WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013
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 Mark Pallow, and Eldon and Marg Schmedeke and Pat Storey.
Paul read the record of the August meeting. Mike moved to approve; Gary seconded.
OLD BUSINESS: Schmedeke Lane Extension: The Schmedeke Lane Committee report was adopted by the Board as the Board’s minimum requirements for the adoption of Schmedeke Lane extension as part of the township road. It was sent from the Wilma Town Board to the three county commissioners and to Cathy Clemmer, Pine Co. Land Management, David Minke, Pine Co. Administrator, and to Greg Beck, Pine Co. Land Commissioner. So far we have received a response from Greg Beck: “The extension was never meant to be built per Township Road Specifications.” Eldon attended the CountyCommissioners meeting after they received the report, but Steve Chaffee was on vacation. Eldon said he didn’t get a lot from the Co. Board. Eldon said Steve Chaffee had agreed to come out and inspect the road; he’s the one in the driver’s seat. “If he goes to sleep on this the county will just sit on it and do nothing.”
Eldon said he did talk with Cathy Clemmer, the new Pine Co. Land Manager, and said she is a sincere person. He wants her to come out and see the extension personally. Eldon said the county is only concerned about collecting taxes and not really looking after our interests. Eldon said Wilma is only asking from the county what they would do for any larger township that they wanted to take over a road. Eldon said we need Chaffee to come to a Wilma board meeting and speak to us personally. We had at least three votes, but then Doug Carlson died and hasn’t yet been replaced. The $30,000 the county said they spent on the extension is “chicken feed,” he said. Loggers took a quarter million dollars of timber from behind Eldon’s property. Glen said we have to wait until the county commissioners meet. Eldon asked for a copy of our documentation of rulings that original surveys are the authority, even if they are later found to be wrong.
James Doody Gates: Jim Doody responded to our letter to him about the gates over Eagle Head Road’s public access and rights-of-way, on the old Eagle Head Road north of what we maintain now. Mr. Doody said he did agree to remove the locks after rifle hunting season, but he retained the right to gate the road during hunting season. He said he had no problem with snowmobilers using the old Eagle Head Road as long as they stay on the public right-of-way, but has had so many problems with trespassing hunters that he has to lock the gates during hunting season. Mike said he had a different take on their meeting, and Jim Doody needs to come to a board meeting so we can deal with this face to face. Paul will email him.
Propane Prebuy: Patrice said the board needs to decide about the prebuy. Last year we bought 1200 gallons, and used all of it plus. Mike moved that we again prebuy 1200 gallons at the current rate of $1.49/gallon. Gary seconded. Passed.
Escrow/Road Hauling Permits: We got payments from Carlson Timber for Mayfield Road; from T&T Logging for Vink Road, and Mark talked with Warmersquish Logging for Dollar Lake Road about the permit and deposit; the county bought some land so Warmersquish could get access to the county timber.
Wilma Fall Fest: Patrice said the Procrastinators are scheduled to play, same band as last year. They have a $500 budget, and Patrice and Toni Williamson will be arranging door prizes and other entertainment. Will be October 19, starting with a pot-luck supper at 6 p.m.
North Duncan Road: Bill Peno wrote to Glen about the culverts to be put in North Duncan Road. Mark had asked for his input on the location of the culverts. Mark said two 30’, 24” culverts are needed at each end of the gravel and work on that part of the road. He said it would mitigate a lot of the problems and erosion there. Mike moved to install two culverts on N. Duncan Road; Glen seconded. We have the culverts. Paul will write to Mr. Peno and tell him.
Carlson Timber Escrow Refund: Mark said Carlsons are done with their hauling on Crooked Lake Road and did no damage, so their escrow should be returned. Mike said we need to deduct $50 for our time and bookkeeping and Mark’s inspections, and moved to refund $450 to Carlson’s Timber for that road. Gary seconded. Passed.
NEW BUSINESS: Plantings on Lost River Road Cul-de-sac: Pat Story asked the Board for permission to plant three pines (White and Black Spruce) in the cul-de-sac on Lost River Road, to act as a windbreak to keep the snow from drifting and blocking the road. They have already provided locate service for ECE and Century Link and the area is cleared for digging and planting. They will also plant wild flowers in the center. Mike said we need to insure they won’t interfere with snowplowing, and Gary said the town needs to review liability issues if there are trees in the cul-de-sac. Glen appointed Pat to the Lost River Road Improvement Committee. Mark said he has no problem with it, but would like to see where the trees will go. Glen moved that the LRRIC be authorized to plant the trees in the cul-de-sac pending Mark’s inspection and approval. Mike seconded. Passed. Pat said someone filled in the drainage ditch to create a parcel access driveway without putting in a culvert to drain the water, on the west side of Lost River Road just before the cul-de-sac, which created a flooding situation over the road. Mark will inspect this Friday when he checks on the tree locate, and then Paul can contact Mr. Quinn to see if he is aware of this and asking him to have it corrected. We will charge the offender for the gravel and grading needed to repair the road, and if the offender doesn’t put in a culvert, we will at their expense.
Pat said he is impressed with the variety and number of problems the board deals with monthly. In county government, he said, most problems would be delegated and many more people would be working on the issues the board handles. He thanked the board and Mark for the good condition Lost River Road is maintained.
4-Wheeler Damage: Pat had another concern: 4-wheelers spinning out and throwing gravel doing wheelies on Lost River Road. When they call the sheriff, he only gives them the number of the Reservation Sheriff, assuming the offenders are from there. Pat has a camera that he can use to capture images of the people damaging the road. Mike asked Pat to inform the other cabin owners to keep an eye out. We confronted people damaging River Cabin Road and they stopped their activities.
T&T Logging Hauling on Crooked Lake Road: T&T has been hauling silage for their cows from Roger Nelson’s on Crooked Lake Road and have put some dips in the road. Mark will inspect the road and determine the damages and repairs needed. Paul is authorized to notify any haulers as soon as we are aware of their activities of our ordinance and escrow requirements, which is clearly posted at all entrances to our town. We didn’t get an escrow from T&T before this project, but we will bill them for any damages when Mark determines the cost.
Bug-bombs for Hall: Mike asked Paul to pick up some bug bombs to fumigate the hall and the attic now that flies are starting to come in for the winter.
Treasurer’s Report and Bills: Patrice gave the Treasurer’s Report (attached) and bills and claims were presented:
Patrice (expenses) $ 10.00
Paul (expenses) 26.34
Mark (expenses) 26.59
Mike 41.56
Mark 27.70
Carlson Timber 450.00
Patrice 87.73
Gary 66.50
Glen 47.33
Paul 170.85
Federated Propane prebuy 1,798.80
ECE 56.87
Victor Lundeen (checks) 282.60
TOTAL $ 3,092.87
Gary moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report, to pay all the claims, and to transfer $3,100 from savings to checking. Mike seconded. Passed.
Gary moved to adjourn the meeting; Mike seconded. Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Paul Raymond, Clerk