WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING APRIL 4, 2012

WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING  APRIL 4, 2012 

          Chairman Glen Williamson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Supervisors Gary Vink and Michael McCullen, Treasurer Patrice Winfield and Clerk Paul Raymond were also present.

Paul read the record of the March board meeting.  Garymoved to approve; Mike seconded.  Paul read the Annual Meeting record from March 13th.  Mike moved to approve;Gary seconded.  Approved.

Tri-State Escrow:  The $500 escrow payment by Tri-State Lumber for work on theNorth Duncan Road bounced.  Glen moved that the Board direct Paul to send Tri-State a certified return-requested letter telling them not to return to our township until they have sent us a certified check for the $500 plus a $30 penalty.  We will tell them they have 10 days from the receipt of the letter to comply, or we will use all legal remedies.  They are not to remove any wood from our township until they pay.

County Officers’ Meeting:  Paul gave a short description of the speakers and subjects at the meeting inHinckley on Sat. March 31.  The two biggest issues relevant to our town is the high-speed railway from the Cities toDuluth and the attempted takeover of our hospital,PineMedicalCenter, by Essentia.  TheCountyOfficers passed a resolution to oppose this takeover and to support local control of our hospital, and to send letters to this effect to state, federal, and county officials.  Glen moved that the town board pass a similar resolution and communicate this to our commissioners and representatives and to Essentia and our local hospital board. Gary seconded.  Paul will write the letters.

FEMA Update:  Doug Stahl, Public Assistance Engineer with the State said on April 2 that they will start making payments in the next 3-4 weeks, when they’ll pay about 97%, and then the balance after we send our work completion forms and invoices.

Seven County Senior Federation Donation:  At the Annual Meeting, the voters approved sending the Federation a donation of $100 to enter into a contract for services to our seniors.  Mike moved that the Board approve this donation;Gary seconded.  Patrice has the contract and will send it.

Pine County Historical Society:  MN. Statute 138.053 says townships can make donations to county historical societies if they are approved by the state historical society.  The voters had approved a $1 per citizen donation for 2012, or $63 based on the last census. Gary moved that we send them $63 once we confirm that they are in fact approved.  Glen seconded.

Town Hall Addition:  The voters approved this project.  Mark questioned the soundness of our foundation.  Paul volunteered to solicit quotes and estimates from contractors, and Patrice agreed to work with the contractors to draw up a floor plan.  We will ask contractors to do an inspection of our foundation and draw up a feasibility study for the project and provide estimates or quotes.  Two builders we will contact are Glen Roberts and Melvin Elliot, Jr.

Dental Coverage for Officers:   The voters had voted to approve the town covering half of the cost of group dental insurance for township officers.  The board discussed who should be included, and what percentage the township would pay.  Mike moved that the township pay half of the cost of premiums for elected officers only, and that if appointed deputies wish to join the group plan, that they can pay the full premiums. Gary seconded.  The monthly cost per officer is $32.16.  Officers will pay their half, $16.31, at the monthly meetings.

Group Life Insurance:  The town has been covering officers for a minimum group-life policy for years.  Glen moved that we continue this and pay the premium, and that appointed deputies also be included.  Mike seconded.

Road Maintenance and Gravel:  Glen said that we will wait until the spring road inspection to determine what roads need gravel and work.  This will be in May, and the date can be set at the May meeting.

Board of Appeal/Equalization:  This is April 25 at 10 a.m.  Only Glen has been certified as a trained assessment supervisor.  His certification expires on Nov. 30, 2013. Gary said he will be trained at the summer short course on June 28 inCarlton and filled out the application.  At least two supervisors need to attend the Board of Appeal.

Election Judge Training:  For all judges, training is in Askov on June 13, from 1 – 3 p.m., or inHinckley on June 14 at the Community Center from 9 – 11 a.m.  Paul has to get extra training June 7 in Sandstone, or maybe at the summer short course.

Town Hall Tables:  Sue Koecher said thatSt. Paul’sLutheranChurch in Bruno may donate some folding tables for our town hall.  Mike asked us to see if they also have chairs they can donate.  If we get more tables, we will need more chairs.  We can use the benches, if necessary.

Spring Short Course:  This is Friday, 4/6 inCarlton.  Paul and Patrice will car-pool, and Glen and Toni will drive.  Toni is getting refresher training.

Satellite Internet:  Glen said he uses his computer and satellite connection for a lot of township business, especially with the clerk.  The clerk and treasurer both have their satellite connections subsidized by the town at $10/month, and Glen said we should extend this to any officer who uses his computer for significant township business and correspondence.    There was discussion, and a decision to table this until the annual meeting next March.

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

PineCo.Courier                                         $        37.60

ECE                                                                     52.14

The Evergreen                                                      52.00

Mark Pallow (expenses)                                       17.76

Glen Williamson (expenses)                                 33.30

Paul Raymond (expenses)                                    54.52

Barb Smith (judge)                                               40.00

Antoinette Williamson (judge)                             40.00

Patrice Winfield (judge/internet)                           52.50

Aspire (Township Website for 2012)                             210.00

U.S. Treasurer (1st Qtr. Withholding)                            318.34

Mn. Benefit Assoc. (life insurance)                      229.00

Seven County Senior Federation                          100.00

Mike McCullen                                                     38.21

Mark Pallow                                                         28.30

Paul Raymond                                                     356.64

Glen Williamson                                                  142.71

Frank Rehberger                                                  178.32

Gary Vink                                                            157.57

Patrice Winfield                                                    230.21

Total Bills                      $     2,369.12

Garymoved to pay all the claims, to approve the treasurer’s report, and to transfer $2,400 from savings into checking.  Mike seconded.   Glen moved to adjourn the meeting. Garyseconded.  Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Paul Raymond, Clerk

WILMA TOWNSHIP MARCH 7, 2012 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING

WILMA TOWNSHIP     MARCH 7, 2012 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING

           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,  and Clerk Paul Raymond.

          Paul read the record of the February meeting.  Patrice said the CD’s investments were taken from the Road and Bridge CD fund to a separate investments module.  With this correction, Glen moved to approve the record; Gary seconded.  Passed.

NEW BUSINESS:  General Fund:  Patrice said the General Fund is out of money and has a negative balance.  The Board discussed recommending increasing this fund for 2013, since it runs in the red.  For now, Glen said we can transfer $20,000 from the Road and Bridge Fund to the General Fund, to keep operating.  Patrice said $10,000 would be enough, so Glen moved that we transfer $10,000 from Road and Bridge into General.  Gary seconded.  Passed.

Danforth Township Claim:  The board reviewed Danforth’s claim for road work on the range line Eagle Head and Crooked Lake Roads.  Mike moved to approve payment of $2,342;  Gary seconded.  Passed.

Annual Meeting Agenda:  The Board reviewed the printed agenda.  Mike said he thought we had tabled the subject of a recognition plaque for significant township contributions, because of the possibility of old disputes surfacing, and resentments over who is or isn’t included.   Glen said he sees this as a healing tool, not a dividing one, and he suggested we make it a memorial plaque, to recognize all citizens who have passed, so there is no question of preference or discrimination.  We will present it to the voters this way at the Annual Meeting next week.

Pine Co. Township Officers Association Webpage:  Glen urged all board members with web access to go to the website for the association.  He reminded everyone of the meeting March 31 at the Hinckley American Legion Hall.  He said to sign up to receive E-blasts with Association news.  Paul said it will be an interesting meeting, with all the candidates and commissioners there, and reports from the Tribe and on the proposed high-speed railway.

ECE:  Glen said rates for ECE are going up 18 to 20%.

Board of Review:  The Assessor and Bob Brewster will be at our Town Hall on Wednesday, April 25, at 10 a.m.  We need at least two Supervisors present, and at least one needs to be certified.

Townhip Short Course:   The closest course is in Carlton at the Black Bear Casino April 6th.   They aren’t offering Board of Review training for Supervisors this year.  Glen asked Paul to call the county assessor’s office to see who is still certified.  Certification  is good for 4 years.  Gary said he would like to go, and Patrice said we can car-pool to Carlton.

Road Report for Annual Meeting:  Paul asked Gary if he could remind Road Manager Mark Pallow that he will need to give a road report at the meeting, explaining what roads got gravel and culverts or special work this past year.  Gary said he doesn’t keep records any more, but will tell Mark about the report.

Boards of Canvass and Reorganization:   At least two Supervisors are required to be at the Annual Meeting after the election to canvass and verify the election results.  Glen said they would receive an hours’ pay. We also need to schedule a Board of Reorganization.  Glen and Mike both said Sunday, March 25th, would work.  Meeting scheduled for 12:30 at the Duxbury Store to swear in Mike and set the wages for 2012.  Paul can be sworn in by Gigi Everett as she is an appointed, permanent clerk at Clover, if he is reelected.

Chain Pliers for Grader:  Mark bought a set of repair pliers for the grader chain, total cost $170.

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

ECE                                                  $           51.42

Patrice Winfield (expenses)                           58.06

NAPA Auto Parts (pliers)                          169.93

Danforth Township                                  2,342.50

Paul Raymond (internet)                                         10.00

The Evergreen                                               23.00

Mark Pallow                                               157.10

Glen Williamson                                            48.36

Patrice Winfield                                          119.83

Gary Vink                                                  107.56

Mike McCullen                                              29.72

Paul Raymond                                            115.11         

Total Bills                      $      3,232.59

Gary moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report, to pay all the bills, and to transfer $3,200 from savings into checking to cover them.  Mike seconded.  Mike moved to adjourn.  Glen seconded.  Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Paul Raymond, Clerk

WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF AUDIT AND BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING, FEB. 1, 2012

WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF AUDIT AND  BOARD  OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING,  FEB. 1, 2012

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

The Supervisors audited and compared the Clerk’s and Treasurer’s financial records for 2011, and the Cost Control Summaries.  Patrice said that starting in 2012, she will return the CD Investments to the Road and Bridge fund because listing them separately messed up the accounting.  Mike moved to approve both sets of records. Garyseconded.  Approved.

Glen moved to adjourn the Board of Audit and begin the regular Supervisors’ Meeting.  Mike seconded.  Passed.

Paul read the record of January’s board meeting. Garysaid theRochestersurveyor was not digging on thePete Anderson Roadwhen Mark stopped him, but on the County Road 24.  Mark prevented him from digging on our road without paying an escrow deposit. With this change,Garymoved to approve the record; Mike seconded.

Mike asked about the pressure check on the propane tank; he’s never heard of that.  He said the heat was left on in the town hall from the time of the January meeting until the Fire Chiefs’ Meeting, and that may have drained the tank.  It was already 65 degrees inside when he went to turn on the heat.  We need to ensure that the heat is turned off after meetings.

OLD BUSINESS:  FEMA Payments:  Bill Hirte, State Public Assistance Officer gave Paul an update on our payouts.  The storms in 2011 were numbered, and they’re working on #DR1982, the first storm, and will be sending out forms in three weeks.  The next storm was the Hennepin Co. tornado, and then our July1 wind storm, #DR4009.  Forms and reports for that will be sent out in 4 – 6 weeks, so it may be two months before we get paid.

Pine Co. Land, Planning, & Zoning Survey:  Kurt Schneider, the Land & Zoning Administrator, sent out a survey to all the townships asking about their current zoning ordinances, and asking if they would be interested in the county adopting a county-wide ordinance which towns could adopt or opt out of.  Steve Chaffee, our Commissioner, spoke at the Pine Co. Wanderer’s meeting last week and said the problem with many of the township zoning ordinances is enforcement; they don’t have enforcement capabilities, and the county could help with that.  Bob Brewster had given us a copy ofArnaTownship’s Comprehensive Plan, and Paul downloaded the guidelines from Mn. Assn. of Townships for towns who are considering adopting a zoning ordinance.  Glen said we should at a minimum have some kind of reporting mechanism so we know if people are building homes or outbuildings in our township, such as a simple $10 building requirement or registration, so we could inform our assessor of new construction.   Mike asked how we could enforce it?   We would have to post signs at our township boarders.  Mark said he is pretty much aware of any new construction from his duties as road manager, inspecting and grading the roads.  Patrice said she had to get a county building permit to build her home. Gary said that was because she is on the river.  Mike said our current policy is working well so far.  The board reviewed and answered the survey questions and Paul will submit it to Kurt Schneider.  The County septic ordinance will have to be updated by 2014 per the Mn. Pollution Control Agency, and township septic ordinances will need to conform by 2015.  Gail Kespohl wrote our ordinance and she will submit a revision by 2015.  We answered that we are happy with our own ordinance and inspector and do not want the county to handle it.  Glen said we need to stay on top of this zoning ordinance because they may try to pass it.  Look what happened to the junkyard ordinance:  By citizens staying on top of it, the County tried and failed to pass it twice.

Seven County Senior Federation Donation:  They want us to sign a contract with them for services, and for a donation of $300 or so.  Paul spoke to both Fran Levings and Cheryl Wickham about New Dosey’s and Arna’s donations.  Fran said they used to give $300 to both 7 County and to Family Pathways, but that this year they are experiencing a budget crunch and will likely give less.  Cheryl said Markville has given $240 a year before, but they are also hurting financially with the July 1 cleanup.  Patrice gave an overview of all the services the 7 County Federation provides, such as help applying for Medicare and for supplemental insurance for poor applicants.  She will bring information to the March Annual Meeting.  Glen suggested that we propose a $100 donation at the meeting.

Citizen Recognition Plaque:  Glen said he’s been shot down on this before, but he wants to bring up again the town having a plaque with the names of citizens who have given a lot to our township.  Ron McCullen’s recent death has rekindled the idea of acknowledging and recognizing all that past citizens have done.  We could propose one person a year, and add their names to an honor roll plaque, and give a smaller plaque to the families.  It could be limited to those who have passed on. Paul said New Dosey has a plaque with about 20 or so names, and we could nominate several to start.  So many people have served on the board and fire department and contributed to Duxbury Days and other township activities and projects.   Mike and Gary said this could be divisive and dredge up old controversies, if some are recognized and some aren’t. This can also be added to the agenda for the Annual Meeting March 13.

MAT Dental Insurance:  Paul brought the application forms and the plans offered:  Plus, Select, and Choice.  The main difference is the Plus Plan pays 50% of basic care like fillings and extractions and the other two pay 80%.  The Choice plan pays 100% for preventive cleaning, x-rays and exams, while the other two pay 80%.  The monthly cost for officers and employees is Plus: $26.25; Select: $29.25; and Choice:  $32.61.  There is a 1-year waiting period for major work and orthodontics.  The cost for a spouse doubles that.  All of the officers and employees present are interested in getting this insurance. Paul will find out from MAT how many townships pay their officers’/employees’ premiums, or part of them.  This is something that will be added to the Annual Meeting Agenda. We may propose that the town pay the employee premiums and the officers pay for any spouses or dependents, or that the town pay half of whatever the total premiums would be.  We would all have to be under the same plan. Gary moved and Mike seconded that we propose the Choice plan for all officers and employees.

NEW BUSINESS:  Proposed 2013 Budget:  The board reviewed a proposal for the Annual Meeting for 2013 levies and wages.  The only change from 2012 is the Building Fund.  Last year, the town voted to reduce the fund from $1,200 to $600.  Paul said that if we hope to build an addition to the hall that can be heated with a real kitchen and bathrooms, we should return it to the 2011 level.  The State requires that our Road and Bridge Levy be set at least to .04835% of the taxable market value of our town, to qualify for gas tax refund.  Wilma has a total 2011 Payable Certified Taxable Market Value of $30,013.300.00, so our Road and Bridge Levy has to be a minimum of $14,511.  We set ours at $16,000 last year, and are proposing the same for 2013.  All wages and snowplowing, etc., were left same as 2012.  The voters decide the levies, and we can include the Town Hall addition in the Annual Meeting Agenda.

Township Laptop:  Our computer has been giving trouble, refusing to shut down or boot up, freezing, etc.  Patrice ran the System Care program, but it still costs down time.  Glen said we can get a new laptop for a very low cost, $300 – $400, and we could clean ours up and sell it on Craigslist.  It has only been used for accounting.  No decision or proposal was made.

Tri-State Loggers: Gary said that Tri-State Logging is planning to start work on theDuncan Road.  He said in the past we had instructed the DNR to inform any loggers who get logging permits in our township that they are required to post a $500 escrow bond before they start any work.    The Board instructed Paul to write to the DNR and remind them of this requirement.

Deputy Treasurer:  Patrice requested that her sister Jenn be allowed to sit in on our next board meeting to review all the accounting and check-writing procedures, in case she needs to fill in for Patrice at a meeting.  This is paid at the bookkeeping rate, plus mileage.  Glen said she should probably get a refresher 3 times a year; Patrice said she believes it should be quarterly.  Mike moved that Jenn attend the March regular meeting for training. Gary seconded.  Passed.

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

Patrice Winfield (expenses)                        $           25.40

Paul Raymond (expenses)                                       10.00

Dennis Schlomke (culvert)                                   200.00

ECE                                                                        50.97

Pine Co. Courier                                                     16.92

Robert Brewster (2012 Assessments)                           1,518.00

Glen Williamson                                                     33.85

Patrice Winfield                                                    238.70

Paul Raymond                                                     194.36

Frank Rehberger                                                  195.31

Gary Vink                                                            157.57

Mike McCullen                                                        33.97

Mark Pallow                                                        110.39 

Total Bills            $       2,785.44

Garymoved to approve the Treasurer’s Report and to pay all the bills, and to transfer $2,700.00 from savings to checking. Mike seconded.  Approved. Garymoved to adjourn the meeting; Glen seconded.  Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

Paul Raymond, Clerk