Wilma Township

Archive for 2013

WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING,   MAY 1, 2013 

          Chairman Glen Williamson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Also present were Supervisors Gary Vink and Mike McCullen, Treasurer Patrice Winfield, Clerk Paul Raymond, Road Manager Mark Pallow, and Duane Glienke, Rod Williams, and Tom Harris.

Paul read the record of the April meeting.  He made one correction:  the township acquired the park land from the state, not the county.  Mike moved to approve the report; Gary seconded.

OLD BUSINESS:  Fire Hall Repairs:  Gary explained the problems the supervisors have with the repair job on the fire hall.  The man-door knob is reversed, and there is a gap between the new wall on the west side and the foundation timber, wide enough for snow to have come through this winter.  The meeting moved to the fire hall to inspect the repairs and show Rod the problems that need correcting.  Gary had inserted fiberglass insulation into the gap at the bottom of the wall on the southwest side.  Rob said he will come back with caulking and sealant and seal the gaps, and will reverse the door knob.  Gary also said he had to clean up a lot of nails.  Gary said he was ill with the flu and excused himself from the meeting.

Inside, Rob showed the board cad computer drawings of a project he is currently working on, and said if we use this lumber yard they will provide similar drawings and blueprints for us.  Glen said there has been some talk about getting a modular building; we could specify our requirements and dimensions.  Mike said he is very opposed to this; he would like a stick-built building constructed by a local contractor.  Rob said if we contracted each job separately, like the slab or the septic, we may get under the threshold where we would have to use sealed bidding. Patrice said this would violate the law; the contractor has to be responsible for all the subcontractors and include them in his bid.  Mike asked if the board could appoint a separate building committee that could meet without coming under the open meeting laws, even if he and Glen were on the committee.  Paul said this is a definite violation and could lead to a lot of problems.  We can still have meetings with 5 days notice, counting the posting and meeting dates.  Glen told Rob we would keep him posted on developments, and when  they will open the project to bidding he can put in a bid.  Rob offered his apologies for the deficiencies in the fire hall job.

Town Park:  Cathy Clemmer researched the history of our park in Section 8.  She says that in 1953 the township applied for a deed to the south half of the park land, 16.45 acres, but she can find no record of applying for a deed to the north 20.  She said we can apply to the state now for a deed to the whole park.  There is no disputing that the town was awarded 36.5 acres.  Cathy said it is trust land, restricted to park and recreation, and the township cannot sell or trade off any part of it.  The new deed could specify town hall site as well as park, in case we do build there.  Paul said he went through all the township files and could find no meeting records prior to 1987.  He contacted Becky Niedzielski since she and Donna Filler had researched the files to see if they could be scanned to ask if she remembered seeing any meeting records before then.  She could not remember, but did not take any records out of the hall.  Paul said if he had ever seen old meeting minute books, he would have read some of them since his family has lived in Wilma continuously since 1927, and he has no memory of seeing any records.  Mike said he would ask his mother and Roz Hanula to see if they remember seeing old town meeting records.  Mike said other things have disappeared from the township property.  We do have the large financial ledger books.

Mike explained to Duane Glienke that the board understands that he does not want to sacrifice or lose any land, but if the town were able to trade off part of the park land in exchange for part of the strip of land Duane holds between the store and the fire hall, we talked about making an offer.  Duane said he does not want to sell any part of his land to the township because he does not want his taxes to be raised by building a new town hall.  He said we have a good hall now.

Grader repair:  Mark said RDO will be done with the grader this week, and if we pay them, they will deliver it.  The total bill came to $16,198, much less than the estimate.  They fixed the engine and replaced all the filters and the hydraulics and everything needed.

Snowfall:  In the big snowfall we had in late April, Mark made the decision to hire Mike’s truck to plow township roads and drives.  Mike said it was too heavy and deep for his truck but they drove a path for cars, until Mark hired ArnaTownship’s grader and operator to plow the drives.  Glen said he made a good decision.

NEW BUSINESS:  Road Inspection:   Mike moved to set the road inspection for Wednesday, May 22, 10 a.m. at the hall.  He will drive his truck; Mike said we may need two vehicles.  He said that he hasn’t gone on earlier inspections to save the township money, but feels he should go this time.

Pancake Breakfast:  Glen moved that the Duxbury Volunteer Fire Dept. be allowed to use the hall on Sunday, May 26, for their pancake breakfast.  Mike seconded.  Passed.

Mowing and maintenance:  Mike said it makes sense to have the road manager be in charge of plowing the township parking lot, and also for maintenance duties like mowing the lawns or shoveling snow.  He moved that Mark’s job description be broadened to Road and Building Manager.  Glen seconded.  Passed.  Mike said Mark can hire someone to shovel the ram, mow and to prepare the hall for meetings, etc.    Mike said Mark is required at board meetings to give the road and grader reports, and he should be paid, at least for one hour.  He moved that Mark be paid labor rate for one hour for board meetings; Glen seconded.  Passed.

Treasurer’s Report and Claims:  Patrice gave the Treasurer’s Report (attached).  Bills were presented:

Glen Williamson (mileage)                          $            72.32

RDO Equipment                                                 16,198.57

Federated Coop                                                        17.69

RDO Equipment                                                    710.67

Security Life (dental)                                              426.48

Mn. Assn. Townships (short course)                               200.00

ECE                                                                         69.95

Mike McCullen (plowing/truck)                             350.00

Paul Raymond (expenses)                                        19.00

Patrice Winfield (expenses)                                      46.31

Pine CountyCourier                                                16.76

Joe Vink                                                                 100.00

Paul Raymond                                                       359.24

Mark Pallow                                                            265.96

Mike McCullen                                                       155.14

Joe Vink                                                                   13.85

Gary Vink                                                               108.05

Patrice Winfield                                                         196.70

Glen Williamson                                                     217.02

Toni Williamson                                                       92.35

Total bills                      $       19.636.06

Mike moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report, to pay all the claims, and to transfer $20,000.00 from savings into checking.  Glen seconded.  Mike moved to adjourn; Glen seconded.  Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Paul Raymond, Clerk

WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF REVIEW AND EQUALIZATION, WED., APRIL 24, 2013

Chairman Glen Williamson called the Board of Review to order at 1 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Also present Supervisor Gary Vink, Clerk Paul Raymond, County Assessor Kelly Schroeder and Wilma Assessor Robert Brewster, and Joseph Vink. Paul read the record of the 2012 Board of Equalization. Gary moved to approve; Glen seconded.

There were no letters. Joseph Vink asked about parcel 32.00079, the site of the Duxbury Store and the Vink home. The description on his tax form was cut off at the point where it said “excluding…” Bob explained that the description was too long to fit on the paper, so it just got cut off. They went on line with Glen’s phone and antenna to reach the store Wi-fi to look up the legal description. The 2.8 acres on the southwest corner of section 9 is 20 rods (330’) wide, west to east measured from the center of Tamarack River Road, and 16 rods (264’) from the center of Duxbury Road to the Pletcher’s and the Town Hall’s property line north. Joe’s property runs 150’ north and 165’ east. Pletcher’s is 114’ north to the property line. West to east, Duane Winglike owns the 84 feet running east of the store, and the township owns the last 81’. Both Glienke’s and the township’s land runs the full 16 rods north, 264’. Joe said that the township purchased 21’ from Mike Glienke, but it is unclear if the 84’ reflects the dimension before or after that sale. Joe said the county will have the deed and description of this sale. Vink’s and Pletcher’s total one acre, and Glienke’s and the townships total one acre. Joe said his only concern is that he was being taxed for part of Pletcher’s property. Kelly said they have the accurate description and he is not.

Gary Vink brought parcel 32.0081, the south farm property that is still in Beverly Vink’s name. Gary said he wanted to have it appraised as residential homestead as he is living in the trailer there. Kelly said the Board wouldn’t rule on that, but Gary can go to the county to have it changed to homestead status.

No other appeals. Gary moved to adjourn; Glen seconded. Meeting adjourned at 1:40 p.m. Paul Raymond, Clerk

WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS EMERGENCY MEETING FOR GRADER

APRIL 12, 2013

Chairman Glen Williamson called a special emergency Board of Supervisors Meeting as per MN. Statute 13D.04 Subd. 3, to authorize Wilma Road Manager Mark Pallow to get the township grader repaired.  At the regular meeting on Wed., April 3, the board had set a ceiling of $15,000, based on the phone estimate RDO in Sauk Rapids gave Mark when he explained the cylinder problem. When RDO actually got the grader, they gave Mark a revised estimate of $19,400 because there were other serious issues with the grader.  The board met at 2 p.m. at the Duxbury Store, with Supervisor Gary Vink, Supervisor Mike McCullen and citizens  Joe Vink, Mark Pallow, and Township Clerk Paul Raymond.

Mark said the repairs are more extensive than he had thought, and they will need to remove the engine to replace the oil gasket.  RDO wants to repair everything that is an issue, so that we do not need to have maintenance for a long time.  The total estimate now, including the shipping costs, is $21,122.  Glen said we should allow RDO do all required and preventative maintenance to avoid future trips to Sauk Rapids.  Considering that we have had the grader for 6 years, he said the averaged annual maintenance and repair costs aren’t that great.  Joe said the oil leak is serious and it cannot be repaired by him, and it will keep getting worse.

Mike suggested setting a new ceiling for the total repair without further authorization of $30,000.  Glen said we should set it no more than $25,000 and moved that the board authorize repairs up to $25,000.  Gary seconded.  Passed.   Mike moved to adjourn; Gary seconded.  Meeting adjourned at 2:25 p.m.

Paul Raymond, Clerk

NOTICE WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EQUALIZATION & REVIEW 

To Appeal 2014 Property Tax Valuations

Wednesday, April 24, 1 p.m.

Wilma Town Hall, Duxbury

Paul Raymond, Clerk

WILMA TOWNSHIP APRIL 3, 2013  BOARD OF REORGANIZATION AND BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING

          Chairman Glen Williamson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Clerk Paul Raymond administered the oath of office to newly reelected Supervisor Glen and Treasurer Patrice Winfield.  Gary Vink nominated Glen to serve as Chairman of the Board for 2013; Mike seconded.  Passed.    Supervisor Mike McCullen moved that the board approve the budget that the voters approved at the March 12 Annual Town Meeting.  The change for 2014 was an increase in the building fund from $1,200 to $5,000, and for 2013, an increase in the treasurer’s meeting pay from $70 to $80.  Supervisor Gary Vink seconded.  Passed.  Mike moved that we retain the same bank and posting as last year, Northview Bank, The Pine County Courier and The Evergreen, and posted notices at the town hall and the Duxbury Store, and that next year’s annual election and Town Meeting be the second Tuesday of March, 2014.  Gary seconded.  All passed.

Also present at the Board of Supervisors’ meeting were:  Eldon and Marg Schmedeke, Road Manager Mark Pallow, and Joe Vink.  Paul read the record of the March meeting.  Gary moved to approve; Mike seconded.

OLD BUSINESS:  Seven County Senior Federation contract.  They had asked the town to contract with them for $100 for their work on senior issues.  Mike moved that the board approve what the voters had approved at the annual meeting and Glen signed the contract.

Old School Arts Center:    Gary said he has had complaints since the annual meeting about the vote to donate $100 to the Old School Arts Center in Sandstone.  One complaint is that more and more organizations are asking for township support, and where will it end?  Mike said that people who don’t come to the annual meeting shouldn’t complain about the votes of those who do, but he also questions the need to support the OSAC.  Gary said he heard that the Lourey’s got a grant for $46,000 and he moved that the board not approve the donation.  Mike seconded.  Passed.

Pine County Historical Museum:  Last year the voters and the board voted to send $1 per resident, and the voters did the same at this year’s annual meeting.  Patrice said we never sent the donation last year.  Mike moved that we do send $1 per resident for this year, or $67.  Glen seconded.  Passed; Gary voting no.

Pine County Township Officers Meeting:  Glen was the only officer from Wilma to attend.  He gave a report on the commissioners’ and county officers’ reports.  He said that Sheriff Cole said that the EagleHeadTower will definitely be put up this spring as soon as it warms up, and the state will pay for it.  Telephone companies will likely be allowed to use it for cell phone relays.  Cole said he is short three deputies, and has 23 out of 26 posts.  People feel the north county is being neglected in coverage.  The new Assessor Kelly Schroeder spoke on the Green Acres Program.  Lenny Bonander spoke about the light rail express train from the cities to Duluth.  He believes the project is still on track and will happen.

North Pine Area Hospital District:   Glen said Curt Nelson said that CloverTownship wants to get out of their membership on the board, but they can’t resign.  The district board taxes $215,000, or $7.50 per person for towns that are members of the board.  Essentia signed the new contract with the Board and will not attempt to take over the district and hospital.  They will go ahead with plans to build a new hospital west of Sandstone, behind Gateway Clinic.  Discussion on what to do with the old hospital/nursing home.

DNR and Other Officials:  There are 3 DNR officers in Pine County.  There were 9 wolves harvested last year.  The big concern is aquatic invasive species.  Tim Faust spoke on gun control and the legislature. There is talk of increasing the gas tax.  Glen said Don Sherper encouraged more participation in state township meetings.  Mike said we should research if the East Central Regional Development board may have grants for building a new town hall, and he moved that Paul research this.  Glen seconded.  Passed.  DNR Fire Wardens Meeting:  Glen said that after last month’s meeting, he got a notice about a meeting on March 26 with the DNR for area people on burning dangers and permits and fire warden activities.  There was no opportunity to get authorization to represent the township, but he went anyway because it is an important issue with the blowdown fire danger.  They said the 2011 blowdown affected 186,000 acres with $12-$14 million in stumpage loss in our area.  Forty roads were damaged and thousands of acres need to be replanted.  They are issuing burning permits by zone.  The DNR bought a new dozer and chopper for our service area.  Last year 239 fires affected 69,000 acres.  Any fire wider than 3’ diameter with a 5’ clearance zone must have a permit.  These can be obtained online or from Duxbury Fire Warden Joe Vink at the store.  Glen said he did not add this meeting to his claim, but he asked the board to approve retroactively that he represent the township at this meeting.  Mike said there was no information given that he and Gary don’t already know, and moved that the board pay for Glen’s mileage, but not for a half-day meeting.  He said they did provide a meal as part of the evening.  Gary seconded.  Glen abstained. Passed.  Glen said the DNR is having  a meeting on the snowmobile trail system in the county on May 25 at the AskovCommunity Center.

Wilma Township Weight Limit Ordinance:   The Board reviewed the revised Ordinance Establishing a 7-Ton Axle Weight Limit on Wilma Township Roads Without a Permit.  Mike moved to approve the revisions and to publish and record the ordinance.  Gary seconded.  Passed.  Mike asked that the signs be ordered and that they read:

ROAD RESTRICTION

PERMIT REQUIRED OVER

7 TONS

AXLE WEIGHT ON

WILMA TOWNSHIP ROADS.

WILMA TWP. ORDINANCE

          Schmedeke Lane Committee:  Glen asked Eldon if he had made progress on drawing up clear requirements and minimum standards and specs for the Schmedeke Lane extension for us to present to the county before Wilma will agree to take over the road.  Eldon asked that no one talk with the commissioners until the committee gives their report.  He said he missed the annual meeting but he is very glad the voters approved going ahead with researching a new town hall.  He said he still feels the town park land is the best location, and the only reason the board is considering building it on the existing site or near the existing hall is because of the Duxbury Store.  Eldon said security could be guaranteed at the park site, and the southwest corner is high ground.  If Duane Glienke had built a logging road there when he logged the poplar, we would have a cleared site now.  He said that the town hall site does not have enough parking area.

New Town Hall:  Glen spoke with Ron Proffit at the East Pine Co. Wanderers’ meeting, and he is asking what has been decided.  Mike said he is very unhappy with the job on the fire hall; he said shovelable snow came in through the cracks on the repaired wall and he thinks it was a terrible job.

Glen said when the board does the spring road inspection, that they should check the park land for a feasible building site, and that the board should also inspect the fire hall repairs to see if the contractor needs to do more.  Joe asked if there has been a decision on the square feet for the new hall.  So far only with the proposal and blueprints that Rod Wilson gave before the annual meeting for a 42’x56’ (2352 square feet) building.  Mike said that for 30 years we have talked about the small field between the hall and the store.  Mike Glienke had said he would give the town that land, but it never happened.  Mike asked that we research whether we can trade a portion of our town park land that is next to Duane Glienke’s farm for the area between the fire/town halls and the Duxbury Store.  He said the county recorder should have a record or deed for the land that may have any restrictions on what the township can do with the land.  We got it donated from the county.  They should also have a record of the east boundary of the town hall land.  Mike moved to have the clerk write to the recorder and auditor to determine our township land boundaries and our rights regarding the 36.5 acre park. Glen seconded. Passed.  Joe said that any new hall should have a slab with in-floor heating.

NEW BUSINESS:  Township Dental Insurance:  Premiums have gone up, starting in the May quarter.  $53.31 for single officers, $159.93 for Glen and Toni, due at the next meeting.

Grader repair:  Mark said the grader needs a new cylinder, and the cost to transport and repair the grader will be $1,440 round trip to Park Rapids, plus $7,000-$10,000 for the repairs.  Mike said we have to have the grader fixed for the roads and he moved that Mark be authorized to have the grader transported to Park Rapids and to do repairs up to $15,000.  Mark will have them check the fuel lines and the engine missing.  Anything over $15,000 will require a special meeting.  Gary seconded.  Passed.

Spring Road Inspection:  Still too early to set a date for when the roads will be dry enough to do an inspection.

Fire Hall Doors:  The doors are in bad shape and will need to be replaced.  No action taken.

Treasurer’s Report and Claims:  Patrice gave the treasurer’s report (attached), and claims were presented:

Patrice Winfield (expenses)               $        13.33

The Evergreen                                            15.75

Pine Co. Courier                                         18.80

U.S. Treasury                                            454.20

ECE                                                            76.75

Aspire (website)                                         300.00

Paul Raymond (election/expenses)             58.91

Gary Vink (election)                                   45.00

Glen Williamson (mileage)                          55.37

Pine Co. Historical Museum                       67.00

7 County Senior Federation                       100.00

Barb Smith (election)                                   35.00

Ace Hardware                                             17.08

Gary Vink (election training)                      20.00

Frank Rehberger                                         41.56

Glen Williamson                                        150.30

Mike McCullen                                           78.96

Paul Raymond                                           234.57

Gary Vink                                                  241.96

Mark Pallow                                              457.13

Patrice Winfield                                         156.07

Total Bills            $    2,665.44

Mike moved to approve the treasurer’s report, to approve and pay all the claims, and to transfer $2,700 from savings to checking.  Gary seconded.  Mike moved to transfer $10,000 from the Road and Bridge Fund to the General Fund, as Patrice said the General Fund is $300 in the hole.  Gary seconded.  Passed.  Gary moved that the meeting be adjourned; Mike seconded.  Meeting adjourned at 10 p.m.

Board of Equalization and Review:  Paul reminded the board that the board of reorganization and review will be Wednesday, April 24, at 1 p.m.

Paul Raymond, Clerk