Chairman Glen Williamson called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Also present: Supervisors Mike McCullen and Maureen Rioux, Treasurer Patrice Winfield, Clerk Paul Raymond, Road Manager Alden Shute, Stan and Tracy Riley, Angie Anderson, Stefanie Williamson, Terry Koscielniak, Bryan Vink, and Rod Sorgaard.
Clerk’s Report of April Board of Reorganization and Board Meeting: Paul read the record of the April 6 meeting; Mike moved to approve; Maureen seconded; passed.
Road Report: S. Duncan Road Entrance: Alden said he got an application from the county to straighten out the entrance of the South Duncan Road where it enters Duxbury Road. We will not need to get permission from Diane Raash since the work will be on county land to the west. Alden estimates it will take 100 yards of pit-run gravel.
South Duncan Road End: It is so slick and slimy there that you can’t turn around. Alden wants to shave it off and put new gravel down when it dries out. We can check it out at the road inspection.
Crooked Lake Road Culvert: There is a hole in the road about 1/10 mile in where he has put a culvert to install. Locate is coming out soon and he can do the work. We will show Jason Palme at the road inspection. Paul will bill Danforth for half of $1,678.04 plus gravel and installation when we have the figures.
Cutting Edges: With steel shortages, they are expensive and hard to get. He ordered two sets and will pick them up in the cities.
Road Inspection: Glen moved and Maureen seconded to set the date for the road inspection as Monday, May 23, 10 a.m. at the Duxbury Store. Alden will be available. Paul will notify Jason Palme of Danforth.
Kenny Peterson Road: Terry Koscielniak bought the 80 acres from Joe Vink on the north Kenny Peterson Road. The road is under water there and we do not claim it as a township road for gas-tax purposes, only .26 mile (1,373 feet). Terry asked if the town could work with him to build up the road to give him access to his land so he can bring electricity to his land. Now it is only accessible by four-wheeler through the water. Mike said it would cost at least $50,000 to build up that road. Terry said if he builds it up he doesn’t want anyone else using it; Mike said the township and townspeople retain the right of way rights on old township roads, even if the roads are not claimed or maintained, and Terry can’t gate it off. Before all the beavers dammed the creeks you could drive on that road. Beavers also dammed the creek by the old Boys Camp entrance and water almost crossed the road. Bryan Vink said he has a friend who traps beavers. Paul said Pat Story is also having a big beaver problem flooding his land so Paul will give him Bryan’s number. Glen asked Paul to find out when we recorded the Kenny Peterson Road and if it was recorded as a cartway or full township road. Glen asked Terry to write up a proposal for any plans he has to build up the end of the road and to absolve the township of all liability for someone using the road.
Barricades on Tamarack Pine Drive: Alden said Nick Mattson apparently moved the barricades. We will check on it during the road inspection.
Assistant Grader Operator: Steve Menth still considers himself to be Alden’s backup grader operator. He would like to assume half of the duties and share them with Alden. Mike said we just need a backup for when Alden is unable to plow or grade. Steve may be done with the road by August.
Rod Sorgaard and Tim Mlller: Rod is buying the 17 back acres of Tim Miller’s land and asked if he needs any township approval for that. Glen said we have no zoning or rules for that.
OLD BUSINESS: Dumpster: Due to abuse in public dumping, the board passed a resolution restricting the use of the dumpster to the Town of Wilma and the Duxbury Volunteer Fire Department. Signs were posted and the dumpster was moved to the back of the town hall to keep it out of sight. Glen signed the resolution. Angie said we have to move it facing the parking lot on garbage days if we want Doug to pick it up.
Life and Dental Insurance: Patrice is applying for dental through the MATIT Ameritas program; Stefanie said she would also like to get it. Patrice will give her the details. Glen said the town will pay half. Paul needs to get Maureen enrolled in the MAT Life Insurance program.
ARPA EXPENDITURE REPORT: The first report on the use of our $6,887 in ARPA funds was due April 30. It was a very difficult site to navigate and the Auditor said many clerks were having problems. MAT and Kelly Schroeder both uploaded videos to help clerks fill out the report. The site crashed because of so many attempts to file. Paul was successful after two days of work on the report. At this time we do not have to designate a project and could claim Revenue Replacement, but we have a resolution designating some of our ARPA funds to go to our internet fund, if the board passes it and it is signed. Paul had a resolution to donate some of the funds to our internet at the hall. We have $900 left of our Blandin Grant to pay for internet, a couple of years’ worth. Mike said we should ask Blandin first if they will give us any more money. We do not have to decide how to pay it for a while.
Clutter in Hall: Stefanie said it seems to her like we have a lot of clutter on the stage and hall that we could donate to thrift stores. Paul said the only thing we have that we don’t use is the old player piano. Everything else is pancake grills and carts for the pancake breakfast. Bryan said the piano belongs to his mother Bev Vink and he would like to have it. Glen thanked him for taking it. The closet does have some clutter and garbage and needs a good cleaning. Bryan asked about the canvas curtain that is rolled up at the front of the stage; Glen said he’d never seen it but we don’t want to get rid of it now. Paul will send everyone a photo Bryan took of it.
County Sales of Public Lands: Greg Beck sent a letter of the county’s intention to sell four parcels of county land on the North Duncan Road, three 40 acre parcels and one 80 acre, on both sides of the North Duncan Road. The Board directed Paul to respond that The Board of Supervisors of Wilma have always held the position that public lands and rights-of-way should remain in the public domain for the recreational use of all citizens and that the Board opposes any sales of county land in Wilma Township and affirms that the public’s right to use these lands not be impeded but protected. Greg said he will personally visit Mike but Mike said he hasn’t stopped by yet. Mike said it is one commissioner from north Pine County who is so determined to sell off county lands.
Snow Berm on N. Duncan Road: Alden had to take the plow out to smooth out a snow berm left by the DNR snowmobile trail groomers. We billed them for $150 and they paid.
NEW BUSINESS: Application for Utility Permit on Eagle Head Road: ECE wants permission to ditch some underground cable and junction boxes on Eagle Head Road. In August, 2021, they wrote us: “ECE has been doing this work for years and it is a process to get a check to the township for $1000 every time we need to install a new service. ECE is good for our word and would pay any damage fees if there were any.” Glen moved then that we waive the escrow deposit requirement for ECE, but still ask that they schedule joint road inspections with Alden before and after excavating Wilma Township roads. Glen moved to approve their application and not ask for any more escrow. Maureen seconded; passed. We still are holding $1,000 in escrow for ECE.
Treasurer’s Report: (Attached) Patrice said total bills for May are $6,529.19, and she needs to transfer $6,000. Maureen moved to approve her report and to transfer the funds. Glen seconded; passed. Maureen moved to adjourn the meeting; Mike seconded; passed. Meeting adjourned at 9:40.