WILMA TOWNSHIP  BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2016

Chairman Glen Williamson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Also present, Supervisors Mike McCullen and  Gary Vink, Treasurer Patrice Winfield, Clerk Paul Raymond, Grader Operator Alden Shute, Pat Story, and Scott Quady.

Paul read the record of the November board meeting.  Glen corrected the record that we don’t have a three-year contract with Exede; it is for two years. Gary moved to approve; Mike seconded.

ROAD REPORT:    Schmedeke Lane Ditch and Logging: Alden checked all the roads prior to winter plowing, including Schmedeke Lane.  He said that the loggers had not removed any gravel from the road, but we will need to repair the ditch in the spring because the ditch is filled in. He will need to dig it out so the road and the clear-cut logging area can drain. Alden said he can dig the ditch out with our equipment, and all repair work and inspections come out of Carlson’s escrow account.  Any runoff from the logged area now will flow to the north, and not over the road. The logging trucks are gone, so we assume Carlson Timber is finished logging. No one has contacted Alden about an inspection.

Eagle Head Road:   Two more loads of gravel were put down on the road after the culverts were put in.

Grader Maintenance:   Alden bought batteries for the grader, has the chains and wings on, and the grader is greased and ready for snow.

Road Manager:  Gary said Mark Pallow has resigned as Road Manager.  Mike moved that Alden be appointed Road Manager, with authority over road maintenance decisions, and the authority to hire help as needed.  Scott said he would like to see Mark recognized for his years as service as our Road Manager and grader operator.  Glen directed Paul to formulate a letter and card.  Alden said many times Mark worked very late at night to ensure that everyone was plowed out, and he worked in all weather conditions and we owe him a big debt.  Mike moved that the Road Manager be able to plow his own drive without paying, since he needs good access to the hall.  Gary seconded.

Snowplowing:    Mark Ackerman does want to be plowed this season, but hasn’t been up here to pay for it yet.  Scott asked Alden to put the snow on the south side of McCullen Drive, so it doesn’t plug the ditch.  Vink Road will be plowed as far as Barb Smith’s home.  That road and Duncan Road are snowmobile trails, and Mike said we need to be considerate of snowmobilers.

OLD BUSINESS:  Wilma Township WIFI:   Report on WIFI Committee by Paul, who took over chairing the committee from Glen.  Paul and Glen assembled the four parabolic antennas for installation Friday. Paul has hired a cable installer who will rent a hydraulic lift from MRC in Sandstone.  Pat said the best option for mounting the antennas is all on our one 50′ pole. Blandin Foundation said $1,640 remains in our account.  We will send claims for the installation and our administrative hours before the December 16 deadline. Bob Voss says they do not want to return any of the money.  Scott asked if we could find out if any surplus funds after the installation and administrative costs could go to purchase more parabolic antennas so that we could extend the WiFi reach. Glen directed Paul to talk with Bob Voss about this when Paul sends ECRDC the invoices for the work and equipment they haven’t already paid for. Mike said Exede put the satellite dish in the middle of the driveway where the fire trucks need to back up to get water.  Glen said he will ask them to move it, further back.

Township Records:   Mike found a fire-proof safe at Sams, but hasn’t been able to pick it up. He thinks it is under $400, and as soon as he is able to get to a Sams he will pick it up.

State and Federal Election:  Was Tuesday, November 8.  Paul, Patrice, Robin Fornengo, and Jeff GrandPre served as judges. We had a very big turnout, with 55 voters, including many new registrations. Final tally, Trump 38, Clinton 15, Gary Johnson 2.

MAT 2016 Educational Conference and Annual Meeting:  Was November 17, 18, and 19 at River’s Edge in St. Cloud and Paul, Glen and Toni attended. Since Pine County had only five delegates, Paul, Toni and Glen will all get $300 scholarships from the County Township Officers Association, $900 total. This year the theme was universal broadband WiFi.  Senator Amy Klobuchar was the featured speaker, and all officers learned a lot.  Paul distributed info for the supervisors and for Patrice on the Chart of Accounts and the financial reporting.

NEW BUSINESS:  Township Dental Coverage:  The MN Benefit Association informed us that our group plan is being discontinued, but we can apply for individual coverage through them at an equal or lower cost.  If our dentists are in their Advantage II Network, coverage is $120/year cheaper. Dr. Michael Bennett will not be in the network so closest dentists are in Pine City. Patrice said if the town pays half of the open plan, it will be $202 per year.  Under our old plan, we paid $196.60 per year. Mike moved that the township pay half of whatever plan each individual chooses. Gary seconded. Passed. We have to enroll individually, and pay our premiums ourselves, and then bill the town for half.

Fire Department Payment:   Glen moved that we pay the annual $4,500 fee to the Duxbury Volunteer Fire Department for protection.  Gary seconded.  Passed.

Disposal District Increase:   Gary said the garbage board wants to return our yearly rate to $36 per year, from $30, where it’s been.  Glen asked who can use the outside dumpster?  Mike said everyone in the town is paying for garbage service, whether they live here or not, so everyone can put stuff in the dumpster.

March, 2017 Monthly Board Meeting:   Glen said he can’t be here on March 1, and asked if we could postpone the March meeting to March 8.  The Annual Town Meeting is March 13.  Gary moved to move the meeting; Mike seconded; passed.  Paul asked to be reminded so he can post and publish the change next year.

March Election and Annual Town Meeting:   Patrice and Gary are up for re-election.  Filing dates are January 3 – January 17, 2017, fee $2.  Both Gary and Patrice intend to file.  The election will be March 14, and Paul will need two more judges.

MAT Workers’ Compensation Report and premium:   Audit for 2016 due by Jan. 31; the board signed the premium claim for 2017 ($461) due January 1^st.

Treasurer’s Report and Claims:   Patrice gave the Treasurer’s Report (attached). Claims totaled $10,854.48.  Glen moved to approve the report, and to pay all the claims, and to transfer $11,000.00 from savings to checking.  Gary seconded.

Gary moved to adjourn; Glen seconded.  Meeting adjourned 9:30 p.m.

Paul Raymond, Clerk

_____________________________              Attested to by Glen Williamson, Chair_____________________________

 

 

WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING, WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2016

Chairman Glen Williamson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Also present, Supervisors Mike McCullen and Gary Vink, Treasurer Patrice Winfield, Clerk Paul Raymond, Grader Operator Alden Shute, Steve Grabau, and Eldon and Marg Schmedeke.

Paul read the record of the October board meeting. Gary moved to approve; Mike seconded.

ROAD REPORT: Little Tamarack Lake Road Erosion Control Project: Permit was granted August 15^th, Alden said the project is completed and rip-rap put down, the fence removed, and gravel filled. The permit is good until 2018 so if we need to do more, we can. Earlier Alden had them put 20 loads of gravel on that road, but not in the erosion area, and it’s all been graded and crowned.

Eagle Head Road: Glen and Paul met with Tom Ackerman to survey his land and ask him to remove the beaver dam. He took care of it and the flooding abated, but Alden said the culvert is so undermined and plugged by the flooding that it will be replaced tomorrow with a 24” culvert. Gary will remove his screens. Alden asked Paul to send a thank-you to Tom and ask him to keep the dam and beavers under control. Alden also cleaned out the smaller culvert, which is difficult to find.

Schmedeke Lane Ditch and Logging: Eldon said Carlson Timber or the land-owner are back in the logging area with two caterpillars. He said the ditch is filled in and we need to dig it out so the road and the clear-cut logging area can drain. Alden said he can dig the ditch out with our equipment, and all repair work and inspections come out of Carlson’s escrow account. Gary gave Paul some hours last month, and we have Paul and Glen’s time to bill. The county moved the stop and road sign at Duxbury Road that Carlson moved to the other side of the road but Eldon said it can easily be knocked down again. Paul contacted the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and he will contact them again and see what, if anything, they intend to do about it. Carlson may have dozed the oil away. Pete Anderson Road Flood Damage: Arna Township attended the meeting with Denise Baran and Homeland Security Emergency Management and filed for and received assistance from HSEM for Pete Anderson Road. The work is done. They also hired someone to take out the beaver dam that is flooding the road.

Pete Anderson Bridge: Mike Goetz, President of Northland Mfg., Inc. has written several letters saying that land owners are concerned about the bridge at the north end of Pete Anderson road between Wilma and Arna townships where it crosses Mc Dermott Creek over to New Dosey Township. The bridge has washed out and the decking is missing. “It is in need of major repair.” We informed him that neither Wilma nor Arna has maintained that bridge or the last quarter mile of Pete Anderson Road for decades. The road was recorded for two miles in 1922, but has not been maintained in that portion. We are claiming 1.75 miles of Pete Anderson Road on our road report and the plat book shows the road ending at 1.75 miles. Paul will inform Mr. Goetz that neither township intends to maintain any more of the Pete Anderson Road or do any bridge repairs.

Range Line Road Billing: Gary gave Paul info to bill to Danforth Township for work on Eagle Head Road. 10/16, .5 hour @ $18 = $9, their half $4.50, talking with Steve Grabau and surveying damage. 10/18, 1 hr. @ $15, their half $7.50, cutting trees and clearing culvert; 10/20 1 hr. @18, their half $9, talk with Grabau, Mark and Paul about Eagle Head; 10/24 1 hr @ 15, their half $7.50, inspect and cut trees; 11/2 1.5 hr @ 15, $22.50, their half $11.25, clean culvert; 11/2 ½ hour @ 18, $9, their half $4.50, talk to Tom and Steve about road. Plus all of Alden’s time and work on the road and culvert.

OLD BUSINESS: Wilma Township WIFI: Glen gave an update on the town WIFI. Exceed installed a dish and a modem and we have had WIFI at our hall since October 22^nd. Glen signed a two year, $115 per month contract for the equipment and modem rental and satellite service. Alden said his nephew is too busy to install it. Patrice said she can install the dishes if she can use a fire department ladder. Mike can coordinate the work so she has the support she needs. Mike said they put the dish in the middle of the driveway where the fire trucks need to back up to get water. Glen said he will ask them to move it, further back.

Township Records: Mike found a fire-proof safe at Sams, but hasn’t been able to pick it up.

Sentence-to-Serve Work: It’s too late this year to have the floors sanded and polly’d. Clayton Heller, Jr. repaired the roof leak at the stove pipe and got a cap for the pipe, but had the wrong size at first. He also disposed of our old electronic equipment. He has a receipt but has not billed us yet.

NEW BUSINESS: MAT 2016 Educational Conference and Annual Meeting: Will be November 17, 18, and 19 at River’s Edge in St. Cloud. Paul and Glen and Toni are attending and Paul and Glen will get $300 scholarships from the County Township Officers Association. Mike asked if these conferences are so great, why don’t other townships send delegates? Paul said their boards are too cheap and don’t want to pay for it, even with the subsidies. Glen said they don’t realize how much they could learn. This year the theme is universal WiFi, and we may get important info on how to get WiFi for everyone, not just at the hall.

Pine County Township Officers Meeting: Was Saturday, October 22, and Paul reported on the speakers and distributed reports on the board of equalization schedule and the county’s interest in solar energy. Most commissioners and candidates spoke, plus a deputy of the sheriff, but no one from the DNR or the auditor’s office spoke.

Wilma Fall Fest: Was a big success; no report on the total cost or attendance. The Procrastinators played and committed to play for next year.

Snowplowing 2016-2017 Season: Fees are due tonight. Mike said he has spoken to some citizens who want plowing but want to know who will be doing it before they pay. Glen asked Gary to ask Mark Pallow, our Road Manager, to come before the board and discuss future plowing and grader work and a possible transition to a new road manager. Glen said that although the deadline is tonight, we will accept payments for this season’s plowing until there is a big snow storm, after which no one can enroll.

State and Federal Election: Will be Tuesday, November 8, polls open from 10 am to 8 pm. Paul, Patrice, Robin Fornengo, and Jeff GrandPre will serve as judges. The public test of the Automark machine will be this Saturday, Nov. 5, at noon. Mike said Shawn needs an absentee ballot. Paul will have it sent to her.

Treasurer’s Report and Claims: Patrice gave the Treasurer’s Report (attached). Claims totaled $3,147.34. Glen moved to approve the report, and to pay all the claims, and to transfer $3,200.00 from savings to checking. Gary seconded.

Gary moved to adjourn; Glen seconded. Meeting adjourned 9:15 p.m.

Paul Raymond, Clerk _____________________________

Attested to by Glen Williamson, Chair_____________________________