner Matt Danzl for more information. They had not yet heard back from Danzl at the time of the meeting. 

In Other Business, the Board: 

• Gave their opinions on a potential new bike trail going through the refuge starting at the north end of 180th St. (just north of town hall);

• Gave comments regarding an IUP for a home business of the Piltz family;

• Agreed to snowplow the Pine Crest Estates West development for one year;

• Set the date to canvass the votes of the election for November 13 at 6 p.m.;

• Held a brief discussion about when to hold a meeting regarding 2025 road projects, deciding to do so next spring since many residents of the affected area are snow birds.