Meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chair Nelson. Note: Meeting was originally scheduled to start at 8:30. However, since the Town Board Meeting ended at 7:26, Chair Nelson asked the residents present if the Special Meeting can be started at 7:30. Everyone present agreed. Two people arrived at 8:30 for the meeting. Chair Nelson was present to talk with the guests and review what occurred at the meeting.
Attendance:
Officers Present: Chair Douglas Nelson, Vice-Chair Donald Swanstrom, Supervisor James Wilson, Clerk Lita Wallace, Treasurer Carol Nelson, Deputy Treasurer Raymond Barnes
Officer Absent: Deputy Clerk Shane Stolp
Guests: Bonnie Dressen, Doug Dressen, Dale Gauthier, Lori Gherna, Al Hanson, Peggy Hanson, Stephen Jones, Jennifer Ludgate, Mike Nilsen, Nancy Nilsen, Ed Potter, Kathy Sykes, Tom Sykes, Brian Von Arb, Carmi Von Arb, Ted Wallace
Nelson started with the history and why the Subordinate Service District (SSD) has to be established and the time and work that Wilson and himself have put in since January of this year. A letter was sent to all West Branch Road landowners in January. In February/March, they received 10-15% response. With concerted effort, both of them knocked door to door to talk with landowners. The response was positive. By September, they were able to collect more than the required 50% signature. Only five expressed that they are not in favor.
Landowners who disagree have 60 days after the date it is published to submit a reverse referendum signed by at least 25% of the landowners in the district. If a Reverse Referendum is presented to the Town board, the next step would be to hold a special election of landowners in the SSD, In the absence of a Reverse Referendum, the Resolution (see below) will become official at the expiration of the 60 days. Nelson read the Resolution to Establish a Subordinate Service District (see below). Nelson motion to approve the Resolution, Wilson second, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay, Swanstrom yay.
It is a township road so everybody in the township will pay for the road. However, landowners in West Branch Road will pay extra – about $30,000 total a year for all SSD landowners until the total cost is paid for. It will not be until 2027 before taxes in the SSD will be taken as July 2025 was the deadline for submission which we did not meet.
Resolution to Establish a Subordinate Service District
In accordance with Minnesota Statutes §365A,02 and §365A.08, Pequaywan Township hereby establishes a Subordinate Service District to include all landowners using the Township portion of the West Branch Road to access their property. This includes all landowners starting with Fire #8895 through the end of the road at Fire #9434. The Subordinate Service District will be established to help finance the replacement of the current blacktop road by adding to the Township Road & Bridge Fund until the new pavement and repairs have been completed and paid for. There will be an annual service charge totaling $30,000.00 added to the landowner’s taxes based on their current property values as established by St. Louis County Auditor’s Office.
Respectfully submitted by,
Lita Wallace, Clerk