WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING,   MARCH 5, 2014

          Chairman Glen Williamson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. at the Town Hall with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Also present were Supervisors Gary Vink and Mike McCullen, Treasurer Patrice Winfield, Clerk Paul Raymond, Road Grader Assistant Ben Glocke, and Pat Story.

Paul read the record of the February meeting.  No corrections.  Gary moved to approve; Mike seconded.

OLD BUSINESS:  County Septic Ordinance:  Patrice made copies of the county’s new ordinance so the Supervisors could study it.  We must adopt this ordinance as a township ordinance within one year of April 1, or we can give our jurisdiction to the county and go under their ordinance.  Glen asked Paul to find out if we can retain our own septic inspector and permit issuing under the county ordinance, or if we need to pass our own. Issue tabled until April meeting.

NEW BUSINESS:  County Tax-forfeited land sales:  Greg Beck sent a list and maps for two sales of lands in WilmaTownship.  One, a large parcel in Section 11, north of Jensen’s and west of the new Schmedeke Lane extension, to be auctioned off on Sept. 19, 2014.  Another list of parcels adjacent to public waters in Sections 8, 9, and 17, including our park land the town and state and county always believed we already owned.  The Legislature needs to rule on these, and will be auctioned in the next 3 -5 years.

Mike said he personally opposes the sale of any state or county public lands into private hands.  He said any tax benefit we may gain by having these properties back on the tax roles is offset by the loss forever of public-access hunting and fishing lands.  Pat Story said there is a finite amount of public land, and any sales decreases this.  Patrice said she agrees with Mike, that those lands that now are publically owned, either by the county or the state, should remain public.  Mike said another issue with the county’s proposed sale is that many of the parcels are landlocked, and this leads to a lot of lawsuits and hassles for the township so people can get easements through other people’s land to get to their landlocked parcels.

Glen moved to pass a resolution stating that because of the above reservations to losing public lands and for easement issues, that the Board of Supervisors of Wilma Township oppose any sales of county land in Wilma Township to private owners, with the sole exception of the north 20 acres of our park, which we believed we already owned, and which we want to receive for public access for our citizens by conveyance through an action of the Legislature and the Pine County Board of Commissioners.  Mike seconded.  Passed.  Paul will write to Greg Beck opposing the sales.  The Land Department letter states that if the township disapproves of these sales, they will be removed from the listings.  Paul will write to Beck.

Board of Reorganization:  Last year we held the board of reorganization at our April meeting.  The law according to the Township Association calendar states that the last date for this is March 31, and our board meeting this year is April 2.  Glen directed Paul to write to the township attorneys and get a decision whether we can hold our Board of Reorganization on April 2^nd.

Board of Equalization and Review:  Scheduled for Wednesday, April 23, at the town hall, 1 p.m., to challenge property assessments for 2015.

County Township Officers Spring Meeting:  At Hinckley American Legion on Saturday, March 29, 9 a.m.  Paul and Glen will attend the planning meeting tomorrow.

Spring Short Course:  At Black Bear Casino in Carlton on Friday, April 4.  Glen will drive a carpool.  We can make final plans at the April 2 board meeting.

Annual Town Meeting and Election:  Next Tuesday, March 11.  Polls open at 5 p.m., Board of Canvass at 8 p.m., and Annual Meeting following.  Toni Williamson is head judge, with Patrice and Barb Smith.

DNR Fire Warden Dinner:  The township got a notice asking for a RSVP for the Fire Warden dinner at the AskovCommunity Center on March 27, 5 p.m.  Joe Vink is our Township Fire Warden, and Gary said he already got the notice and will be going.

Green Burial Seminar:  New DoseyTownship is hosting a day-long seminar on green burials, either on ones’ own property or in the public cemetery, Friday, March 28, from 10 to 2, with a lunch break.  They ask people to bring sandwiches to share.

ROAD REPORT:  Ben gave the road report as Road Manager Mark Pallow couldn’t attend.  Ben said it has been a busy month for snow plowing.  There are no loggers active in the township at this time, and no new equipment issues.  Mark is researching what chains to get to replace the old chains.  Plus cables for the swing blade.  Mark took 3 days to get everyone plowed in the last big snowfall.  Gary said it took him 3 hours to do the town hall and fire hall parking lot and driveway. We’ve had 78” of snow so far, and 59 days below zero temperatures.

Town Hall Back Door:  Gary said that because of settling or some other reason, the door jams are not air tight any more, and we need to fix them.  Cold air is coming in.  Pat Story asked what is the status of getting a new town hall.  Paul said we found out that we do not own the land on either side of the town hall/fire hall; the boundaries are at the edges of the halls, so there is no room to either expand the existing hall, or build a new one.  Glen said there is a lot of sentiment towards keeping our old hall, and it has been adequate for pancake breakfasts, weddings, Fall Fests, and board meetings.

Eagle Head DNR/Fire Dept. Station:  Pat asked if there is interest in the fire department getting state bonding to replace the well and septic that MN Dot destroyed at the Eagle Head Station, which is now the Duxbury VFD Eagle Head Station.  Mike said no.  Pat said he is making progress on getting some grants for the fire department.  He is corresponding with Shane Chatlain, who is in charge of the tower and tower building.  Pat said all his experience with state contracts is that they gave 20 year leases, but Shane insists they can only give the Duxbury VFD a 10 year lease.  Mike said this will influence any decisions to upgrade the pole barn or buildings.  They took out the heater that was in the side garages we would like to heat.

TREASURER’S REPORT AND CLAIMS:   Patrice gave the Treasurer’s Report (attached).  Bills were presented:

Paul (expenses)                                           $             10.00

MN Benefit Association (Life Insurance)                229.00

Bob Brewster                                                       1,529.00

ECE                                                                          61.37

Patrice (expenses)                                                     13.86

Gary (plowing)                                                        150.00

Glen                                                                          28.39

Patrice                                                                     242.88

Mark Pallow                                                           494.54

Gary                                                                          67.87

Mike                                                                          24.94

Paul                                                                         145.91

Ben Glocke                                                                34.63

Total Bills                      $        3,032.33

Mike moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report, and to pay all the claims, and to transfer $3,000 from savings into checking.  Gary seconded.  Glen moved to adjourn and meeting; Mike seconded.  Meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.                  Paul Raymond, Clerk

WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING,  FEBRUARY 5, 2014

          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, and Grader Operator Ben Glocke.

Paul read the record of the January meeting.  Glen said that in the discussion regarding plowing the Vink Road to allow T&T Logging access to their wood, Supervisor Gary Vink had recounted problems with T&T in the past, damaging roads, and this was not in the record.  With this correction, Mike moved to approve the record; Gary seconded.  Passed.

BOARD OF AUDIT:  The Supervisors examined and compared the financial records of the Treasurer and Clerk for 2013 and Schedules 1, 9, and investments.  Glen moved to approve both sets of records; Gary seconded.  The Board of Audit signed the Statements of Receipts, Disbursements, and Balances, Schedule 1.

OLD BUSINESS:  Schmedeke Lane Extension:  No action, since Eldon Schmedeke is not able to attend the meeting.  Eldon has indicated that he has the money to purchase the strip of County land bordering the Schmedeke Lane Extension, a requirement of the County before they will authorize upgrading the road for adoption as a township road.  He has said that when things are less hectic for him, he will sign the agreement and purchase the land.  The County then will authorize WilmaTownship to expend $10,000 to build up the road and repair the culvert to County specs, and to adopt the extension as a township road, no strings attached.

Cigarette License:  At last month’s meeting Glen moved to approve the license for the Duxbury Store, but Gary had to recuse himself.  Since Mike was absent then, Glen re-moved that a cigarette license for the Duxbury Store be approved for 2014.  Mike seconded; passed.

NEW BUSINESS:  March 11, 2014 Election:  Gary moved that Toni Williamson be appointed Head Judge for the election, to serve with Patrice Winfield and Barb Smith.  Polls open from 5-8 p.m.  Paul will prepare the ballots and roster.  Gary and Paul filed affidavits of candidacy.  Judge training for the fall elections is June 19 for the Clerk, and August 6 and 7 for judges.

March 11 Annual Town Meeting Agenda:

The Board discussed several requests for financial support:

Seven County Senior Federation:  They are asking for a renewal of WilmaTownship’s service contract for 2014.  Last year the voters authorized the contract and a $100 donation.

Pine County Historical Museum:   Last year, the voters authorized a donation of $1 per citizen in WilmaTownship.  We have 71 people.

Old School Arts Center:  Last year voters approved a $100 donation to the OSAC, but at a later meeting, the Board rescinded this and voted to not give a donation.  Since then the OSAC had to close temporarily, but a Duluth physician has purchased the old school and has agreed to lease the OSAC museum and office space.  Their grand re-opening art show is March 21.  They are requesting a $100 donation for 2014.

North Pine Area Hospital District:  The district is moving forward to building a new 9-bed hospital on the grounds of the old SandstoneAirport, with an access road by the Victory Station near the freeway.  Ron Osladil is requesting that WilmaTownship reconsider joining the district.  It would mean an annual assessment of $30 per $100,000 property value.  Gary said one reason the voters rejected joining the district originally was that there was no guarantee that this assessment couldn’t increase.  Paul said that they have since then set a limit on any increases, plus they must be approved by all the members.

Mike moved that we not put the N. Pine Area Hospital District on the agenda for the annual meeting.  Our board and our citizens have voted several times not to be part of the district in the past.  Gary seconded.  Passed.

Mike moved that we do put on the agenda the three requests for funding:  The Seven County Senior Federation, the PineCountyHistoricalMuseum, and the OldSchoolArtsCenter.  If approved, the three would total $271.  Gary seconded.  Passed.

Proposed Budget for 2015:  Glen moved that we keep the same budget and levies for 2015 as 2014.  Gary seconded.  Mike moved that we keep the same wages for 2014 as we had in 2013, no increases.  Gary seconded.  The proposed levies and wages will be presented to the voters at the annual meeting, although the Board has final vote on wages at the Board of Reorganization.

Snowplowing:  This year has been especially severe, with several plows.  Last year and other years, we have had as few as one.  Discussion on whether we need to increase the rates for 2014.  Mike said we need to remember the taxes our people have paid to purchase and maintain the grader and to pay the grader operators.  Mike said that the Board agreed when they purchased the first grader that it would be used to take care of our citizens, and at first snowplowing was free.  When we were required to charge citizens, it was $10 per season, and has risen to $75 and $100. Mike moved that we continue with the $75 seasonal fee, $100 for drives over 700 feet.  He also moved that longer drives, over 1,000 feet, be charged $175 per season, up to ½ mile.  Over ½ mile, to charge $350 per season.  There is one drive off of Eagle Head Road that is well over 1,000 feet.  Glen seconded.

ROAD REPORT:  Ben gave the road report for Mark Pallow.  They plowed 3-4 times.  The replaced the blade on the grader.  The side cable broke and they will need another cable.  Ben said we should get a battery maintainer to keep the battery always charged and ready on these very cold days.  Mike moved that Ben and Mark be authorized to purchase a battery maintainer.  Gary seconded.  Passed.  Ben said the grader will need tire chains for next season.  The propane heater in the grader bay of the fire hall went out, and may have been out for two days.  Federated Propane came out as an emergency call and repaired it.  Ben said he didn’t think it got so cold that the fire truck lines froze.  Patrice said we got a propane delivery on January 28.  There is a shortage of propane, and some rationing. It’s over $5 a gallon now, but we still have some prebuy at $1.49/gallon.

Mike said that the Board has approved paying the Road Manager Mark Pallow for attending meetings and giving road reports, and if Ben is substituting for Mark, Ben should be paid as well.  Mike moved that Ben or Mark be paid for one hour for attending board meetings and giving road reports, $15.00.  Gary seconded.  Passed.

Board of Review and Equalization:  The CountyAssessor has set the date as Wednesday, April 23, 2014, at 1 p.m.

Federal Mileage Rate:  It is now $.56/mile for 2014.

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

Paul (expenses)                                 $          10.00

Patrice (expenses)                                         20.87

Security Life (1^st qtr. Dental)                      426.48

Federated Propane                                                 85.00

Gary Vink (plowing)                                    60.00

ECE                                                              61.31

Ben Glocke                                                   48.48

Mike                                                             33.25

Paul                                                            170.85

Mark                                                           426.66

Glen                                                              33.14

Toni Williamson                                           46.17

Patrice                                                        201.32

Gary                                                           111.28

Total Claims:       $      1,734.81

Mike moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report and to pay all the claims, and to transfer $1,700 from savings into checking.  Gary seconded.  Passed.  Gary moved to adjourn the meeting.  Mike seconded.  Meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.

Paul Raymond, Clerk

WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING,    JANUARY 2, 2014

          Chairman Glen Williamson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. at the hall with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Also present:  Supervisor Gary Vink, Treasurer Patrice Winfield, Clerk Paul Raymond, Road Manager Mark Pallow, and Jeff and Jean Grand Pre and Ben Glocke.

Paul read the record of the December meeting; Gary moved to approve; Glen seconded.  Paul had made one correction:  Vink Road, not Mink Farm Road, for T&T activities.

OLD BUSINESS:  Schmedeke Lane Resolution and Agreement:  The Board adopted the resolution to adopt the Schmedeke Lane extension as part of our existing township road.  The Board signed an agreement to present to the county accepting the County’s terms in their entirety, in return for the County contracting WilmaTownship to build up the road and culvert, up to $10,000, with no further demands on the County.  They want Eldon Schmedeke to also sign the agreement, and to purchase the strip of county land bordering the extention for $5,650.    Auditor Cathy Clemmer said not to record the road or send the agreement until the County gets his check.

ROAD REPORT:   T&T Logging Activity on Vink Road:  T&T Logging called Paul, Glen and Mark to request that the township snowplow the full length of the Vink Road so they can have access to their wood and chip wood.  Greg Beck of PineCounty also called to ask that we support T&T and the county on the access.  Mark only plowed as far as Rick and Barb Smith’s as there are no residents beyond that.  Glen asked Mark if he would have plowed further without T&T’s request, and how much extra it will cost to plow the full length of the road.  Mark estimated one hour.  Glen said we should deduct this from T&T’s escrow account.  Mark said he has worked hard to build up a positive relationship with T&T and other loggers and they are cooperating with road inspections and are calling him, and he does not want to jeopardize this.   He said he does plow other township roads that have no residents, such as the South Duncan Road. Glen deferred to the Road Manager and did not move to charge T&T for the plowing.

Snowplow Blades:  Mark said that now when he needs to replace a plow blade like the cutting edge he has to make a special trip to Little Falls Machine.  He asked the board to authorize him to pre-buy grader blades that he could pick up on his trips to his son’s, which would avoid the $147 mileage bill.  Gary moved that Mark be authorized to buy grader blades and all necessary hardware ahead of time and to have Little Falls Machine bill us.  Blades are around $300.

Grader Assistant:  Mark said he would like the town to hire Ben Glocke as assistant grader operator.   He has had difficulty reaching Frank Rehberger, who plows and grades for New Dosey.  Patrice said she will need to copy Ben’s driver’s license and get his SS info.  Glen asked Ben standard interview questions, especially about his traffic and driving record.  It is good.  Gary moved and Glen seconded that the town hire Ben Glocke effective immediately as grader assistant at our standard rate, $15 hour.

NEW BUSINESS:  MAT Resolution Proposal:  Glen moved that Wilma adopt a Resolution in Support of a Comprehensive Omnibus Transportation Finance Bill that was proposed at the MATState Convention.  They want towns to forward their resolutions to MAT to present to the Transportation Committee and the legislature.  Paul will send it in, plus a copy to Rep. Tim Faust.

Cigarette License:  Glen moved that Wilma grant the Duxbury Store a cigarette license for 2014.  Gary took the license for Joe to sign and to pay the fee.

Election Affadavits:   Candidates can file from today until January 14.  Toni will accept any applications after January 6.  Paul and Gary both filed for re-election at the March 11 election and annual town meeting.

Board of Audit:  Glen moved that we set the Board of Audit for February 5, as part of our regular board meeting.  Paul and Patrice will need to close out and reconcile their books and ledgers.  Gary seconded.

MAT Membership:  Glen moved that Wilma remains a member of the Minnesota Association of Townships and pay the dues of $336.62  Gary seconded.  Every township in PineCounty is a member, as are most others.

TREASURER’S REPORT AND BILLS:  Patrice gave the Treasurer’s Report (attached).  Claims were presented:

ECE                                                            $          53.87

Pine Co. Courier                                                    21.29

The Evergreen                                                        18.00

US Treasury (4^th Quarter withholding)                          437.70

Federated Propane                                                         208.41

Pine Co. Treasurer (Truth/Taxation)                      48.10

Patrice Winfield (expenses)                                    10.00

Pine Co. Association of Townships                     336.62

Duxbury Store                                                       50.00

Mark Pallow (mileage)                                         146.90

Bruno Deep Rock                                                898.70

GaryVink (expenses)                                             45.00

Paul Raymond (expenses)                                      29.87

Joe Vink (expenses)                                               35.00

Little Falls Machine                                              327.58

Paul                                                                      151.46

Patrice                                                                  112.67

Gary                                                                       84.50

Glen                                                                       47.33

Glen moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report and to pay all the claims, and to authorize Patrice to transfer any needed funds from savings into checking.  Gary seconded.

Gary moved to adjourn; Glen seconded.  Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

                                                          Paul Raymond, Clerk