WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING, JULY 3, 2013
Chairman Glen Williamson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Also present were Supervisors Gary Vink and Mike McCullen, Treasurer Patrice Winfield, Clerk Paul Raymond, Road Manager Mark Pallow, and Eldon and Marg Schmedeke and Eric Ternes. Paul read the record of the June meeting. Mike moved to approve; Gary seconded. Approved.
OLD BUSINESS: Mayfield Road Access: Eric took the floor to appeal the letter the township had sent him regarding the gate he put up over the old right-of-way on the west end of Mayfield Road at Crooked Lake Road. He said he put the gate up because of numerous problems with trespassing on his land from the old Mayfield Road, including hunters and snowmobilers. Mike said the township’s concern is liability if anyone should be injured hitting the gate. He said our township’s policy is never to vacate or abandon old rights-of-way so that the public has access, future landowners not be landlocked, and to preserve our road rights for future generations. Mike said Eric could post no trespassing signs on the corners of his land, which would make any trespassing illegal and legally enforceable. Eric said signs he has put up have been destroyed. Mike said he could gate all the trails and roads into his land, but Eric said he has 12 different access points. He asked about the fence Roger Nelson has put over Crooked Lake Road. Sometimes there are as many as 150 deer in Thunder Meadow, and people trespass to see the deer. Mike said we are only dealing with one road at a time, and since Crooked Lake Road is a range-line road, any decisions or action on it would involve three townships.
Glen said the township acted on the advice of the township attorney, and we want to settle this amicably. Mike said we could talk with our attorney about the extent of our liability with the gate, and if leaving it unlocked would limit our liability. Gary said we have had no problems with the gate or with that road up to now. The board directed Paul to contact the township attorneys about our liability. Glen said we will not enforce the letter for now, but Eric needs to acknowledge that the old Mayfield Road remains a public township right-of-way.
Schmedeke Lane: Eldon said he went to the Pine County Board of Commissioners to explain what he thinks is right for Schmedeke Lane, focusing on straightening the bend in the road and ditching the top of the hill with a 26 foot base. He told them the road needs to be built up to county standards. The entire extension needs class 5 gravel over the base. Eldon said he had assurances in the past from John Stevens and Greg Bennett that they would build the road to specs all the way. Eldon had a list of his recommendations and requirements for this road, and he will write them up clearly to present to the board, for the board to present to the county. Glen told Eldon the board backs and supports him 100%; whatever he eventually determines to be the final minimum standards for Schmedeke Lane, the board will present to the county commissioners as our requirements to take over the road.
Short Course Report: Gary, Patrice and Paul all attended the morning workshop, a jeopardy game on township issues: roads, resolutions, audits, town debts, and other issues. In the afternoon, Gary was in the supervisors’ session on bridges: Bridges can include culverts of 10’ diameter or two 4’ diameter culverts within 2’ of each other, and can be eligible for state bridge funds up to $20,000. Wilma only has one culvert that is considered a bridge, on Heller Drive. Paul and Patrice had workshops on clerk/treasurer duties. Much focus was on records retention laws. They are releasing a new version of CTAS which will not be free; they need $300 from each town to finance writing a whole new revision. The fees must be paid by December 15, 2013, and the program will be available the next December.
Invoice for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Project: Mike worked with Mark to draw up an invoice for the work he did on Mayfield Road to rip-rap and build up the edge of the culvert. Paul will send it to FEMA so that all our fund balances can be released, over $900.
NEW BUSINESS: Road Report: Gravel was spread on Vink Road (2 18 ton loads); Mayfield Road (5 loads); Little Tamarack Lake Road (4 loads); Mona Drive (5 loads); Eagle Head Road, 2 loads; Dollar Lake Road, 5 loads; N. Duncan Rd., 4 loads; and S. Duncan Road, 2 loads.
Crooked Lake Road Ditch Repair: Hopkins Gravel has given a proposal to fill in the ditch with 52 C.Y. gravel; install fabric 12’ x 180’, and line the ditch with 3”-8” rock, with an option to remove the culvert and add 25’ of fabric and rock. The total proposal is $2,960, plus another $400 for the optional additional work, total $3,760. Mark said Jeff Shute agreed that Danforth will pay half of this work. Glen said Mark needs to get Jeff’s signature affirming this before the work starts.
Assessor Contract: Mike moved and Gary seconded to sign a contract with Bob Brewster to do Wilma’s 2014 property assessments, 278 non-exempt parcels at $5.50 each, $1,529.00. Passed and signed.
Duxbury Road: The County built up Duxbury Road at the low spot by Keene Creek 18”. Glen thanked Eldon for his tireless efforts to get the county to remedy the flooding issue on this road.
Treasurer’s Report and Bills: Patrice gave the Treasurer’s Report (attached). Claims were presented:
ECE $ 59.97
Patrice (expenses) 87.00
Paul (expenses) 10.00
Mark (expenses) 31.64
U.S. Treasury (2nd quarter) 653.80
MN Assn. Townships (tuition) 100.00
MN Assn. Townships (Gary tuition) 50.00
Bob Nadeau (mileage) 19.78
Mike McCullen (expenses) 63.00
Pine Co. Recorder 92.00
Mark Pallow (expenses) 360.00
Mike McCullen 58.18
Mark Pallow 267.35
Glen Williamson 33.14
Gary Vink 200.40
Patrice Winfield 185.63
Paul Raymond 252.11
Total Bills $ 2,461.00
Mike moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report; pay all the bills, and to transfer $2,500 from savings into checking. Gary seconded. Mike moved to adjourn the meeting; Gary seconded. Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Paul Raymond, Clerk