Wilma Township Board of Supervisors Meeting, January 6, 2010
(Record Amended February 3, 2010)
Chairman Glenford Williamson, Sr. called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Also present: Supervisors Gary Vink and Michael McCullen, Treasurer Patrice Winfield, Clerk Paul Raymond, and Scott Quady, Eldon and Marjorie Schmedeke, and, briefly, Grader Operator Mark Pallow.
Paul read the record of the December, 2009 meeting. Gary moved to approve; Mike seconded.
Patrice asked that the Board approve her voiding the last 15 of the old pre-CTAS checks, so she could start the new year using only computer printed checks with the CTAS program. Mike said we don’t need a motion for this, and the board has no problem with her doing that.
OLD BUSINESS: Schmedeke Road Meeting: Glen gave a report of the meeting at Schmedeke Lane on December 21. All three Supervisors from Wilma attended either or both the meeting at the road and/or at the store. Also present were County Commissioners Curt Rossow, Steve Hallan, Steve Chaffer, and Ed Montbriand, County Surveyor Robin Matthews, County Coordinator Mark LeBrun, County Crew Chief Cliff Jones, County Attorney John K. Carlson, and landowners Bruce and Merle Greenly and Eldon Schmedeke. The group looked over Schmedeke Lane and surveyed the land for about 1 ½ hours, and then moved to the Duxbury Store to discuss the issues and solutions, because there was no coffee at the town hall. Schmedeke Lane will remain where it is, although the County has claimed that it is not on the originally surveyed section line, but approximately 60 feet west. The big conflict that remains is Eldon’s request from the County to purchase a strip of land two 40’s long (2,640 feet) by 132 feet wide so he can extend Schmedeke Lane to reach his land, but without having an open public bid for this land. The County is willing to sell the first 40 that way, but not the second, but there could be a special session of the legislature to allow this. Robin Matthews said he found an official government finding that he says cannot be changed. Glen said that the Commissioners and Co. Attorney said that possibly the Jensens can be given a few acres of County land on the north end of their property to compensate them for the land they believe they lost to Schmedeke Lane, but this will have to be settled by them with the county, and they will still have to deal with the Greenlys for access to their land. Eldon said that 20 years ago the county was willing to sell him the length of 3 40’s, or one mile, but they had a stipulation that they could close the road at any time, and he would not sign that. He has a drawing from 20 years ago showing where he was going to put the road. He doesn’t understand why, if he can build a road on the first 40, why he can’t on the second 40. He said the County effectively took 12 acres of his land, and he just wants his own property back. He felt that the Supervisors were agreeing with the County on the second 40, and he wanted them to side with him so that the road can be a straight road instead of zagging off crookedly. Glen said that the board did endorse and send Eldon’s recommendation to the County Commissioners, but that the consensus is that this is now between Eldon and the County, and the board can’t do anything more. Eldon said that the North Duncan Road is on the official section line and that it was surveyed, even though Robin Matthews says it never was. Glen said the board would sign a petition to have a private sale if he wanted. Eldon closed by saying that this issue is not over.
Snowplowing: Gary asked Paul to bill Arna and New Dosey for plowing the town line roads for the Christmas storm, plus escrow deductions: New Dosey, December 26, ½ hour plowing, $75, New Dosey’s half $37.50. Arna, 1 hour, $150, Arna’s half $75; Mona Drive, Dan Emmerfol’s escrow account, ¼ hour, $37.50; Lost River Road, Leighton Quinn’s escrow, ¼ hour, $37.50. Danforth is still plowing Crooked Lake and Eagle Head Roads. Glen moved that we continue the agreement with Danforth Township; Mike seconded.
PERA: Gary said that after he researched PERA to substitute for Social Security he felt it is not a good deal. Gary, Glen, Mike, Patrice and Paul all declined to enroll in PERA for 2010.
NEW BUSINESS: North Pine Rider’s Road Permit: Scott Quady presented a request from the snowmobile club for a permit for the club to groom and use the rights-of-way on Wilma Township roads. Glen moved to approve the request; Mike seconded. Scott asked that the township not plow the Vink Road past the last house. He said the plow is scraping off the snow all the way to the gravel. He also requested that the town not plow the Mayfield Road. Gary said we have cabin owners all the way at the end of the road. We don’t plow their private drives, but we do plow our road so they can reach their drives. Scott asked if the plow could just leave a little snow on these roads and the Duncan Road, so that snowmobilers can use these roads. Gary said he will talk with Mark so this can be done.
Township Cartways: Mike said he spoke with the County Commissioners about people gating off old Township Cartways, and they told him that if the township posts cartways as Minimum Maintenance Roads they will remain township roads without having to do maintenance on them.
Pine Co. Soil and Water Conservation District Meeting: We had a notice of a meeting on January 30 for county and township officials on road maintenance and wetlands and waterways. We could not find the notice but Paul will call the District office and find out the time and location and tell them that we intend to attend, and then call Eldon and the Board. Glen moved that any township official who wishes to attend be allowed to. Mike seconded.
Fire Department: Mike said the fire department needs to buy some diesel fuel from the township. Glen said that they should take what they need and give Patrice a record so she can make a claim; she is treasurer of both organizations. The next fire training is Tuesday at Duxbury; Mike will give the time on the pagers.
Treasurer’s Report and Bills:
Patrice gave the Treasurer’s Report (attached). Bills were presented:
Pine County Courier $ 39.48
Eggan’s Bulk Service (diesel) 777.21
Patrice (mileage) 19.80
U.S. Treasury (4th qtr. Taxes) 277.02
Pine Co. Auditor, Truth/Taxation 39.45
Pine Co. Assn. Of Townships (dues) 327.70
Glen Williamson (mileage) 3.30
Duxbury Store 20.00
Joe Vink (Contract Plowing) 225.00
The Evergreen 6.00
Mike McCullen 55.41
Mark Pallow 214.26
Gary Vink 152.38
Patrice Winfield 117.74
Total Bills $ 2,429.38
Mike moved to pay all the bills and to approve the Treasurer’s Report and to transfer $2,450 from savings into checking. Gary seconded. Gary moved to adjourn the meeting; Glen seconded. Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Paul Raymond, Clerk