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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 2021 WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF REORGANIZATION AND SUPERVISORS’ MEETING

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 2021  WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF REORGANIZATION AND SUPERVISORS’ MEETING

Chairman Glen Williamson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.  with the  Pledge of Allegiance.  Also present: Supervisors Mike McCullen and Gary Vink, Treasurer Patrice Winfield, Clerk Paul Raymond, and Road Manager Alden Shute, plus Arna Supervisors Pam Berg and Jan Proffit.  Patrice made a pie and shared it with everyone before the meeting.

            BOARD OF REORGANIZATION:    Mike took the Oath of Office for Supervisor, Patrice for Treasurer. Mike nominated Glen Williamson to serve as Chairman; Gary seconded.  Passed.  Mike moved that Gary Vink be assistant Chair; Glen seconded; passed. Treasurer Patrice designated Northview as our bank of deposit. Mike moved that The Evergreen and Pine County Courier and the Town Hall and the township website be our notice-posting and publishing places.  Mike moved that the wages and salaries for 2020 as proposed at the March meeting be adopted:   Chairman $105/meeting (over three hours, $22.50/hour);  Supervisors,  $100/meeting (over three hours additional $20.00/hour);  Clerk and Treasurer $100/meeting. Special reports and paperwork  $18/hour.  Election judges $16/hour (including head judge).  Grader Operator $25/hour for grading and plowing; $20 hour for inspections and reports;  Assistant Grader Operator, $20; General labor $16/hour; Major mechanical work, $30/hour; Mechanic Assistant, $16/hour; Annual Meeting Moderator, $75/meeting; Out of town meetings, $150/full day; $100/half day. Mileage at Federal rate, now $.57.5/mile.  Hourly rate, Chairman $22.50; Supervisors $20 (Supervisor Labor $16/Hour) . Zoom meetings $20 per hour for all board members.   

            Mileage:  Federal rate for officers, judges, delegated township representatives, for judges training, township officers training, and association meetings, etc.  $.56/mi. For 2021. Gary seconded; passed.

             Monthly Board Meetings:    Glen moved that we meet the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in 2021/2022.  Gary seconded.                                                      

Township Donations:  Requests from OSAC, Family Pathways, Pine County Historical Association and Seven County Senior Federation for continued contracts. At 2018’s annual meeting, a total of $300 for all requests was approved by the voters for 10 years. Mike moved to give $75 apiece to each of them; Glen seconded.  Passed.

            Snowplowing 2021/2022:   Mike moved that we keep our private drive snowplowing rates for the 2021-2022 season the same as last year:  $75; Drives over 700′, $100;  1,000′ to ½ mile: $175/season; over ½ mile, $350.  Gary seconded; passed.

            BOARD OF SUPERVISOR’S MEETING:  March Meeting Record:   Paul read the record of the March 3 meeting.  Mike moved to approve; Gary seconded.

            ROAD REPORT:   Pete Anderson Range Line Road:   Arna Township Supervisors Jan Proffit and Pam Berg asked to speak about the invoice for road work on the Pete Anderson Road, to get clarification on the charges. Jan  said the copy she saw was so faint it could not be read, but it was for $1200 for ditching on Pete Anderson Road.  She said they were never contacted for approval for this project.  Alden said he took responsibility for that omission and will contact them from now on for major work.  Paul gave Cheryl the addendum to the old Arna Agreement that said Wilma would do all road work on Pete Anderson Road and bill Arna half. He said the invoice he sent Cheryl Wickham was very clear, so she may have made a copy that was faint. Paul apologized for misplacing his copy of the invoice he sent to Arna and will ask Cheryl to send him a copy. He will ask if Arna wants us to mow Pete Anderson Road or if they want to do it.  Alden  gave his report on plowing/grading, repairs, etc.   Alden inspected all roads for winter damage and bladed some roads but most were too wet.  We didn’t have too many frost boils this year.  Supervisor’s Road Inspection Meeting:   Date for inspection will be set at May 5 Board Meeting. Alden wants to put some gravel on some roads, to be finalized at the road inspection. 

            Jerry’s Roadside Mowing Bid:  Jerry Telker says his original bid of $1,000 to $1,500 will likely be lower depending on what roads we want done; closer to $550 – $750.  Mike moved that we hire Jerry’s Mowing to do our roads in 2021.  Gary seconded; passed.

            OLD BUSINESS: Escrow Accounts:   Patrice does not want to keep carrying over escrow accounts for long-completed road projects. Attached is a report of escrow accounts and roads they were for; some going back to 2013. Board decisions: T&T Logging was dissolved and the two Fornengo brothers formed a new company. The board directed Paul to contact the MAT Township Attorney about the $1,923.25 of their money we are holding, some for roads as long ago as 2009. Mark Sauter Logging, S. Duncan Road: He is still working on this project, so keep the escrow.  Carlson Timber, Schmedeke Lane;  return full $500 escrow.  Wermerskichen Timber: Gary said he remembers there was some damage 8 years ago. Mark Pallow was Road Manager then and no report of damages was given to Patrice or Paul. Gary moved to take their whole $500; Mike seconded.  Midwest Hardwood Corp.: S. Duncan Road.  Some damage was taken out in 2014; Glen moved to return the full balance of $276. Gary seconded.  Hayward Land & Logging, Tamarack Pine Drive, $500. Gary said he remembers there was some damage 7 years ago.  Gary moved to take their whole $500; Mike seconded. Patrice will put these escrow accounts into the regular R&B Fund.

            MAT Spring Short Course:  They were changed to online only.  All sessions were  free and are all still available on the MAT website, including downloads and power-points.   Supervisors Day 1:  Cyber security; Easiest Catch:  the Dark Net;   Weed Inspections & Noxious Weed Law;   Understanding Your Fire Department;  The Danger of Nature: Town Powers and Obligations with Noxious Weeds and Destructive Animals.  Clerks & Treasurers:  May – What a Typical Month in Clerking Looks Like?  “Treasurer 101;”  Junk Drawer of Questions & Technology Options.   All Officers Training: Special Meetings;   Personal Injury Claims Against the Town.

            Pine County Township Officers’ Meeting:   Was Saturday, March 27, 9 am at the Community Center, Hinckley, hosted by Wilma Township.  Four board members attended.  Good attendance with at least 50 officers and speakers and reports by Senator Jason Rarick and Representative Nathan Nelson,  County Attorney Reese Frederickson, County Auditor Kelly Schroeder, Caleb Anderson from Zoning and Septic; Commissioners Teri Lovgren and Steve Hallan, Brett Grundemeier from the DNR.

            NEW BUSINESS:   Board of Appeal/Equalization: For voters to appeal 2022 property tax assessments, will be Monday, April 12, 2019, 1 p.m. by Conference Call for County Assessor Lorri L. Houtsma and Supervisor Mike McCullen. Glen will have a speaker for his phone.  Wilma Assessor Bob Brewster will attend in person.  So far we have received no appeals.

            Garbage Pickup Increase:  The Tri-Township Disposal District Board has sent out a Notice of Proposal (attached).  They cannot refund payments on more than one parcel so are proposing restricting pickup to improved parcels only, with no refunds, at $80 per year, $3.08 per pickup day.  Our board has concerns that people who are used to having pickup after a weekend but who don’t have improved parcels will still put out their garbage and won’t know about the change.   Who picks up all this garbage, the county?

            Unemployment Accounts:  We are not being billed for unemployment this year so far, and may receive some help from the stimulus bill so we don’t have large payments if our appeals fail.  We won’t be billed until July.

            Application for Utility Permit on Vink Road by East Central Energy:  Starting at existing junction box on east side of road north 1,550 feet, 3 feet deep underground cable. Glen moved to approve the application but to ask for $1,000 escrow against any damage to the road.  Mike seconded.  Passed.  Glen and Alden signed the permit.

            3.2 Beer License for Duxbury Store:   Glen moved that Duxbury Store be given a beer license; Mike seconded; Gary abstained.  Glen and Paul signed the County permit and Gary will send it to the county.

             Treasurer’s Report and Claims:  Patrice gives the treasurer’s report.  Total bills for April are  $3,572.01. Total to transfer  from savings to checking, $3,500.00. 

040721WilmaTownshipTreasuresReportDownload

 Motion to Adjourn:    Mike moved to adjourn the meeting; Gary seconded.  Meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.

                        Report by Paul Raymond ___________________________________

Board of Review To Appeal Property Assessments for 2022 Taxes, Monday April 12, 2021

admin board of appeal

NOTICE

WILMA TOWNSHIP

Board of Review To Appeal Property Assessments for 2022 Taxes:

Monday, April 12

1 p.m. Wilma Town Hall, Duxbury

                                                                                                                                                            Paul Raymond, Clerk

WILMA TOWNSHIP ANNUAL TOWN MEETING MARCH 9, 2021

admin Annual Town Meeting

WILMA TOWNSHIP ANNUAL TOWN MEETING MARCH 9, 2021

Clerk Paul Raymond called the meeting to order at 8:15, following the township election and the Board of Canvass.  Nine citizens voted and Mike McCullen was re-elected Supervisor and Patrice Winfield was re-elected as Treasurer. Glen, Mike and Gary canvassed and approved the votes.   Twelve citizens attended the Annual Meeting: Mike McCullen,  Glen Williamson, Patrice Winfield,  Alden Shute,  Gary Vink, Stefanie Rahn,  Zachary Hanson, Ben Glocke, Rodney and Lauren Sorgaard, Kim Felton and Paul Raymond.

            Nominations for Moderator for the meeting: Gary nominated Glen Williamson; Ben seconded.  No other nominations.  Voice vote; Glen was elected and took the floor as moderator.

            Paul read the record of the March 2020 Town Meeting.  Gary wanted it in the record that one big reason he and others opposed Wilma joining the North Pine Area Hospital District was that they would not guarantee that the rates would not go up, and that if we were to join, we could never leave.  With this addition, Gary moved to approve; Ben seconded. Approved.

            Glen announced that Patrice Winfield was re-elected Treasurer for two years and Mike was re-elected Supervisor for three years, 9 votes each, no write-ins.

            Financial Statement:   Patrice presented the 2020 Wilma Township Financial Statement.  Patrice again broke down payroll and other compensation for officers to show what each officer is receiving in salary, and for other compensation like insurance, conferences, short courses, mileage, internet, and for judging elections. At the end of the year the township carried over a balance of $162,917.61 in all funds and CD’s.  Balance starting 2020: $161,128.18; receipts in 2020: $69,157.09  total revenues; disbursements: Payroll, $18,724.37, all others $48,643.29.   Mike made a motion to waiver reading of all checks.  Gary seconded, passed.  Gary moved to approve the report; Mike seconded, passed.

            Road Report:  Alden said the grader maintenance in 2020 was normal, with routine maintenance and greasing and oil changes, plus new tires.

            Lost River Road:  Gravel put down and bladed.

            Mona Drive:  Gravel.

            Culverts:  One on Dollar Lake Road; two culverts on Pete Anderson Road; one on Mayfield Road.

            All township roads were brushed, and Alden proposes having all of our roads mowed this summer.  He found a contractor who can do all 15 miles for $700- $1,000. He said mowed roads make grading a lot easier, to spread and grade gravel. Alden had no other major road projects planned for 2021 pending the board doing the road inspection in May.

            He said there will be no more plowing of private drives if we get more snow as they are too soft.  Gary moved to approve his report; Ben seconded.

            LEVIES AND BUDGET FOR 2022:  Township Funds:  Paul said the Board is not recommending any increases in any of our funds or levies for 2022.   Paul moved to keep the funds and levies for 2021 as proposed: R&B, $16,000; Building Fund at $5,000; the Fire Fund at $4,500; the Park Fund at $100; and the General Fund at $10,000. Mike seconded; passed.

            Wages for Reports, Moderator, Meetings, Judges, Mechanic, Grader Operator:   The Board has final say on wages at the Board of Reorganization.  No changes or increases proposed by the board, besides a new $20/hour rate for all officers for attending Zoom meetings with MAT or the County Commissioners’ meetings.  Patrice moved that wages, including election judging, be kept the same as 2020. Paul seconded, passed. Mileage: Glen said we’ve always used the federal rate, which is $.56 for 2021. Patrice moved that we continue to follow federal guidelines; Ben seconded; passed.

            Snowplowing:  No change was proposed for standard driveways, $75. Over 700’:  $100/season; 1,000 ft. to ½ mile: $175; Over ½ mile, $350. “Must have turnaround space.  No closed gates. No overhanging trees that can hit the grader.  Wilma Township not liable for inadvertent damages while plowing private drives. 2021-22 snowplowing fees due by Nov. 3, 2021.” Mike moved that snowplowing rates and policies remain the same for the 2021-22 season as this past season.  Patrice seconded.  Passed.

            FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT:  The Duxbury Volunteer Fire Department is a separate organization from the Town of Wilma, but every year our citizens pay the fire department $4,500 for fire protection and medical responses.  Chief Mike McCullen gave a report on responses and training drills in 2020 and on developments and status of the fire department, and projections for the future.  He said we had a relatively quiet year and our most critical need now is for volunteer responders and firefighters, especially in the satellite companies in Markville and Cloverton. 

            GARBAGE BOARD PROPOSALS:  The Tri-Township Garbage Board has assessed every property and parcel for garbage pickup, and if people had more than one parcel the tax assessment was refunded, currently at $36/year.  The County says they will no longer refund or rebate any assessments.  The Garbage Board is considering changing the policy to assess only improved parcels, but at $80 each to make up for the lost revenue from unimproved parcels.  Long discussion, including asking the board to continue assessing all parcels but letting people know there will be no rebates or refunds. Gary will bring all of our concerns up to the board at the next meeting, March 30. Patrice said she wants to be there.

            Wilma Fall Fest:   Fallfest was canceled last year.  Paul moved that the fund remain at $500 for 2021.  Patrice seconded.  Passed. We will  hold it this year on the fourth Saturday, October 23rd   and the Procrastinators are already booked but with a smaller band.  We usually pay them $300. Glen said we need volunteers to make it work.

            Donations to Old School Art Center, Pine County Historical Museum, The Seven County Senior Federation and Family Pathways:   In 2019 the voters voted to cap donations at $300 for all groups for the next 10 years. The Board of Supervisors has final authority on how to distribute these expenditures at the Board of Reorganization. Gary moved that we not support any groups in 2021.  There was no second.  Mike moved to continue the $300 total donations for 2021; Patrice seconded, passed. 

            Board of Reorganization:  The Board will hold the Board of Reorganization to swear in Mike and Patrice and to make decisions for the township on wages and notice and posting sites before the regular April 7th  board meeting.

            Board of Appeal and Review:  For taxpayers to appeal their property assessments for 2022 taxes, Monday April 12, 1 p.m., at the Town Hall. The county assessor and our assessor Bob Brewster will be there in person.

            Set Meeting Place and Time for 2020 Annual Town Meeting:  This is a formality, but is required. Patrice moved hold the next annual meeting the second Tuesday of March 2021 and to adjourn this meeting; Ben seconded.  Meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

_______________ _____________                ___________________________

Paul Raymond, Clerk                                           Glen Williamson, Chair and Moderator