Meeting was called to order by Chair Scott Mead at 7:30 p.m.
Attendance: Board members: Supervisors Scott Mead, Lee Kaplan, Donald Swanstrom, Treasurer Ray Barnes and Clerk Lita Wallace. Number of residents (5) – non-residents (1)
Clerk’s Report: Copies of July Minutes were provided for those present to review. Motioned to approve by Scott and seconded by Don, motion carried. Scott yay, Lee yay, Donald yay .
Treasurer’s Report
251,715.55 Total Cash-on hand as of 6/30/2017
18,427.08 Plus: Deposits
956.40 Less: Disbursements
269,186.23 Total Cash-on hand as of 7/31/2017
Motioned to approve by Lee and seconded by Don, motion carried. Scott yay, Lee yay, Donald yay .
Old Business
- Update on West Branch Road turnaround – the requirement is a 70-foot turnaround. A resident, whose property is affected with the turnaround, is agreeable to encroach on his land a little bit. Lee talked to Garret Campbell and they can remove the trees and supply fill. Scott talked to Minnesota Association of Townships (MAT) and he was advised that bids are not necessary, that we can go ahead with the work if we know someone local and who can be trusted. Work to be done are: removing trees and stump, filling-in and cutting the brush. Ray Barnes has a brush cutter that can be used for clearing township shoulders.
- Microsoft Office software – Ray reported that the cost of a new software, Microsoft Office Suite, is between $400-$600. The extension of the license is only $100 so it is better to extend the license this year.
New Business
- Plans for township property – There was a discussion on creating a walking trail. Now is the time to do it. It will cost money but if it is not done this year, it may not be done at all.
- There was also a discussion on not allowing motorized vehicle in the property. There are two entry points to the property: one is off of Highway 44 and the second is off of Rossini Road. Scott motioned to put up a gate at Highway 44 and huge rocks at Rossini Road, Lee second, motioned carried. Scott yay, Lee yay, Donald yay. Don will research on the cost.
- Scott had sent a letter to the lawyers at MAT for the usage of the land.
- Rental property on lakeshore – Below is an abridged text of a letter (signed by the President of Pequaywan Lakes Association) sent to Pequaywan property owners who are renting their cabins. Small changes were made to reflect different situations but the citizens at this meeting felt strongly everyone could use a reminder about protecting our lakes. Lee motioned for Pequaywan Township supervisors to also sign the letter, Scott second, motion carried. Scott yay, Lee yay, Donald yay .
Claims: Check numbers 1273-1277 in the amount of $543.42
Correspondence
- Received:
- Email from Land and Minerals Department re-Noxious Weed Inspections
- Email from Department of Agriculture re-Poison Hemlock
- By mail: Minnesota Association of Townships (MAT) Meeting Notice for
August 24 and form to request a copy of the new Township Lawbook - By mail: Minnesota Association of Townships Insurance Trust (MATIT) Workers’ Compensation Dividend check
- By mail: St, Louis County Planning and Community Development Department letter re-Comprehensive Land Use Plan-Initial Plan Workshops
- By mail: St. Louis County, County Auditor’s Office re- Township Final Levy Certification form for taxes payable 2018
- Email from MAT: re-District 10 Meeting info
- U.S. Department of Commerce, US Census Bureau re- Census 2020 (Don will contact them to verify how the township can help.)
- Sent:
- Completed Township Final Levy Certification form for taxes payable 2018- mailed to St. Louis County
Public Comment – A resident asked why not build a townhall in the property. There was a discussion on liability, maintenance and other issues.
Next Meeting: September 12, 2017, 7:30 p.m. Pequaywan Fire Department, 8764 Pequaywan Lake Road
Motion to Adjourn at 8:20 p.m. by Don, second by Scott, motion carried. Scott yay, Lee yay, Donald yay .
Submitted by,
Lita Wallace, Town Clerk
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Letter to be sent out to the community by Pequaywan Lakes Association
August 9, 2017
Pequaywan Lakes have a history of pure, clean water enjoyed by all the residents. We take great pride in the condition of our lakes especially now as the presence of aquatic invasive species is so prevalent, as close as Pike Lake and Island Lake and manifested in lakes in the Twin Cities. Pequaywan Lake residents discourage friends and family from bringing in boats that may have been exposed to the AIS threat, offering instead, the use of a boat that stays in our lake for the season.
In fact, the local opposition to the construction of the public access is based solely on the likelihood avid fishermen who go from lake to lake will bring in one or more of these invaders. There are no known strategies to remove them once they’ve be introduced into a body of water. It is alarming to read how lake property values decrease when such infestation occurs. Any expense incurred in attempting removal is mostly borne by property owners with a special tax district created to cover it.
We hear a rising outcry from long-time residents regarding rental of lakeshore properties. It’s understandable as the practice helps finance mortgages and will probably be an increasing phenomenon as lake home prices grow higher. Efforts in the prevention of aquatic invasive species protects your investment.
(We invited these owners to come to either an association meeting or a townboard meeting.)
These groups ( Pequaywan Lakes Association and Pequaywan Township Board) have no authority to ban boat or cabin rentals. In the interest of maintaining a cordial relationship within this community, addressing your intentions to protect our lakes with either of these groups would be welcome. Our community includes contrasting and at times conflicting interests but we all share a passion for protecting our lakes.
Phyllis Mead
Pequaywan Lakes Association President
Donald Swanstrom, Lee Kaplan, Scott Mead
Pequaywan Township Supervisors
In addition to the above information, moving docks or boat lifts from other lakes to ours presents another means of spreading aquatic invasive species. Thorough cleaning plus extended drying periods will make this a safer endeavor.