State Rep. Jim Newberger was invited to Tuesday’s Clear Lake Township meeting to discuss current legislative activities and developments regarding the I-94 to Hwy. 10 corridor connection.
Newberger was invited by Chairman Gary Gray because Gray said he received several phone calls from residents asking what is going on with the proposed bypass through Clear Lake.
Newberger started by saying that he doesn’t like nor want the current proposed bypass plan. Newberger said the bypass subject keeps “bubbling to the surface” but is really a “rumor” circulating within MnDOT in association with their 20-year plan.
“My biggest concern with this proposed project is it could turn into a public/private partnership and become an opportunity for the state to put in a toll-road,” he said. “I’ve talked to people in this community and the consensus is they do not want a bypass here.”
The bypass would connect I-94 to Hwy. 10 from the town of Hasty through Clear Lake Twp.
“The governor likes the public/private partnership but I don’t and I don’t think the people of this area do either,” Newberger said.
Newberger did, however, say he had heard the city and township of Becker may be interested in having a bypass go through their community. He also said Mayor Dave Kleis of St. Cloud has a plan in the works about adding a bypass on the southern end of his city.
Newberger also said he and Sen. Dave Brown are working hard to preserve jobs at Sherco in Becker despite being “in the crosshairs” of state environmentalists.
“This subject is the most important to me,” said Newberger. “I’m going to stand up for Sherco as long as I am a state representative.”
Newberger said the last session went well and he is doing his best to stay “plugged into” the communities he serves by attending council and township meetings and hearing from constituents.
Road Report
Engineer Terrance VanderEyk passed out an engineer’s estimate for possible sealcoating projects for next year. Three township areas were identified in the worksheet including White Farm Estates, River Rose Retreat and 70th Ave. from Co. Rd. 8 to Hwy. 24. The total cost is estimated at around $97,610.
Chairman Gray said the township budgeted $132,000 for road projects next year so they were thrilled to see the costs so far are coming in under budget.
Eyk said he would forward the list on to the county to be included in their bid letting in March.
Goenner Farms
The township board passed a resolution to purchase property from the Goenner family on the south side of 74th St. on Long Lake. The township is interested in the land because it would attach to the township’s right-of-way and provide adequate water drainage. It would also enable the township to protect its roadways and enhance environmental safeguards.
The parcel is being sold to the township for the amount of $52,400.
A contract for deed and legal description with new language was forwarded to the township attorney for reviewal.
Other News
• The board voted to allow Twp. Clerk Mary Mathison to purchase a new laptop for township business not to exceed $2,000. Mathison had been using her own personal laptop for township business;
• The board voted to approve a $375 repair (Haus Construction) of the township hall roof where leaking was occurring;
• Deputy Chris Aleshire said his department saw 91 calls for service come in for the month of October, including 55 traffic situations, three accidents, one grass fire, two domestic, three suspicious vehicles and four traffic complaints:
• Gray reported there was no library board meeting last month;
• Gray said the fire department recently purchased two new thermal imagers for the amount of $16,000. The next township board meeting is Dec. 17 at 7 p.m.
Newberger was invited by Chairman Gary Gray because Gray said he received several phone calls from residents asking what is going on with the proposed bypass through Clear Lake.
Newberger started by saying that he doesn’t like nor want the current proposed bypass plan. Newberger said the bypass subject keeps “bubbling to the surface” but is really a “rumor” circulating within MnDOT in association with their 20-year plan.
“My biggest concern with this proposed project is it could turn into a public/private partnership and become an opportunity for the state to put in a toll-road,” he said. “I’ve talked to people in this community and the consensus is they do not want a bypass here.”
The bypass would connect I-94 to Hwy. 10 from the town of Hasty through Clear Lake Twp.
“The governor likes the public/private partnership but I don’t and I don’t think the people of this area do either,” Newberger said.
Newberger did, however, say he had heard the city and township of Becker may be interested in having a bypass go through their community. He also said Mayor Dave Kleis of St. Cloud has a plan in the works about adding a bypass on the southern end of his city.
Newberger also said he and Sen. Dave Brown are working hard to preserve jobs at Sherco in Becker despite being “in the crosshairs” of state environmentalists.
“This subject is the most important to me,” said Newberger. “I’m going to stand up for Sherco as long as I am a state representative.”
Newberger said the last session went well and he is doing his best to stay “plugged into” the communities he serves by attending council and township meetings and hearing from constituents.
Road Report
Engineer Terrance VanderEyk passed out an engineer’s estimate for possible sealcoating projects for next year. Three township areas were identified in the worksheet including White Farm Estates, River Rose Retreat and 70th Ave. from Co. Rd. 8 to Hwy. 24. The total cost is estimated at around $97,610.
Chairman Gray said the township budgeted $132,000 for road projects next year so they were thrilled to see the costs so far are coming in under budget.
Eyk said he would forward the list on to the county to be included in their bid letting in March.
Goenner Farms
The township board passed a resolution to purchase property from the Goenner family on the south side of 74th St. on Long Lake. The township is interested in the land because it would attach to the township’s right-of-way and provide adequate water drainage. It would also enable the township to protect its roadways and enhance environmental safeguards.
The parcel is being sold to the township for the amount of $52,400.
A contract for deed and legal description with new language was forwarded to the township attorney for reviewal.
Other News
• The board voted to allow Twp. Clerk Mary Mathison to purchase a new laptop for township business not to exceed $2,000. Mathison had been using her own personal laptop for township business;
• The board voted to approve a $375 repair (Haus Construction) of the township hall roof where leaking was occurring;
• Deputy Chris Aleshire said his department saw 91 calls for service come in for the month of October, including 55 traffic situations, three accidents, one grass fire, two domestic, three suspicious vehicles and four traffic complaints:
• Gray reported there was no library board meeting last month;
• Gray said the fire department recently purchased two new thermal imagers for the amount of $16,000. The next township board meeting is Dec. 17 at 7 p.m.
