Chairman Glen Williamson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Also present: Supervisors Gary Vink and Mike McCullen, Treasurer Patrice Winfield, Clerk Paul Raymond, Road Manager Alden Shute, Stan and Tracey Riley, and Stefanie Williamson. November Meeting Record: Paul read the record of the November 3rd meeting. Mike moved to approve; Gary seconded.
ROAD REPORT: The chains and wings are on the grader and Alden is ready for snow. Alden found two barricades for Tamarack Pine Drive; he can’t find one base but is looking.
Eagle Head Road Culvert/Beavers: Alden had Hopkins Gravel dig the ditch out with a backhoe much deeper than it was. He found the grates on the culvert and reinstalled them.
Mowing: Alden talked with Doug Witta who said Arna uses Jason Fornengo for mowing. Alden wants to attend one of their board meetings and see how pleased they are with Fornengo and what he charges.
OLD BUSINESS: Country Store and More: Stan Riley’s new business, Country Store and More now is set for getting a liquor license. The board had adopted a resolution to petition the county to put up a stop-ahead warning sign and a 35 mph speed limit sign on Tamarack River Road and Paul wrote to Mark LeBrun the county engineer. Then Glen found that there is already a stop-ahead sign, so Paul corrected the request to ask them to add a 35 mph speed limit sign to the stop-ahead sign. LeBrun said they cannot do it as the mileage rate on rural county roads is 55 mph.
County Meetings for Broadband: Commissioner Terry Lovgren asked us to participate in a meeting about increasing broadband internet access in our county. Meetings were Monday, November 15 and Monday, November 22. Paul attended the first meeting. For meeting recordings, notes, and links to voting visit the Pine County BBC webpage: https://blandinfoundation.org/articles/pine-county-blandin-broadband-community/
On November 19, the East Central Energy (ECE) Board of Directors voted to move forward with developing a plan for fiber to the home. “Our completed feasibility study has indicated that with the appropriate funding from grants and other sources, it is reasonable for ECE to provide fiber throughout our service territory. ECE will be spending the next few months putting together a comprehensive plan for the businesses and residents in our 14-county service territory. Upon completion, our board will make a final determination on the overall project. The plan will be designed based on fiber only and will lay out a phased approach for a project that could cost as much as $300M.”
NEW BUSINESS: Winter Septic Inspections: Caleb Anderson sent the winter rules for septic systems: “With the onset of normal winter weather conditions the policy of the Pine County Planning, Zoning & Solid Waste is to operate very tentatively on issues relating to septics. Wet or frozen soil conditions are not conducive to soil evaluations or system installations. The County requires 24-hour notice to the Pine County Planning, Zoning & Solid Waste Department before starting sewer construction. Please make sure to contact us prior to construction to discuss if the weather will allow construction. Per MPCA guidance, construction may be acceptable for holding tanks and in-ground systems. Construction of mounds is not acceptable during winter conditions without pre-approved frost mitigation strategies. We will continue issuing septic permits as weather and system design allows.”
Board of Review and Equalization: Will be Monday, April 11, 2022, 1 p.m. at the Hall. Lori Houtsma and Bob Brewster will be there. Will be posted.
Elections: Mike moved to designate the Wilma Town Hall as our polling place for 2022; Gary seconded; passed. Filing dates for the March 8, 2022 Election: December 28 – January 11, 2022. Glen and Paul are up for re-election in 2022. Paul will bring affidavits to the January meeting. Patrice will be the head judge, and Stefanie said she would judge. Gary is also trained. Tracy said she would gladly judge and Paul said he can train her if he needs her.
Treasurer’s Report and Claims: Patrice gave treasurers’ report: Total bills for December, $3058.20. Total to transfer, $3,000. Mike moved to approve her report and to transfer the funds. Gary seconded. Mike moved to adjourn the meeting; Gary seconded. Meeting adjourned at 8:30
