Clearwater Twp.
Clearwater Township residents approved a 2.7% increase in the township’s overall levy for 2020 at the annual meeting Tuesday evening.
There weren’t many people in attendance Tuesday, about 16 compared with 30 last year.
Those who were present heard an explanation of the proposed individual fund increases before taking a vote.
The biggest hike came in the fire and rescue service fund, where the board was recommending an increase of 18.6% from $64,900 to $77,000. That number was based on a new formula established a week ago between the City of Clearwater, Lynden Twp. and Clearwater Twp. The formula divides the fire budget based on the number of calls from each jurisdiction averaged over an eight-year span.
As it turns out, the city pays 53%, Clearwater Twp. pays 24% and Lynden Twp pays 23%.
Resident Elaine Paumen said she didn’t like the new formula and felt Clearwater Twp. shouldn’t be paying more than Lynden Twp., which has a larger population and higher market values.
Clearwater Fire Chief Ryan Pridgeon said the formula was agreed on by all three entities for one year, at which time it may be re-evaluated and changed again.
Later when the residents voted to approve the fire levy, Paumen voted against.
Residents approved the town revenue fund levy at $85,000, which is a 1.2% increase over the 2019 levy of $84,000. That fund covers all general township functional expenses, like elections, legal services, wages, town hall maintenance, insurance and office supplies.
The road and bridge fund was set at $330,000 - the same as last year and the same as in three previous years.
Before the vote there was a discussion on some of the proposed road projects.
Resident Ron Jaeger asked why the board was considering re-chip-sealing Hart & 125th Street and 140th Street if they were only done four years ago.
Supervisor Bill Langenbacher said it was only a proposal, not definite. And that proposal was based on the estimated life of chip seal, which typically last between five and seven years before needing a re-coating. He said the board didn’t want to wait untilt he road was deteriorating before taking action.
Supervisor Scott Miller said a re-coating costs about half of the original cost and prolongs the life of the roadway. He also said if there are small patches and repairs to be done, the township’s maintenance crew takes care of them and there isn’t a need to call back the contractor.
Langenbacher said another project, reconstructing 150th Street from Ferman Ave. to Grover Ave., will not cost the township as much as expected because the township applied for and received a $750,000 state grant.
He said originally, the plan was to do grading work, rebuild slopes and return the road to gravel. But with the grant, and sharing the cost with Silver Creek. Twp., the road will now be blacktopped.
Residents also approved a $2,000 donation to the Clearwater Library, the same as in the past few years.
The next regular township meeting is April 8 at 7:30 p.m.
Becker Twp.
Becker Township held its annual meeting Thursday after the election polls closed. The election was very close. Brad Wilkening will retain his seat as supervisor.
A few items came up but the meeting didn’t last longer than 45 minutes to an hour.
During this time, the township board presented Marilyn Olson with an award for serving as election judge for 40 years!
“Someone asked me the other day how long I’d been doing this,” said Marilyn, “I guessed it was about 35 years, and then they went to look up my history in the computer and it added up to 40 years! I had no idea. My favorite part of doing this is connecting with the members and being able to give back to my community.”
CentraCare Health representative Brian Baulk attended the meeting. He gave an overview of the Monticello projects and initiatives going on. The CentraCare Health Monticello ER will be undergoing chances to help them enhance the quality of their emergency care by promoting higher levels of patient privacy, adding more patient amenities, and incorporating more safety features.
Another program for 2019 is the safe driving education now being offered. Health Foundation and CentraCare Health in Monticello purchased a distracted driving simulator and partnering with schools, businesses, and organizations to educate drivers.
There were talks about the basics such as roads, the state of the township, review of permitting, setting newspaper/posting locations, and the levy.
Regarding road projects, the 185th Ave Township project (located south of Co. Rd. 4 and north of 109th) will have bids open on March 18. In terms of resident opinion, one person was really happy with the snowplowing in a tough year. Others were displeased with the 185th Ave project, but it is the portion north of Co. Rd. 4 where Sherburne County has jurisdiction, not the township.
The township levy needed to be increased and was passed by the voters present. The levy for 2020 will be 1,210,000. It was 1,005,000 in 2019.
Becker township will meet for its next regular meeting April 8.
Haven Twp.
Haven Twp. had an uneventful annual meeting Tuesday, with residents turning up in low numbers to vote on the levy and hear township updates.
David Meyers was nominated moderator, after which the treasurer’s report was read and approved.
Supervisor Mark Knowles gave the road and bridge report, telling attendees Sherwood West was their next big project. He explained that while the project is expected to cost between $450,000 to $650,000, depending on energy costs, it’s a much more involved project than usual.
Depending on the numbers, the township is hoping to get the dirt work and resurfacing completed in 2019.
A resident asked about the township’s snowplowing policy, to which Knowles explained they try to get through the entire township once just to make the roads passable and then go back and widen them up.
Supervisor Jeff Schlingmann added this is the first year he knows of that the township has had to hire front end loaders to push out areas of snow.
Supervisor Kathi Kosloski gave the fire repost, explaining the township was in its second year of a two-year contract with Sauk Rapids. She informed attendees the dry hydrants they were looking into installing wouldn’t be happening as the township doesn’t have a water source that meets the needs of one.
Schlingmann explained the budget and levy for 2020, which remained the same as last year at $461,000. Motions carried accepting both.
The gopher bounty was again set at $2 a gopher and cleanup day was set for March 11 from 8 a.m. to noon. Township residents who bring in items such as tires they’ve found in ditches won’t be charged for them.
Gloria Plombon asked what was used to control weeds in solar farms. Schlingmann said he would inquire with the county and get back to her.
The next Haven Twp. annual meeting was set for March 10 at 7 p.m.
Lynden Twp.
Around 30 residents attended the Lynden Twp. annual meeting Tuesday night to have their voices heard and learn who their new supervisor would be.
Brian Nickolauson was nominated moderator, after which Treasurer Dan Torgersen gave the board of audit and treasurer’s reports.
He informed attendees the board of audit found no discrepancies, and that as of Dec. 28 the township’s bank balance was $459.614, down 8% from last year.
Motions carried approving the treasurer’s report, continuing the Citizen-Tribune as the official newspaper, Couri & Ruppe as township attorney, Lake Central Bank as the depository of funds with Sherburne State Bank as the alternative institution, Republic Waste Services for recycling, and to continue providing the Clearwater Public Library with $2,000 in annual support.
Annandale Assistant Fire Chief Chris Townson informed the group there were 226 calls for the year including six incidents in Lynden Twp. Their portion of the 2020 proposed levy is $13,536, the same as last year.
Clearwater Fire Chief Ryan Pridgeon informed attendees there were 65 calls for the year, mostly medicals. Four of their firefighters who live in the township are authorized to go directly to scenes as they carry equipment with them. The fire department’s portion of the 2020 proposed levy is $71,728, a 19.5% increase over last year.
Residents expressed appreciation for the fire departments’ service.
Retiring Supervisor Anne Ackerman thanked the township board and residents for their support over the years and then told attendees about the township’s website updates, including it being mobile-friendly, timely updates posted on the home page, a frequently asked questions section and new fillable application forms.
She then provided township recycling statistics and spoke about the past year’s plats, conditional use permits, annexation, complaints and building within the township. She also explained the township’s ordinance updates, all of which can be found on their website.
Ackerson informed the group the Beaver Island Trail extension was still happening; engineering plans expect to be completed in 2019 with dedication in 2020. The township has park dedication fee funds that will be used towards the trail. There is also a new trail from Clearwater to Monticello being discussed.
Concerning roads, attendees were informed 2019 projects include major reconstruction of 189th Street E and 7th Ave. E, crack filling and chip coating on Elderberry and Englewood Roads, and culvert extensions on 13th Ave.
The proposed 2020 levy was explained, which includes a $35,000 increase due to the higher expense of asphalt maintenance, snow removal and the Clearwater fire contract increase. The new fire contract has Lynden paying 23% of the budget, Clearwater Twp. 24%, and the City of Clearwater 53%.
A motion carried approving the $410,264 proposed 2020 levy.
Supervisor Dave Johnson presented Ackerman with a certificate of appreciation and thanked her for all her years of service with the township.
After votes for the vacant supervisor position were tallied, Tom Plaggerman and Todd Voigt had 28 votes apiece; the winner, Plaggerman, was ultimately determined through a card draw at the Board of Canvas meeting the following evening. Incumbent Treasurer Torgersen ran unopposed for re-election and won unanimously.
Tax equalization day will be April 4 at 7 p.m. and cleanup day April 27 from 8 to 11 a.m., although that date will most likely change. Updates will be posted to the website. Johnson applied for and received a $3,000 SCORE grant, which helps offset cleanup day expenses.
The next Lynden Twp. annual meeting was set for March 10 at 8 p.m.
Clear Lake Twp.
After minutes from last year’s annual meeting were read and approved, Larry Seeley was nominated moderator.
Treasurer Paul Goenner gave the treasurer’s report; motions carried approving the report and for continuing the Citizen-Tribune as the official newspaper.
Supervisor Bud Stimmler gave the park report and updated residents on the future new town hall and fire fill station that is expected to be completed this summer. Twp. Engineer Terrance Vander Eyk gave the road report, reviewing 2018 projects and explaining the ones upcoming.
A motion carried approving the 2020 proposed levy at $460,000, to be approved at the board’s discretion in September. The levy remained the same as last year.
Forty-four ballets in the election for the supervisor position were cast, with incumbent Supervisor Joe Goenner receiving all.
The Board of Equalization meeting will be April 10 at 10 a.m. and cleanup day will be May 4 from 7:30 a.m. to noon.
The next Clear Lake Twp. annual meeting was set for March 10 at 8 p.m.
Palmer Twp.
Over 20 people came out to Palmer Twp. to take the opportunity to hear their township’s annual reports and discuss future budgets and the proposed levy.
Denis White was nominated moderator.
A motion carried approving the proposed 2020 levy, which included a 3% increase from last year. The increase was necessary due to road upkeep expenses.
Along with those discussions, residents were informed the fire hall would be paid off in April; the final payment was sent out last week.
A motion carried to provide the Sherburne Co. History Center with $500 in annual support. The gopher bounty was again set at $3 and cleanup day was set for May 4 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Forty-five ballots were cast for incumbent Supervisor Mike Ganz, who was running unopposed.
White asked attendees to take a moment to recognize John Kuster and Tom Koontz, township residents who had both recently passed away, for all they’d done for the township over the years. Both men had been a big part of the community and were instrumental in the formation of Palmer Park.
The next Palmer Twp. annual meeting was set for March 10 at 8 p.m.
Santiago Twp.
Like other area townships, Santiago had an uneventful annual meeting Tuesday night, with just under 20 residents coming out to vote on next year’s levy and hear annual updates.
A motion carried approving the 2020 proposed levy at $307,500, an increase of $5,000 over last year. The increase was necessary for the township to continue putting away money for the upcoming fire truck replacement.
Residents were asked if the price to rent the town hall should be increased for non-residents; they voted not to do so.
The gopher bounty was raised from $2 to $2.50 each and cleanup day was set for April 27.
With 16 votes cast, incumbent Supervisor David Jehoich and incumbent Treasurer Patty Simonsmeier both retained their seats.
The next Santiago Twp. annual meeting was set for March 10 at 8 p.m.
