Clearwater Township is in the process of developing a long-range road project plan.
This week, one of the projects was completed - a 480-foot section on 150th Street east of Huber Ave.
Tuesday and Wednesday, the maintenance crew installed a new culvert, re-graded the slopes, installed silt fencing and straw blankets to prevent erosion.
Although the actual square footage of the project was small, it took more than a year to complete. Just last week, the township received its permit for wetland delineation that allowed them to change the slope.
“This is all new material,” said Maintenance Supervisor Mike Ludenia. “There was no in-slope. It just dropped down about four feet. If you drove off the edge of the road you’d tip over.”
Planning for the project started over a year ago. The township had to work with the Army Corps of Engineers, the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) and the Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) to make any modifications that would affect the wetlands.
Ludenia said the improvements will make the road much safer.
July Meeting
At the last monthly township meeting in July, the board approved a quote of $46,112 by Astech Corp. to chip seal the 163rd Street loop in Ray’s Addition.
The approval was contingent on the company being able to complete the project by Sept. 1.
The board also discussed the ordinance proposed by the City of Clearwater allowing the fire department to charge fees for certain services. Clerk Jean Just said she contacted the Clearwater City Administrator to look into whether the fire contract between the city and township has to be amended because of the ordinance.
The board also discussed aquatic invasive species in township lakes. Supervisor Rose Thelen is working on getting a guest speaker to talk about the issue at the Aug. 14 meeting.
