WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING JULY 1, 2009
Chairman Glenford Williamson, Sr., called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Also present were Supervisors Gary Vink and Michael McCullen, Treasurer Patrice Winfield, Clerk Paul Raymond, and Wilma Township Assessor Robert Brewster.
OLD BUSINESS: Kelch Trailer: The Kelchs have assured the Township that they will move the trailer in the Crooked Lake Road right-of-way. We notified Jeff Shute from Danforth Township. As soon as their relative with the truck returns from Mississippi, they intend to move it.
Sale of Old Grader Blade: Mark didn’t get any information yet on selling the old blade.
Town Hall Siding: We do not have any estimates yet on the bid for siding for the Town Hall.
Fire Hall Heating Costs: Mike said that at the Fire Department business meeting, the subject of Wilma’s billing the Fire Department for half the cost of heating the Duxbury Fire Hall was discussed, and that if Wilma goes through with this, the other townships will also be forced to bill the Fire Department for their heating, and the Fire Department will have to pass on this increased cost to the towns in the fire protection fees, so there will be no benefit to the towns. Currently all townships pay the full cost of heating their fire halls. Gary said this opens up a can of worms, and he moved that his motion to bill the Fire Department for half the cost of heating the hall be rescinded and that we do not bill the Fire Department. Glen seconded. Passed.
T & T Logging Damages: We have not received a response from T & T for our billing them for the damages they caused on the South Duncan Road. We have started the process of repairing the North Duncan Road where the grader got stuck. That road also needs gravel at Alan Thiry’s place.
NEW BUSINESS: Exempt Parcel Appraisals: Bob Brewster said that every six years he is required to appraise exempt parcels in our townships (exempt means government owned properties and parcels like the St. Croix Boys Camp which are exempt from property taxes). Wilma Township has 278 non-exempt parcels and 57 exempt parcels. In any one year, Bob actually surveys one-fifth of the non-exempt parcels, or 56, so his workload will double this year. He also personally surveys any parcels over $100,000 every year, and any incompletes, and new construction, anyone who has a complaint about their assessments, and any classification changes. He proposed an increase of $627 for this one year for his 2010 township assessments, which is considerably less than if he charged the full-parcel rate. Mike moved that the Board accept Bob’s proposal for 2010 of $2,156, which would be $627 over our usual annual rate. Gary seconded. Bob had a contract for our 2010 assessments and the Board signed it.
Town Hall Rental: Gary had a request from the Grand family, Brian Vink’s former in-laws, requesting the use of the Town Hall for a wedding anniversary. Gary said we used to charge $50 for use of the hall; Glen thought $100 would be more appropriate now. Mike moved that we ask the Grands for $75 and that they sign a waiver releasing the Township from all liability, and that they clean the Town Hall when they are done. Glen has sample liability waivers he will get to Paul so he can write up a contract. Gary will get Paul the address.
P.I.L.T. Payments: Mike said other town’s Supervisors told him they are getting up to $12,000 from the county for logging activities in their townships. Patrice said that we have been getting about $1,200. Gary said that before the new law was enacted increasing the payments counties had to give townships, that they pushed through a lot of logging contracts so they wouldn’t have to pay the new fees. Paul said he will call the Auditor and see why other townships are getting so much more than we in their Payments in Lieu of Taxes.
August Town Meeting: Paul and Mike will both be on vacation the first week of August. Mike moved that we change the August meeting from August 5 to August 12, and that Paul post and publish this. Gary seconded.
Cooperative Purchasing Venture: The State of Minnesota Materials Management Division sent our renewal for participation in the Cooperative Purchasing Venture. Mike moved that we renew; Glen seconded. Glen and Paul signed it.
Two Creeks Campground: Glen said that Two Creeks has a scheduled event with 400-500 people the week of July 15 – 19. Glen said he will send a formal notice to the Township and the Fire Department, as he always does.
Treasurer’s Report and Bills: Patrice gave the Treasurer’s report (attached). Bills were presented.
Federated Propane (tank rental) $ 10.65
US Treasury (3rd quarter withholding) 445.24
Joe Vink 19.25
Patrice Winfield (ink cartridge) 56.19
Pine Co. Treasurer (Assessments) 323.00
Paul Raymond (stamps) 8.40
E.C.E. 54.68
Mn. Association of Townships (Patrice Short Course) 40.00
Mn. Asssociation of Twps. (Glen and Gary tuition) 80.00
Duane Glienke 65.00
Patrice Winfield 78.50
Gary Vink 115.44
Paul Raymond 110.82
Glen Williamson, Sr. 16.16
Mike McCullen 41.56
Total Bills $ 1,464.00
Glen moved to approve the Treasurer’s report and to pay all the bills, and to transfer $1,500 from savings into checking. Mike seconded.
Glen brought up the possibility of bringing high speed internet to Duxbury, through a wireless antenna. He would need subscribers to make it cost-effective.
Mike moved to adjourn; Gary seconded. Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Paul Raymond, clerk