Author: peqclerk

Meeting of the Board of Canvass was called to order by Chair Douglas Nelson at 10:20 p.m.

Attendance:

Town officers: Chair Douglas Nelson, Vice-Chair Jim Wilson, Supervisor Douglas Dressen, Clerk Lita Wallace, Treasurer Carol Nelson, Deputy Clerk Shane Stolp, Deputy Treasurer Raymond Barnes

Guests: Mark Freeman, Ted Wallace, Donald Swanstrom

Deputy Clerk issued Oath of Office to the Board of Canvass members and Board of Canvass Members took the Oath of Office.

Deputy Clerk presented the Canvass Reports and abstracts to the Board  with 23 voters that voted. Results of the township election: Donald Swanstrom 20 votes; write-in John Wilson, 2 votes; write-in Douglas Dressen, 1 vote. Swanstrom was elected as the new supervisor to replace Douglas Dressen.

Board reviewed and concurred or dealt with any errors or write-in issues through the required statutes. There was none. Board moved to declare the results of the vote and signed off on the Summary and any other abstracts;

The clerk was then authorized to issue a notification to candidates and request their signed campaign financial forms within the time period;

The board adjourns as the Board of Canvass at 10:41 p.m. Motioned by Dressen, seconded by Wilson, motion carried. Dressen yay, Wilson yay, Nelson yay.

Respectfully submitted by,
Shane Stolp, Deputy Clerk
Lita Wallace, Clerk

The meeting was called to order by Chair Douglas Nelson at 9:50 p.m.

Attendance:

Town officers: Chair Douglas Nelson, Vice-Chair Jim Wilson, Supervisor Douglas Dressen, Clerk Lita Wallace, Treasurer Carol Nelson, Deputy Clerk Shane Stolp, Deputy Treasurer Raymond Barnes

Guests: Mark Freeman, Ted Wallace, Donald Swanstrom,

Clerk’s Report

Copies of the February meeting minutes were distributed to attendees and they were given time to read it. Dressen motioned to approve the minutes, seconded by Wilson, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay, Dressen yay.

Treasurer’s Report

FEBRUARY 2025
Total Funds on Hand 2/1/2025 $282,216.85
Plus: Deposits $4,026.59
-Interest on Accounts 607.59
-Taconite Production 3,419.00
Less: Disbursements $1,019.67
-Payroll 559.93
-MAT Dues 313.84
-Other expenses 145.90
Total Funds on Hand 2/28/2025 $285,223.77
Checks Written 2124-2128

MARCH 2025
Expected Receipts
St. Louis County – Town Road 2144.39
Checks Written 2129-2138 $5,402.27
No transfer to checking needed

Wilson motioned to approve the treasurer’s report, seconded by Dressen, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay, Dressen yay.

Old Business

Wallace read the result of Township Election for one open supervisor position as follows: Donald Swanstrom, 20 votes; write-in John Wilson, 2 votes; write-in Douglas Dressen, 1 vote. Donald Swanstrom won the election.

Since the Fire department is asking for $30,000.00 levy in 2026, the township can pay them $3,000.00 from last year’s Fire and EMS budget balance and ask for $27,000.00 levy for 2026. It was discussed that we should build up this fund in order to be in a better position to apply for matching fund grants for road improvements. After discussion, a motion to approve the 2026 levy in the amount of $70,000.00 was made by Wilson, seconded by Dressen, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay, Dressen yay.

Update on progress of Subordinate Service District – a letter was sent out to residents of West Branch Road

Legal opinion from Steve Fenske, Minnesota Association of Townships (MAT) Legal Counsel on subject of fines for weight limit violations: “The town board would adopt an ordinance that sets limits and imposes fines. The town needs to post weight limits they intend to enforce.

Enforcement is the challenge. The township does not have the means by which to stop a vehicle they think is overweight and weigh it. The township would need to contract with the sheriff’s office to do that work period it’s possible the sheriff does not have the equipment to perform that function as well, as I have heard some sheriff’s offices cannot afford the weight equipment.

Some local governments have been more creative in finding ways of measuring vehicles. For example, one was going to the co-ops and places of delivery that suspect vehicles were going to. They would be weighed at their destination and the weight records would be on file with the co-ops or businesses. Such records could be obtained in a criminal prosecution. There may be disputes which usually means costs for the Township to try and obtain the records.

The Township should consult its town attorney for help in creating an ordinance and learning if the town can be effective in enforcing its ordinance if it’s adopted.”

Modify resolution about memorial tree planting to include invasive species information from Pequaywan Township Noxious Weed Inspector (https://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants-insects/minnesota-noxious-weed-list) – clerk Wallace was requested to create a resolution stating that the township will allow people to plant memorial trees at the township land dependent on approved location and species of the trees.

Reminder: Local Board of Appeal and Equalization (LBAE) meeting scheduled on May 13, 2025 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Pequaywan Firehall

Reminder: Minnesota Association of Townships (MAT) Spring Short Course training for town officers is scheduled on April 4 at 9:00 a.m. at the DECC

Follow-up discussion operating a .gov domain by June 1, 2026 (https://get.gov/domains/) – put on hold for now.

New Business

St. Louis County Maintenance Striping, Crack Sealing and Chip/Scrub Sealing Programs giving the opportunity for townships and cities within St. Louis County to participate in the St. Louis County contracts for these projects. Deadline to submit request of participation is June 2, 2025. The cost is $10,000.00 per mile.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) Programs Requalification eligibility automatically renews and extend continued participation in the St. Louis County program for the period covering 2026-2028 unless agreement is terminated.

Variance application of a resident with St. Louis County Board of Adjustment for the meeting scheduled on April 10, 2025.

Correspondence

Received:

• Invoice from Daisy Wallace in the amount of $25.00 for February 2025 web maintenance and computer support
• Invoice from Microsoft re-automatic annual renewal of Microsoft 365 Family subscription for $139.58 effective March 9, 2025
• Email from St. Louis County Economic and Community Development offering the opportunity for townships to participate in the St. Louis County contracts for continuation of the Maintenance Striping, Crack Sealing and Scrub Sealing Programs
• Email from St. Louis County Community Development Program advising renewal of the partnership between the county and townships to access funding from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) programs administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
• Various emails from St. Louis County Elections re- March Town Election including roster, master list, precinct finder, absentee balloting

Sent:

• Four Absentee ballots

Public Comment: None

Next Meeting: April 8, 2025, 7:00 p.m. at Pequaywan Firehall

Meeting was motioned to adjourn by Dressen at 10:15 p.m., seconded by Wilson, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay, Dressen yay.

Respectfully submitted by,
Lita Wallace, Clerk

The meeting was called to order by clerk Lita Wallace at 8:25 p.m. The meeting was held at the Pequaywan Fire Hall.

Attendance: Lita Wallace, Douglas Nelson, Jim Wilson, Douglas Dressen, Carol Nelson, Shane Stolp, Raymond Barnes; Katie Dellenbach, Bonnie Dressen, Mark Freeman, Ellorna Gherna, Debra Maida, Jeffrey Maida, Phyllis Mead, Corbin Ringsred, Don Swanstrom, Lily Mead, Powel Waszczuk, Ted Wallace, Nancy Nilsen, Mike Nilsen, Daryl Waldriff, John Wilson, Sandra Wilson

Wallace read the result of Township Election for one open supervisor position as follows: Donald Swanstrom, 20 votes; write-in John Wilson, 2 votes; write-in Douglas Dressen, 1 vote. Donald Swanstrom won the election.

Election of a moderator by registered voters at Pequaywan Township: Phyllis Mead was the sole nomination. Douglas Nelson motioned for Mead to be the moderator, seconded by Wilson, motion carried. Mead accepted with a unanimous vote.

Moderator announced Agenda for rest of Meeting, subject to modification by vote of electorate, in which there was no change.

The clerk provided copies of the 2024 Annual meeting minutes. Motioned was made to waive reading of the minutes and approve it as is. Motioned was seconded, motion carried unanimously.

Annual road report by Chair Douglas Nelson: As stated in last year’s report, the West Branch township road is over 30 years old and in need of replacement. The township owns the road and has an obligation to maintain it. We now have $195,673 in the Road & Bridge Capital account and that money is invested in CD’s at just over 4%. The expenses for the road this past year are as follows: (1) Snow Plowing by St. Louis County $2,413.85: and (2) Clearing the road shoulders along the right of way as mandated by St. Louis County in order to renew our plowing contract. Bids for the shoulder maintenance were between $20,000 to $35,000, which we rejected as unreasonable. We have better uses for Township funds. This plowing contract is a fraction of what it would cost if we had to use a private contractor. All the right of way clearing was done by supervisors and neighbors living along the road. Cost $2,197.24.

The snowplow supervisor told me there is a portion of the road that is crumbling and would be hazardous for the plow driver. He wants it fixed before the next contract is renewed.

In addition to the funding provided by the Township we are in the process of setting up a Subordinate Service District. All property owners along the Township West Branch Road are being asked to make an annual contribution to the Road & Bridge Fund of $35,000. There are 70 owners so the average cost would be about $500 per year. The District will be established when over 50% of the property owners agree to the new service fee. Each property owners’ portion will be based on their property value the same as their existing taxes.

The replacement cost using last year’s numbers was $651,000. My assumption is that the number will increase with time. Sinnott Blacktop will meet with the supervisors and update their estimates after all the snow has melted. The St. Louis County Road Engineer has told us, the less we spend on a road this old and worn out, the better. He

said save for replacement instead. With the joint contribution it will take 7 to 10 years to have enough money to pay for the road. It will probably be done in 2 or 3 stages paying as we go.

We did apply for a grant last year but were unsuccessful. In conversation with the State Engineer in charge she basically said we did not have high enough volume of traffic as it’s a dead-end road. No grants were available this year as the state did not fund the program again.

Pequaywan Township has the lowest tax rate of any of our neighboring Townships. Our Real Estate Taxable Base is $85,068,400.00. This number has increased every year because of new homes being built, homes remodeled, homes sold at higher prices and regular reassessments of our properties. What that means is the new levy request will have little impact on your existing taxes.

Last year I used my own home as an example and told you there would be little to no change in your Pequaywan Township taxes even with the $5,000 increase in the Levy. My 2025 taxes went from $3,553 to $3,628. An increase of $75 dollars. What went up? St. Louis County taxes were up by $79.25. School District up by $8.21. Pequaywan

Township Tax Down from $375.20 to $354.55. A decrease of $20.65. The township tax is 9.8% of your total tax bill, 90.2% of your money goes to fund St. Louis County.

Your friends and neighbors living along the West Branch Road deserve a decent road to travel home or to their season property. Safe and speedy travel for our Fire Fighters and EMS when every second counts. Not gravel with all the mud, dust, rock chip, cracked windshield, frost boils and flat tires.

Treasurer Carol Nelson read the Board of Audit Report based on the information from the Board of Audit meeting last month.

Pequaywan Fire & EMS Assistant Fire Chief Katie Delenbach reported that the Fire Department is requesting a levy of $30,000.00 for 2026. Delenbach also reported that the Fire Department has 15 members with 10 firefighters and 6 EMS personnel. As a 100% volunteer-based organization they have been serving Pequaywan Lake Community since 1975. In 2024, there was a total of 24 calls including 17 EMS, 9 fire calls including 2 structure fires (some were both). The volunteers are good about taking care of their trucks rather than having to hire out repairs. For example, they converted a DNR tanker truck at a 50% cost savings compared to a neighboring township. There is a significant need for replacing and obtaining radios which are critical during a call. Grants are being applied for this to cover some costs.

Treasurer Carol Nelson presented the total levy for 2026 in the amount of $70,000.00 which is an increase of $10,000.00 from 2025’s $60,000.00. Levy to be paid to the Fire Department is $30,000.00 with $3,000.00 coming from the 2024 Fire & EMS balance 2024 levy. After discussion, it was motioned and seconded to set a levy of $70,000 as presented, motion carried. 14 in favor and 3 opposed. The board of supervisors will render the final decision during the March Board Meeting.

Annual Town Meeting: the state of Minnesota set the Annual Town Meeting on the second Tuesday of March following the Town Election. The Annual Town Meeting will be held at Pequaywan Fire Hall.

Motions to approve

• Motioned and seconded to set monthly Town Board Meeting on the second Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. with the exception of March Meeting to be scheduled after the Annual Town Meeting. Location is Pequaywan Fire Hall.
• Motioned and seconded to set Pequaywan Firehall as the location for the next annual meeting:
• Motioned seconded that 8:30 p.m. is the set time to convene and call to order next annual meeting.
• Motioned and seconded that the primary voting place is Pequaywan Fire Hall; garage in case Pequaywan Fire Hall is not available due to unforeseen circumstances, secondary voting place is Pequaywan Trail Blazer Snowmobile Club (contact person is Ray Barnes).
• Motion and seconded that the starting time for elections are as follows:
  7:00 am – 8:00 pm, Presidential Nomination Primary Election, Primary Election and General Election (there was a discussion that the election can start at 10:00 a.m. but since there were more than 50% who voted before 10:00 a.m., it was motioned and seconded to keep start time at 7:00 a.m.)
  7:00 am – 8:00 pm, State Election
  10:00 am – 8:00 pm, Special Primary Election  and Special General Election
  5:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Township Election
• Motioned and seconded that posting areas of Public Notice are as follows:
  – pequaywantownship.org website
  – West Branch Road marquee (event dates)
  – Pequaywan Fire & EMS bulletin board
  – Pequaywan Inn bulletin board
  – Pequaywan Clerk Facebook page (facebook.com/Pequaywanclerk/)
  – Pequaywan Lake Community facebook page (facebook.com/groups/799936047162051/)
• In finality, it was motioned and seconded that all of the above be approved. Motion carried unanimously.

The meeting was motioned and seconded to adjourn at 9:45 p.m., motion carried.

Respectfully submitted by,
Lita Wallace, Clerk
Shane Stolp, Deputy Clerk

The meeting was called to order at 7:45 p.m.

Attendance:

Town officers present: Chair Douglas Nelson, Vice-Chair Jim Wilson, Supervisor Douglas Dressen, Clerk Lita Wallace, Treasurer Carol Nelson, Deputy Treasurer Raymond Barnes

Town officer absent:  Deputy Clerk Shane Stolp

Guests: Stephen Jones, Steven Mueller, Don Swanstrom, Ted Wallace

Discuss and set-up budget amounts for 2025:

Discuss and set-up budget amounts for 2026/ Discuss levy recommendation for 2026 for presentation to the residents at the March Annual Town Meeting. Since the Fire department is asking for $30,000.00 levy in 2026, the township can pay them $3,000.00 from last year’s Fire and EMS budget balance and ask for $27,000.00 levy for 2026. The $3,000.00 will be put in Roads and Bridges (Capital Reserve) fund. It was discussed that we should build up this fund in order to be in a better position to apply for matching fund grants for road improvements

Meeting was motioned to adjourn at 8:20 p.m. by Dressen, seconded by Wilson, motion carried. Dressen yay, Wilson yay, Nelson yay.

Respectfully submitted by,
Lita Wallace, Town Clerk

Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by chair Douglas Nelson.

Attendance:

Town officers present: Chair Douglas Nelson, Vice-Chair Jim Wilson, Supervisor Douglas Dressen, Clerk Lita Wallace, Treasurer Carol Nelson, Deputy Treasurer Raymond Barnes

Town officer absent:  Deputy Clerk Shane Stolp

Guests: Stephen Jones, Steven Mueller, Don Swanstrom, Ted Wallace

Clerk’s Report

Copies of the January meeting minutes were distributed to attendees and they were given time to read it. Wilson motioned to approve the minutes, seconded by Dressen, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay, Dressen yay.

Treasurer’s Report

January 2025
Total Funds on Hand 1/1/2025 $282,566.75
Plus: Deposits $1,515.76
–Interest on Accounts 931.40
–Tax apportionment 584.36
Less: Disbursements $1,865.66
–Payroll 317.22
–941 TAXES 1,250.01
–Other Expenses 298.43

Total Funds on Hand 1/31/2025 $282,216.85
Checks Written 2116-2123
February 2025
Expected Receipts
St. Louis County – 788.08
Checks Written 2124-2128 $1,292.12
No transfer to checking needed

Dressen motioned to approve the treasurer’s report, seconded by Wilson, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay, Dressen yay.

Old Business

• There is no update on West Branch Road at this time
• Update on Invasive Species grant request – none to report at this time
• Township hiking trail and land usage was discussed. 1/3 of the people in attendance said they used the hiking trail. Folks are interested to have an area to snowshoe. Pequaywan Garden Club members suggested to designate an area for memorial tree planting which will not be on the way of any future building construction. Dressen suggested not to plant invasive maple trees and that the township will approve what will be planted and where. Dressen will continue mowing the grass.

New Business

• Budget Meeting after Township Board Meeting today
• Approve Resolution to Appoint Election Judges and Resolution to Appoint Absentee Ballot Judges was motioned by Wilson, seconded by Dressen, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay, Dressen yay.
• Due to the Town Election from 5:00-8:00 p.m., Annual Town Meeting will start at 8:20 p.m. followed by the Town Board Meeting
• Wallace requested help to set-up additional chairs and fold tables after the March 11 Town Election to get ready for the Annual Town Meeting
• Absentee Balloting runs from February 7 to March 10 – for questions, contact Pequaywan clerk at peqclerk@gmail.com or St. Louis County Elections at 726-2385
• Local Board of Appeal and Equalization (LBAE) meeting scheduled on May 13, 2025 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Pequaywan Firehall
• MAT Spring Training for town officers are scheduled on April 4 at the DECC

Correspondence

Received:

• Invoice from Daisy Wallace for January 2025 web maintenance and computer support in the amount of $62.50
• Email from Microsoft re-automatic renewal of Microsoft 365 Family subscription for $129.99 on March 9, 2025
• Follow-up invitation from Minnesota Association of Townships to town officers to participate in the 2025 Township Day at the Capitol
• Email from St. Louis County Assessor’s Office (forwarded from Department of Revenue with a list of trained board members to hold Local Board of Appeal and Equalization (LBAE) meeting and dates of LBAE town meetings
• Emails from St. Louis County Elections re-Absentee balloting information and instructions for clerks
• Email from MATIT Worker’s Comp Payroll Audit Report for Pequaywan Township
• Enail from St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office re-various meetings related to Disaster Training Opportunities for township and cities
• Email from St. Louis County Assessor’s Office re-LBAE meeting and other information

Sent:

• Clerk’s name and address sent to St. Louis County Assessor’s Office for them to use on the valuation notices sent to taxpayers who wish to mail appeals
• Chair Nelson completed the online U.S. Census Bureau 2025 Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS)
• (Treasurer) Dec 2024 – (1) MATIT Work Comp; (2) Jan 2024 – 4th quarter Unemployment & 941 Federal Taxes, Annual Outstanding indebtedness, MN Withhholding, MN Sales & Use Tax to Department of Employment and Economic Development; and (3) Feb 2024 – CTAS report to the State of Minnesota

Public Comment Request: None

Next Meeting: March 11, 2025 at Pequaywan Firehall. March Town Election runs from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. so March Town Hall meeting will start at 8:20 p.m. followed by Town Board meeting.

Meeting was motioned to adjourn at 8:20 p.m. by Dressen, seconded by Wilson, motion carried. Dressen yay, Wilson yay, Nelson yay.

Respectfully submitted by,
Lita Wallace, Town Clerk

Board of Audit Report – Year ending December 31, 2024

The meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. by Chair Nelson.

Attendance:

Town Officers Present: Chair Douglas Nelson, Vice-Chair Jim Wilson, Supervisor Douglas Dressen, Clerk Lita Wallace, Deputy Clerk Shane Stolp, Deputy Treasurer Ray Barnes

Town Officer Absent: Treasurer Carol Nelson

Township supervisors verified clerk and treasurer books match.

Township Supervisors verified claims and receipts at every meeting, so only a sampling of those documents was checked at this time.

Verified that Cash control statement from clerk and treasurer are the same. Verified that
12/31/24 bank balance matches.

Receipts – verified on clerks and treasurers reports and on bank statements.

RECEIPTS:
2/7 – $1,832.85 – Town Road Aid from St. Louis County (Nelson)
7/19 – $735.00 – Township Aid from State of Minnesota (Dressen)
8/23 – $4,092.00 – Taconite Production from St. Louis County (Wilson)

DISBURSEMENTS

2/13 – $475.42 -Lilita Wallace (Wilson)
3/12 – $13.94 – Deb Pomroy (Dressen)
8/13 – $2,054.00 Hanft Fride (Nelson)

The supervisors approved the reports presented by the clerk and the deputy treasurer.

Meeting was motioned to adjourn at 8:20 p.m. by Dressen, seconded by Wilson, motion carried. Dressen yay, Wilson yay, Nelson yay.

Respectfully submitted by,
Lita Wallace, Town Clerk

Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Douglas Nelson

Attendance:

Town officers present: Chair Douglas Nelson, Vice-Chair Jim Wilson, Supervisor Douglas Dressen, Clerk Lita Wallace, Deputy Clerk Shane Stolp, Deputy Treasurer Ray Barnes

Town officer absent: Treasurer Carol Nelson

Guests: Dan Ahonen, Katie Dellenbach, Dorothy Galenski, Tom Jackson, Stephanie Jones, Stephen Jones, Charles Kuettel, Ted Wallace

Clerk’s Report

Copies of the minutes were distributed to attendees and they were given time to read it. Wilson motioned to approve the minutes, Dressen seconded, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay, Dressen yay.

Treasurer’s Report

DECEMBER 2024

Total Funds on Hand 12/1/2024 $273,596.96
Plus: Deposits $25,056.68
–Interest on Accounts 681.48
–Tax apportionment 23,640.20
–Township Aid 735.00
Less: Disbursements $16,086.89
–Payroll 2,062.65
–Other Expenses 1,524.24
–Fire & EMS 12,500.00
Total Funds on Hand 12/31/2024 $282,566.75
Checks Written 2096-2115

JANUARY 2025
Expected Receipts – None
Checks Written 2116-2123 $1,865.66
No transfer to checking needed

Dressen motioned to approve the treasurer’s report, Wilson seconded, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay, Dressen yay.

Old Business

• Update on West Branch Road from Chair Nelson:

While researching how wide the West Branch Road easement is, Jim Wilson found his deed. The easement is 66 feet wide. I found a survey of my property and it has the same 66-foot road easement. This is exactly what John Wilson has been saying for some time. There have been questions about our right as a township to trim the trees and brush from alongside the roadway. The actual pavement in front of my house measured 25 feet. That means the shoulder easement is over 10 feet on each side within which we have been well within the limits of our authority for clearing. The last few properties on the road do not have the 66-foot easement and is only the width of the pavement. Jim also found the petition to create the road as a township road. It was created on February 2, 1978, with signatures of the property owners along West Branch Road. The petition was granted on March 7, 1978 by Alden Township. Pequaywan Township was not created until 1980.

Minnesota Association of Township (MAT) attorney has not answered my questions about creating a fine for road violations but I will keep trying.

I have completed the letter to the Township landowners along West Branch Road on the creation of the Subordinate Service District. After proofreading, I will be mailing it shortly.

• Update on Invasive Species grant request: result of the decision will be sent to the clerk.
• Discussion on Public Purpose Doctrine email from Minnesota Association of Townships (MAT) handed out by Doug Dressen last November 2024 meeting.

Public purpose doctrine is defined by the courts as “such an activity as will serve as a benefit to the community as a body and which at the same time, is directly related to the functions of government. The board is the road authority for the township. Courts consider road authorities to have both a common law and statutory duty to keep their roads reasonably maintained. The public purpose doctrine is based on constitutional provisions and states that public funds may only be spent for public purposes.”

• March Town Election:
  (a) January 14 at 5:00 p.m. – deadline to submit Affidavit of Candidacy for Supervisor position
  (b) February 7-March 10 – Absentee Voting dates, contact clerk Wallace for questions at peqclerk@gmail.com
  (c) March 11, 2025, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Pequaywan Firehall- town election
  (d) Donald Swanstrom submitted an Affidavit of Candidacy for the supervisor position.
• Laptops update: Daisy Wallace activated Microsoft Office 365 on the four laptops. Updated Windows 11, created new user account, clean-up unnecessary files. Wallace reported that the laptop going to the deputy clerk is ready for transfer and her new laptop is working great. Barnes downloaded, installed and updated Bit Defender Total Security on the four laptops using his personal account and will not charge the township; and copied files to new treasurer laptop. Carol was having trouble accessing Microsoft Office 365 as it refers access back to the former treasurer’s personal email account wherein which Daisy had been advised and will work on it.

New Business 

• Guest speaker from Pequaywan Fire  Department discussed next years’ budget requirements – the fire department is requesting $30,000.00 for 2026. They provided a list of proposed expenses for 2025 budget.
• Weed Inspector contract pay rate increase request for approval from $20.00 to $30.00 – Dressen motioned to approve $30.00 pay rate to the Weed inspector, Wilson seconded, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay, Dressen yay. The weed inspector specified that homeowners may request inspection on their property without charge.
• New law requiring townships that administer absentee ballots to change their website to .gov – to be discussed at a later date. Deadline to change is June 2026.
• Boundary and Annexation Survey – Nelson will review the old file
• Board of Audit Meeting scheduled after the January Board Meeting
• Due to the March Town Election from 5:00-8:00 p.m., March Annual Town Meeting will start at 8:20 p.m. followed by March Town Board Meeting

Correspondence

Received:

• Email and postage mail from St. Louis County Planning and Zoning re-draft of the Floodplan Ordinance
• Email from St. Louis County Elections re-new Affidavit of Candidacy form stating additional requirement that the candidate provide an ID with their home address in the township
• Email from the Department of Revenue stating that the Board of Appeal and Equalization Training is live and available for all voting local and county board members
• Email from St. Louis County to fill out the Annual Report of Outstanding Indebtedness for 2024 and return the completed form to them by February 1, 2025
• Email from the U.S. Census Bureau re- 2025 Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) – to review and update the legal boundary, name, and status information the Census Bureau has the townships
• Invoice from Daisy Wallace for December 2024 web maintenance in the amount of $212.50
• Postage mails from St. Louis County Elections, State of Minnesota, and Minnesota Association of Townships re-instructions, sample of election forms

Sent: None

Public Comment: None

The Public Comment section is a courtesy extended to persons wishing to address the Board. If you wish to comment during the Township Meeting, follow the protocol below. One public comment per citizen which is limited to two minutes. Submit request by the first Saturday of the month to peqclerk@gmail.com with your full name and comment information. The board can either address the issue, assign someone to address the issue, or do nothing.

Next Meetings: Pequaywan Firehall

• February 11, 2025, 7:00 p.m., Town Board Meeting
• February 11, 2025, Budget Meeting, after Town Board Meeting
• March 11, 2025, 8:20 p.m. Annual Town Hall Meeting
• March 11, 2025, Town Board Meeting right after the Annual Town Hall Meeting

Meeting was motioned to adjourn at 7:55 p.m. by Dressen, seconded by Wilson, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay, Dressen yay.

Respectfully submitted by,
Lita Wallace, Clerk

Meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Vice-Chair Wilson.

Attendance: 

Town officers Present: Vice-Chair Jim Wilson, Chair Douglas Nelson (by phone), Clerk Lita Wallace, Treasurer Carol Nelson (by phone) Deputy treasurer Ray Barnes

Town officers absent:  Supervisor Douglas Dressen, Deputy clerk Shane Stolp

Guests: Dorothy Galinski, Charles Kuettel, Ted Wallace

Clerk’s Report

Copies of the minutes were distributed to attendees and they were given time to read it. Nelson motion to approve the minutes, Wilson second, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay. Dressen yay.

Treasurer’s Report

NOVEMBER 2024
Total Funds on Hand 11/1/2024 $272,085.13
Plus: Deposits $3,180.51
–Interest on Accounts 3,060.01
–Road Permit 120.50
Less: Disbursements $1,668.68
–Payroll 1,209.26
–Other Expenses 459.42

Total Funds on Hand 11/30/2024 $273,596.96
Checks Written 2088-2095

DECEMBER 2024
Expected Receipts Apportionment $23,436.44
YE Adjustment 203.76
Checks Written 2096-2115 $16,086.89
No transfer to checking needed

Nelaon motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report, second by Wilson, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay.

Carol Nelson reported that she and Barnes finally were able to determine with the help of the State Auditor’s Office on how to correct the data entry of the Social Security tax deducted from the election judges’ salaries. This will enable the township to issue correct W-2 income to the judges. In addition, they will receive a refund for the Social Security tax deducted from their income. The township will receive refund from the Social Security office that was paid for the employee and township portion. The treasurer will submit an Amended Form 941 for this effect.

Old Business

• FYI: Nothing to report on West Branch Road
• FYI: On December 7th, Pequaywan Lake Area Fire Department had all their rigs burning the community pile at Rossini Road. The township thanks the Fire Department.
• FYI: waiting for a response from Township Association lawyer for help with the idea on road limit violations.
• Update on installing Microsoft Office for the two new laptops: Since C. Nelson prefer to have the installation done this month, Wallace asked approval from the board to have Daisy, our webmaster, do the installation. Nelson motion to approve, Wilson second. Wilson yay, Nelson yay.
• Invasive Species RFP grant (Bonnie Dressen) – Bonnie is not present at the meeting, this is scheduled next month.
• Proposed 2025 budget plans for Pequaywan Fire Department – Fire Chief Tom Getchell was not able to attend the meeting so is re-scheduled next month.

New Business

• Candidacy Filing for supervisor position open for voting at March Town Election: Wallace reported that there is one open Supervisor position for the March Town Election. Supervisor Douglas Dressen’s term ends in March 2025.The Affidavit for Candidacy form is available by:
  (1) contacting clerk Wallace at peqclerk@gmail.com; or
  (2) access and print the form from https://www.sos.state.mn.us/media/1027/affidavit-of-candidacy.pdf

The Affidavit of Candidacy form must be submitted to the clerk between December 31, 2024 and by 5:00 p.m. on January 14, 2025. There is a new requirement for candidates to show proof of residence in the district in which they are filing for office,

Correspondence

Received:

• Email from St. Louis County Elections re-instructions and information on March Town Elections
•  Workers’ Compensation invoice from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025 ($276.00) and Workers’ Compensation Audit information from MATIT Insurance
• Email from St. Louis County Assessor’s Office that the Local Board of Appeal Equalization (LBAE) /Training by the Department of Revenue is now available online
• Invoice from Daisy Wallace for November web maintenance in the amount of $25.00

Sent: 

• Re-sent updated list of town officers to St. Louis  County Elections
• Sent Public Notice of Town Election 2025 timeline to St. Louis County Elections

Public Comment: The Public Comment section is a courtesy extended to persons wishing to address the Board. If you wish to comment during the Township Meeting, follow the protocol below. One public comment per citizen which is limited to two minutes. Submit request by the first Saturday of the month to peqclerk@gmail.com with your full name and comment information. The board can either address the issue, assign someone to address the issue, or do nothing.

Public Comment Request:

Next Meeting:  January 14, 2025, 7:00 p.m., Pequaywan Fire Hall

Meeting was motion to adjourn at 7:20 p.m. by Nelson, Wilson second, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay.

Respectfully submitted by
Lita Wallace, Clerk

Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Nelson.

 Attendance:  

Town officers: Chair Douglas Nelson, Vice-Chair James Wilson, Supervisor Douglas Dressen, Clerk Lita Wallace, Treasurer Carol Nelson, Deputy Treasurer Ray Barnes

Absent: Deputy Clerk Shane Stolp

Guests: Bonnie Dressen, Stephanie Jones, Stephen Jones, Deb Pomroy, Daryle Waldriff, Ted Wallace

Clerk’s Report

Copies of the minutes were distributed to attendees and they were given time to read it. Dressen motion to approve the minutes, Wilson second, motion carried. Nelson yay, Dressen, yay, Wilson yay.

Treasurer’s Report

OCTOBER 2024
Total Funds on Hand 10/1/2024 $276,228.12
Plus: Deposits $406.55
–Interest on Accounts 406.55
Less: Disbursements $4,549.54
–Payroll 1,268.45
–Other Expenses 931.17
–Payroll 941 Report 1,113.67
–St. Louis County 2024-2025- 1/2 Snow Plowing 1,236.25
Total Funds on Hand 10/31/2024 $272,085.13
Checks Written 2073-2087

NOVEMBER 2024
Expected Receipts NONE
Checks Written 2088-2095 $1,663.68
No transfer to checking needed

Treasurer Nelson proposed opening two (2) CD’s at $50,000 each with the National Bank of Commerce. Nelson reported that she will be closing the CD’s with Superior Choice Credit Union.

Dressen motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report, second by Wilson, motion carried. Nelson yay, Dressen, yay, Wilson yay.

Old Business

• Update on West Branch Road by Chair Nelson: On October 30th, we received notice from St. Louis County that our application for snow removal on the West Branch Road had been approved. This was a welcome notice after all the work that had been done removing trees, trimming edges and removing everything overhanging the road. I did a second ride along with Kelly Gronsorowski from St. Louis County and he said we did a really good job. Thanks goes to Jim Wilson, Brian Von Arb, Chris Sands, Jeff Somrock and Jim Hacking. We learned a lot from this project and will be able to do a more efficient job when we are required to do it next time. The residents along the West Branch Road stopped to talk to use and thank us for what we were doing. I received no complaint about cutting the trees that were a problem for the plow.

Kelly reminded me of the area that needs to be patched next year before he signs off on the plowing contract again. I am working with Kevin Smalley with Sinnot Blacktop to set up a game plan for next spring to do the repairs and possibly seal coat the patches that have been done in the past to extend their useful life. We are going to set up a meeting for next week and as soon as I have that information, I will advise everyone.

While working the ditches along the West Brand Road, I discovered a second culvert in a different location than the two main culverts. I have no history on this culvert as to when it was installed.

The Subordinate Service District has been on the back burner with most of our time being devoted to road maintenance. I will begin working on this again very soon.

• Status of Invasive Species grant money by Bonnie Dressen – RFP due at 4:30 p.m. on November 22, 2024 – Bonnie has been working on it and will submit an RFP on the deadline date.
• Update on election process and open hours for voting: Wallace reported that there were a total of 95 in person voting and 29 absentee voting. Forty five voters voted between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. almost half of the voters who voted in person. Due to this, the board decided that they are not going to propose any changes on the start time of voting for all state and federal elections which will remain at 7:00 a.m.
• Purchase of a tarp for covering burn pile. 20 X 20 medium duty at Northern Tool costs $29.99 (20 x 30 HD costs 89.99): For this purpose, an agreement between Daryle Waldriff and the board to purchase a 20’x100′ tarp from Waldriff for $125.00.
• Setting a fine for violation of load limits tabled from last month: D. Nelson said that he contacted the MAT attorney Steve Fenske, General Counsel for advise on this matter but have not hear back as of yet. Again, I will keep you updated as I receive information. Looking to implement this in spring.
• Laptop estimate costs – Barnes proposed buying two HP laptop for $630.00 each which will be for the clerk and treasurer. The laptops now in possession of the clerk and treasurer will be transferred to the deputies. The board requested for Wallace to contact John Wall to help install Microsoft Office.  Dressen motion to approve purchase of two laptops for $630.00 each, second by Wilson, motion carried. Nelson yay, Dressen, yay, Wilson yay.

• FYI: 2024-2025 Snow plowing contract of West Branch Road with St. Louis County was approved after the supervisors with community help cleared the trees and brush along the road as required by the county
• CTAS/Social Security Tax: in the past elections, Social Security were taken from election judges’ salary. C. Nelson and Barnes are working with the State’s CTAS folks on how to correct it in CTAS.
• Discussion on distance of the easement: (Action) – Wilson will locate his deed to check what is says about easement.
• Signs will be posted in the township that says:

“Pequaywan Lakes Area Association
Wake Boats are Prohibited on Pequaywan Lake
Thank you”

New Business

• Minnesota Association of Townships is inviting officers to join them for “Township Day at the Capitol” on January 27, 2025. They will pay registration fee.

Correspondence

Received:

• Various election information materials from St. Louis County including Absentee Ballot voter names, rosters and other items needed for the General Election on November 5.
• Email from St. Louis County re-new proposed ordinance which prohibits the operation of cannabis businesses.
• Invitation to participate on the Township Day at the Capitol.

Sent:None

Public Comment: The Public Comment section is a courtesy extended to persons wishing to address the Board. If you wish to comment during the Township Meeting, follow the protocol below. One public comment per citizen which is limited to two minutes. Submit request by the first Saturday of the month to peqclerk@gmail.com with your full name and comment information. The board can either address the issue, assign someone to address the issue, or do nothing.

Public Comment Request: None

Next Meeting, December 10, 7:00 p.m., Pequaywan Firehall

Meeting was motion to adjourn at 7:50 p.m. by Dressen, Wilson second, motion carried. Nelson yay, Dressen, yay, Wilson yay.

Respectfully submitted by
Lita Wallace, Clerk

Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Nelson.

Attendance:

Town officers: Chair Douglas Nelson, Vice-Chair James Wilson, Supervisor Douglas Dressen, Clerk Lita Wallace, Treasurer Carol Nelson, Deputy Treasurer Ray Barnes

Guests: Bonnie Dressen, Charles Kuettel, Deb Pomroy, Daryle Waldriff, Ted Wallace

Clerk’s Report: Copies of the minutes were distributed to attendees and they were given time to read it. Dressen motion to approve the minutes, Wilson second, motion carried. Nelson yay, Dressen, yay, Wilson yay.

Treasurer’s Report

SEPTEMBER 2024
Total Funds on Hand 9/1/2024 $278,559.14
Plus: Deposits $418.23
–Interest on Accounts 418.23
Less: Disbursements $2,749.25
–Payroll 2,093.42
–Other Expenses 220.83
–Hanft Fride 435.00
Total Funds on Hand 9/30/2024 $276,228.12
Checks Written 2055-2072
Void check 2053 – paper jam

OCTOBER 2024
Expected Receipts NONE
Checks Written 2073-2086 $3,313.29
No transfer to checking needed

Treasurer Nelson requested to have a blank check signed by officers for snow plowing as it might be due before the November meeting.

Dressen motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report and the request to sign a blank check, Wilson second, motion carried. Nelson yay, Dressen, yay, Wilson yay.

Old Business

• Update on West Branch Road cleaning for St. Louis County Snow Plow contract for 2024-2025 by Chair Nelson: “I did a ride along with St. Louis County Road Supervisor Kelley Gronsorowski on the West Branch Road to survey the work that has been done to renew our plowing contract. He informed me it was not sufficient and pointed out where more work was needed before he would give his OK. They want all the small trees, overhanging trees and anything that might interfere with the snow plow. He wants a 25′ wide corridor with nothing leaning or growing in that zone. I want to thank especially Jim Wilson for his dedication to getting this work done. At one point, he was on the road cutting trees and brush for eight straight days. As he would say not full eight hour days but several hours each time. Neighbors along the West Branch Road came out to help including Chris Sands, Jim Hacking and Brian VonArb. We greatly appreciate their help as this is a very large project to satisfy the county. Supervisor Doug Dressen got estimates to have private contractors do the work as follows: Rick’s Tree and Stump at $22,548.75; and Duluth Tree Service at $39,430.00. John Wilson sent a crew he has worked with called Treety Outdoor Services and they gave us a bid of $9,000.00. None of these were in the budget we set last meeting which was $4,000.00 so we elected to do it ourselves at a huge savings for the township. Kelley Gronsorowski also pointed out a bad spot in the blacktop that will be a problem for the plow but said he will put it on next year’s list of repairs needed before contract signing. He said he would like the work completed by October 15 and then reinspect. So the work goes on!”
• Invasive species grant money: St. Louis County is soliciting proposals to prevent the introduction or limit the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in St. Louis County. St. Louis County is the recipient of $707,992.00 grant aid funds for AIS prevention. Applications are due by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, November 22, 2024. Bonnie Dressen volunteered to research if Pequaywan Lakes qualify.
• Results of tree disposal from Saturday, October 5th report from Chair Nelson: “We had our second tree disposal site on October 5. Much smaller numbers than in the spring but we still had 11 loads of trees and brush delivered to the site. I want to thank the people who came and helped. Chuck Kuettel, Jim Wilson and Steven Jones who brought homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies made by his wife. Mark Freeman from the fire department has been discussing how and when to burn for us. He said this was a very valuable service provided by the township as it reduces fire materials from our home and accidentally starting a fire out of control. There was a discussion about putting a large tarp over some of the pile to keep off the snow so it would be easier to ignite and burn. The last attempts at burning the pile was unsuccessful as the wood was too wet and would not ignite. I will price out a tarp.”

A resident mentioned that he has some huge tarps he can sell to the township. The supervisors will check it out.

• Vehicle axle weight limit of 7-ton axle: There is a sign at the entrance to Pequaywan Township at West Branch Road regarding this restriction. An overweight permit can be requested for a fee. A question and discussion arises as what to do if an individual is caught without a permit. A suggestion to contact the town lawyer and table the issue for next meeting to determine how to enforce it.
• Wake boats: Dressen motion to support that the township put up a sign stating “Wake boats are prohibited in Pequaywan Township” as recommended by DNR (Department of Natural Resources. Some residents  volunteered to donate signs. Second by Wilson, motion carried. Nelson yay, Dressen, yay, Wilson yay.

New Business

• • 2024 General Election Information (Absentee voting, election date, polling place, time, election judges, Public Accuracy Test) – Wallace reported the following: (1) Absentee Voting information has been posted on posting places. (2) General Election is scheduled on Tuesday, November 5, 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Pequaywan Firehall. (3) Election judges are Shane Stolp, Bonnie Dressen and Jane Strom. (4) Public Accuracy Test will be scheduled after the ballots are picked up from the county when available for pick-up. To answer a question whether a township can start later than 7:00 a.m. The answer is yes, if the township has less than 500 voters and election can start no later than 10:00 a.m. It must be approved by the voters during the  March Annual Meeting. Wallace mentioned that she researched the time voted during the last few years from 2006 to 2024, the voters approved a start of 7:00 a.m. Nelson instructed Wallace to add the topic for discussion in next year’s March Annual Town meeting.
• Acquisition of two new laptops for the clerk and treasurer. Also Adobe Acrobat software for the use of the clerk. If a purchase is made, the current laptops used by the clerk and treasurer will go to the deputy clerk and deputy treasurer. The laptops used by the deputies were purchased in 2015 and the ones used by the clerk and treasurer were purchased in 2017 or 2018.

Correspondence

Received:

• Invoice from Daisy Wallace, web administrator, in the amount of $25.00 for the month of September
• Invoice from Deborah Pomroy, Noxious Weed Surveyor, in the amount of $480.00 and $32.23 for mileage during the period of July 12 to July 27, 2024
• Various emails from St. Louis County Elections re-General Election information and pick-up of election ballots and other materials
• Email from St. Louis County Planning and Zoning that RFP (grant) for Aquatic Invasive Species is now open
• Email from St. Louis County Auditor’s Office confirming receipt of the 2025 Levy Form

Sent: None

Public Comment: The Public Comment section is a courtesy extended to persons wishing to address the Board. If you wish to comment during the Township Meeting, follow the protocol below. One public comment per citizen which is limited to two minutes. Submit request by the first Saturday of the month to peqclerk@gmail.com with your full name and comment information. The board can either address the issue, assign someone to address the issue, or do nothing.

Public Comment Request: Lake Loss Directory. This request was declined as it is a Pequaywan Lake Association business and not township business.

Nelson motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m., Dressen second, motion carried. Nelson yay, Dressen, yay, Wilson yay.

Next Meeting, November 12, 2024, 7:00 p.m., Pequaywan Firehall

Respectfully submitted by,
Lita Wallace, Clerk