Category: Minutes

Call to Order

Attendance:  Supervisors Scott Mead, Lee Kaplan and Donald Swanstrom, Treasurer Raymond Barnes, Clerk Lita Wallace, three residents and one non-resident.

Clerk’s Report – Scott motioned to approve the April 2017 minutes, second by Donald, motion carried. (Scott yay, Donald yay, Lee refrained as he was not present at the meeting.)

Treasurer’s Report

March Treasurer’s Report

$249,180.15   Total cash on hand as of 2/28/17
$    7,901.21   Deposits
$    1,351.25   Disbursements
$255,730.11    Total cash

April Treasurer’s Report

$255,730.11    Total cash on hand as of 3/31/17
$        171.21   Deposits
$     1,339.58   Disbursements
$254,561.74    Total cash on hand as of 4/30/17

Lee motioned to approved the Treasurer’s Reports, second by Scott, motion carried. (Scott yay, Donald yay, Lee yay.)

Old Business

• Update on West Branch Road work – Scott, Lee and Donald will be meeting with Haugen Construction to discuss widening of the turnaround. They would like the project done this year. Donald received a call from the county informing him that a strip of blacktop had been accidentally plowed. Scott checked it and it was an area that was already loose.
• Township land clearing – as soon as road restriction is lifted, job will start sometime this month

New Business

• Discussion of procedure for replacing an Election Judge – Since one of the regular election judges is moving, an alternate judge has expressed an interest to replace her. Lita stated that the requirement is that during a national and state election, two of the judges must be affiliated with two major political parties, Democrat and Republican.
• Distribution of budget for 2018 Levy form for submission to St. Louis Co. – Lita submitted a breakdown of the budget which the supervisors reviewed and discussed. Don motioned to approve, Lee seconded, motion carried. . (Scott yay, Donald yay, Lee yay.)
• Term date of Clerk and Treasurer – Received an email from Minnesota Association of Townships wanting to verify if the Clerk and Treasurer positions are truly appointed positions and therefore will no longer be up for election every two years and will not have an end of term date.
• From the treasurer:

1. Where to put interest income from savings and money market – it was discussed that 80% will go to the Roads and Bridges Reserve Fund and 20% to General Fund.
2. Receipts for office supplies need to be submitted and accounted for as required by the state.
3. Scott and Donald will need to go to the Credit Union to be added to the account.
4. Ray is still trying to reconcile bank accounts. What he’ll do is keep $200 in the checking account at the end of the month after all the bills are paid. When paying bills, funds will be transferred from the savings account of the appropriate funds.
5. Ray discovered that in CTAS, some employees have more than one Employee ID# per job function. He explained that only one Employee ID# per employee is needed.

      Received: 

• Invoice from St. Louis Co. for 2016 Proposed Tax STMT Prep for $74.16
• Invoice from St. Louis Co. Public Works Dept for 2nd half billing of 2016-2017 Snowplow Season for $1,006.25
• Minutes of March Minutes from St. Louis Co. Association of Townships
• Letter from Minnesota Unemployment Insurance informing of due dates for 2017

Sent: None

Claims Report: Check numbers 1252-1257 totalling $1,900.59.

Public Comment

Next Meeting:  June 13, 2017, 7:30 p.m., Pequaywan Fire Department, 8764 Pequaywan Lake Road

Meeting was motioned to adjourn at 8:06 p.m. by Scott, second by Don, motion carried, (Scott yay, Lee yay, Donald yay).

Respectfully submitted by,
Lita Wallace, Town Clerk

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chair Scott Mead.

Attendance:  Supervisors Scott Mead and Donald Swanstrom, Treasurer Raymond Barnes, Clerk Lita Wallace, two residents present, one non-resident present.

Clerk’s Report – Scott motioned to approve the March 2017 minutes, second by Don, motion carried. (Scott yay, Donald yay)

Treasurer’s Report – Ray reported that he was unable to access the CapitalOne online account so he could not submit a Treasurer’s Report. He will coordinate with Lee Kaplan when he returns. Ray mentioned that the State requires a paper trail of the reconciliation statement of the bank accounts  thus, he will investigate the records and do what is required.

Old Business

• Local Board of Appeals Meeting, April 26, 5-6 p.m., Pequaywan Fire Department
• Logging contract – A contract was signed with Waste Wood Recyclers on March 31. Scott received a letter from John Wilson authorizing the removal of the strip of trees from his property adjoining south of Pequaywan Township property.
• West Branch Road work update – there is no new activity on this project. A resident reported that there was a frozen culvert and water was running over the road. Scott called the county and two hours later, it was fixed. The county will most likely charge the township for the work done.

New Business

• Salary of newly appointed treasurer is $20 per hour and $25 per meetings.
• Ray will set up filing quarterly federal withholding taxes electronically from the SCCU checking account during the first quarter of 2017
• Advantage of having all supervisors as additional signatories on the checking account in the absence of main signatories – Ray will arrange making an appointment with the credit union for Scott to Donald to be additional signatories.
• Election of Chair for 2017 – Scott asked Donald if he would like to act as Chair which he declined. Scott then volunteered to serve as Chair again. Don motioned, second by Scott, motion carried. (Scott yay, Donald yay)
• Ray suggested to convert the checks being used now to the larger business checks which would be more convenient and efficient to use. Scott and Don agrees.

Correspondence

Received:

• St. Louis County Association of Townships: February and March Minutes, SLCAT Lobby Day Registration Form

Sent:

• Letter of Certificate to the Office of MN Secretary of State re-Option B voted by residents during March township election
• List of current and elected town officers to Minnesota Association of Townships

Public Comment – None

Next Meeting:  May 9, 2017, 7:30 p.m., Pequaywan Fire Department, 8764 Pequaywan Lake Road

Meeting was motioned to adjourn at 7:50 p.m. by Don, second by Scott, motion carried, (Scott yay, Donald yay).

Respectfully submitted by,
Lita Wallace, Town Clerk

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 by Chair Scott Mead.

Attendance: Supervisors Scott Mead, Lee Kaplan and Donald Swanstrom; Treasurer Kim Hand; and Clerk Lita Wallace. Number of resident/s present –10; Number of non-resident/s present – 1

Clerk’s Report  – Copies of the minutes were provided to attendees. Scott motioned to approve the February 2017 minutes, second by Lee, motion carried. (Scott yay, Lee yay, Donald yay)

Treasurer’s Report

$246,774.52  Total cash on-hand as of 1/31/17
$     4,402.77  Deposits
$     1,997.14  Expenditures
_____________
$249,180.15  Total cash on-hand as of 2/28/17

Scott motioned to approve the Treasurer’s Report, second by Lee, motion carried. (Scott yay, Lee yay, Donald yay)

 Old Business

• Submission of CTAS 2016 Annual Report to State of Minnesota Auditor’s Office – Kim reported that it has been submitted. Deadline is March 31, 2017.
• March 14 Town Election results – Donald Swanstrom won the election for Supervisor, and Option B to Appoint a Town Treasurer was voted to pass. Just a note that an effort was made to solicit and publicize an opening for the treasurer position via newsletter, word of mouth and township webpage but no one came forward.
• West Branch Road widening – the county reiterates that they will not plow snow until the turnaround is widened. The estimated cost is $30,000.00. A further discussion about this issue was conducted during the March Annual Meeting.

New Business

• 2017 Local Board of Appeal & Equalization (LBAE) – April 26, 2017, 5:00-6:00 p.m., Pequaywan Fire Hall
• Transition of duties, Treasurer – With the passing of Option B in the ballot, Raymond Barnes, the treasurer at the Town of North Star, has agreed to work as treasurer for a term of two years. He has the knowledge needed for the position and will not need training.
• Terms of office for town officers elected at March Township elections begins on March 24, 2017
• Scott reported that Donald Swanstrom is the town’s Weed Inspector.

Correspondence

RECEIVED:

• Six Absentee Ballot requests; SLCAT (St, Louis County Association of Townships) – (1) January meeting minutes, (2) February Agenda , (3) Lobby Day, (4) Annual Election;
• Elections Department St. Louis County – (1) Master List of eligible voters for Pequaywan Township, (2) Absentee Ballot materials
• Duluth Area Township – Agenda and Minutes for January meeting
• Land & Minerals Dept, Government Services Center – 2017 MDA Noxious Weed List
• Email notification and payment of $2,316 to the township from St Louis County for 2016 Taconite Production Tax-2017 Distribution

SENT: Six Absentee Ballots  by postage mail

Claims:  Checks #1115 to 1119 in the total amount of $1,997.14

Public Comment – a resident asked who manages the town webpage.  She commented that an individual was having an issue finding the minutes on the town website and asked if there is a deadline on when minutes are put on the web. Lita Wallace responded that she enters Agenda and Minutes and Lee Kaplan manages the rest of the webpages. She also advised the resident on where to easily find the information and that there is no deadline on when minutes are put on the web but it is normally within a week.

Next Meeting: April 11, 7:30 p.m., Pequaywan Fire Department, 8764 Pequaywan Lake Road

Motioned to Adjourn by Scott at 9:12 pm., seconded by Don. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted
Lita Wallace, Pequaywan Town Clerk

The Annual Town Meeting was held at Pequaywan Fire Hall and convened at 8:12 p.m. with 21 residents and one non-resident present.

Meeting called to order: Town Clerk Lita Wallace called the meeting to order. Phyllis Mead volunteered to be moderator. Copies of 2016 Annual Meeting Minutes were provided to attendees and read by Phyllis. Correction on March 2016 Annual Minutes, Road Repair – change Cty 44 to Cty 256. Motioned by Kathy Sluka, seconded by Donald Swanstrom, none opposed, motion carried.

Result of Township Election – One Supervisor and Treasurer position were on the ballot this year. Results of the election are as follows:

• Supervisor: Donald Swanstrom (18 votes), write-ins: Dale Brooks (1), Doug Dressen (1), Daryl Waldriff (1)
• Treasurer, write-in (Bonnie Dressen (2) Keith Stonebrenner (1)
• Adoption of Option B: Yes (16), No (2)

Summary: Donald Swanstrom was elected as Supervisor and Option B to appoint a treasurer was voted to pass

Widening of West Branch Road:  St. Louis County would like the turn-around for the snow plow to be widened and snow bank pushed further. The county said that they will not plow snow unless the township provide a bigger turnaround. Discussions:

• Ballpark cost is $30,000.00.
• In completing this project, properties in those areas will be affected as trees would have to be cut down which could upset property owners.
• Can the township purchase its own snowplow truck instead of spending the money on the project? Someone offered to plow the snow. However, what happens if the individual is not available to do the plowing? Would there be volunteers to create a committee to study the pros and cons?
• How about abandoning the road? One argues that is not easy to do as what happened to a road in the nearby township.

Logging the township land:  Pequaywan township has an agreement with Wastewood Recyclers to clear all dead trees this summer and leave all pine and desirable species. Then, we’ll check next year if we need to transplant.

• Logging the township land – to get to the township land for logging, there is a wedge of land that the county is responsible for between the main road and the township land. The county wanted the town to pay $1078 (the estimated value of the lumber) to allow the township access to the area. They reneged on a deal for them to put an entry from Rossini Road to the town land without getting paid $1078. We offered to purchase the land for $1.078 but they declined as any sale has to be done thru bid.

Report from Pequaywan Fire & EMS:  Steve Pelto reported, on behalf of Dale Brooks, that there were 6-7 medical calls and two fire calls. They received two grants including gears for $80,000 worth of equipment.

FireWise:  Judy Strom reported that DNR grant was for $27,942.00. Township share was paid entirely through volunteer hours ($20,600.00 or 895.6 hours) most from cutting and removal of trees. The grant was used for:

• removal of trees two times during summer 2016, picked up and chipped at gravel pit, largest expense nearly $20,000.00
• mailing of Firewise materials to all township residents
• website, pequaywantownship.org/firewise
• new 911 address signs for those who did not have a sign or the new reflective 192 signs
• new updated directory mailed to all township property owners

Thanks to the committee: Judith Strom, Lee Kaplan, Phyllis Mead, Scott Mead, Marialice Arndt, Richard Arndt.

Set the levy:  Lee Kaplan motioned to set the levy for taxes at $30,000 for 2018, seconded by Doug Nelson, none opposed, motion carried. $13,500 of the levy will go towards Pequaywan Fire Department.

Set voting hours:
7:00 am – 8:00 pm, Primary and General Election
10:00 am – 8:00 pm, Special Primary and General Election
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Township Election
Motioned and seconded, none opposed, motion carried.

Monthly meeting date/time: Second Tuesday of each month, 7:30 pm at Pequaywan Fire Hall

Annual meeting date/time:  Second Tuesday during the month of March following the Town Election

March Town Meeting: meeting following the Annual Meeting

Posting Places: West Branch Road sign board; Pequaywan Fire & EMS bulletin board; Pequaywan Inn bulletin board; pequaywantownship.org website; pequaywan.com website

Annual Board of Appeals and Equalization date:  April 26, 2017, 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm, Pequaywan       Fire Hall

Citizen comments/concerns:  The Town thanks Kim Hand for her dedicated service as treasurer for the last two years.

Meeting was motioned by Lita Wallace, seconded by Doug Dressen to adjourn at 8:40 p.m. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted
Lita Wallace, Pequaywan Town Clerk

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 by Chair Scott Mead.

Attendance: Supervisors Scott Mead, Lee Kaplan and Don Swanstrom; Treasurer Kim Hand; and Clerk Lita Wallace. Number of resident/s present – 4; Number of non-resident/s present – 2

Clerk’s Report  – Scott motioned to approve the minutes, seconded by Lee, motion carried. (Scott yay, Lee yay, Don yay)

Treasurer’s Report

• Review of 2016 finances and budget for 2017
• $257,305.98 – Cash on hand as of November 30
  $     6,420.42 – Deposits
  $     2,271.51 – Expenditures
  __________
  $261,454.89– Cash on hand as of December 31
  Motioned to approve by Lee, seconded by Don, motion carried. (Scott yay, Lee yay, Don yay).

Old Business

• Form 941 – quarterly (vs. monthly) reporting is still applicable – township with less than $2500 quarterly tax liability, such as Pequaywan township, can continue to send quarterly distribution
• Treasurer position opening – the township needs a qualified individual to perform the duties of a treasurer. A notice had been sent out but there was no response. The opening was also posted on the township webpage. We may have to recourse to Option B as we did with the clerk position. Ray Barnes of North Star Township had served as their treasurer for a few years now. If Option B passes on the ballot, he is willing to take on the position.
• Logging on the Township land – Seeking assistance from St. Louis County to take care of getting permit from the state for access to a piece of land between Rossini and the township land.  Beth Peterson’s hourly rate is $27.38 per hour. More discussion later if the township will hire Beth and at what rate.

New Business

• Updated Timesheet/Expense Report Forms – updated to include 2017 mileage rates
• 2016 W2 Forms – will be available end of January
• Absentee ballot – contact Town Clerk Lita Wallace, peqclerk@gmail.com or 218-525-4068
• Tuesday, January 17, 2017 – last day for Candidate filing period, Clerk’s Office at 3081 Little Cloquet River Road, Duluth, will be open from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Correspondence

Received:

• Social Security Administration – 2016 W2 filing reminder
• MAT – Notice on Board of Equalization and Clerk Training
• Linda Britton – Notice of $20 DAT dues
• MN Dept of Ag (MDA) – mandatory annual report (MN Statute 18.81) on noxious weed concerns and needs of counties/townships due 1/15/17
• St Louis County Assessor’s Office – submission of LBAE training certificate due 2/1/17
• Minnesota Township Insider Magazine with 2017 Township Calendar
• MAT – Consolidated Liability Insurance Premium Notice for $973.00
• State of MN Secretary of State – Example Ballot requirements for March Township Election

Sent:

• 4Q 2016 MN Unemployment Report
• 4Q Form 941
• MN Dept of Ag form on noxious weed concerns

Claims and Payroll:  Checks #1111 to 1114 in the total amount of $15,212.57

Comment

• A resident suggested to hire a private citizen to plow snow in West Branch Road. Scott explained that if the township hires an individual to plow  snow and later on no longer be able to do the work, the township will then end up not having anyone to plow the road as the county will not do it anymore.
• Dale Brooks, Pequaywan Fire Chief, provided a report on the activities and financials of the Fire Department in 2016. The Fire Department is again requesting $13,500 proposed funding for 2018. Motion to approve by Lee, second by Don, motion approved. (Scott yay, Lee yay, Don yay)

Next Meeting:

February 14, 2017, 7:30 p.m., Pequaywan Fire Department, 8764 Pequaywan Lake Road

Motioned to Adjourn at 8:25 p.m. by Lee, seconded by Don, motion carried. (Scott yay, Lee yay, Don yay).

Respectfully submitted by,
Lita Wallace, Town Clerk

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 by Chair Scott Mead.

Attendance:

Supervisors Scott Mead, Lee Kaplan and Don Swanstrom; and Treasurer Kim Hand
Number of residents present – 5. Nonresidents – 1

Clerk’s Report

The minutes from the November meeting were approved following a motion by Don and a second by Lee. Motion approved, 3-0

Treasurer’s Report

$238,770.92 – Cash on hand as of Oct. 31
$20,083.83 – Deposits
$1,548.17 – Expenditures
$257,305.98 – Cash on hand as of Nov. 30,

Motion by Scott, seconded by Don, to approve the Treasurer’s Report. Motion carried, 3-0.

Old Business

• Township property. Lee will contact Beth Peterson, Southern St. Louis County Soil and Water District, to have her prepare a proposal and contract regarding her liaison with the county on necessary permits to access the property off Rossini and other coordination with the county as necessary, coordination of the work of Waste Wood Recyclers who will be clearing/logging the property, marking of the eastern boundaries of the township land, and a conservsation plan for future  plantings.

• Discussion of the contract with Waste Wood Recyclers. It was recommended that an end date be added to the contract to make sure the work is done.

•  Township Road. The county has required that work be done on West Branch Road to facilitate its plowing of the road. It has agreed to plow this year but said the work must be done by next winter. Scott will contact possible contractors to see if he can get a cost for the removal of various banks along certain parts of the road to prevent the plowed snow from falling back on the road and also to expand the turn around at the north end of West Branch Road. The cost is needed in time for the annual meeting in March and discussion of the annual levy.

• Treasurer’s Position. Residents will be notified that the position of treasurer is open for the upcoming term through an email/mailed letter right after Jan. 1  A job description of the position will  be attached. If there is not a qualified candidate, Option B will be voted on at the annual meeting which allows the township to appoint a treasurer. There is a treasurer in another township who has agreed to serve if no resident can. The job description is also posted on the township website.

New Business

• Don agreed to be the Weed Inspector. The State has required that the township complete  a weed control report and appoint a weed inspector regarding noxious or hazardous weeds.

• Scott reported on his attendance at the annual Minnesota Township Association meeting on broadband internet on Nov. 18.

• Scott read a letter to be sent to the St. Louis County Commissioners stating the township’s support of Normanna Township’s land use plan. Scott made a motion to approve the letter. Lee seconded. Motion passed.

• January agenda – items for inclusion should be sent to Kim Hand in the absence of clerk Lita Wallace.

Claims and Payroll

• Check numbers: 1097 to 1110. in the total amount of $2,271.51

Next meeting: January 10 at 7:30 a.m., Pequaywan Fire Department, 8764 Pequaywan Lake Road

Motion of Adjourn meeting by Scott, second by Don. Motion passed, 3-0.  Meeting adjourned at 8:35.

Minutes submitted by Judy Strom.

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chair Scott Mead.

Attendance:

• Supervisors Scott Mead and Don Swanstrom; Treasurer Kim Hand; and Clerk Lita Wallace
• Number of resident/s present – 3; Number of non-resident/s present – 1; guest Beth Peterson from St. Louis County

Clerk’s Report – The minutes from October meeting motioned for approval by Don, seconded by Scott, motion carried. (Don yay, Scott yay)

Treasurer’s Report

$255,926.34 — Total cash on hand as of 9/30/2016
$      3,449.60  — Add: Deposits
$    20,605.02 — Less: Expenditures (includes $19,870.00 Firewise charges)
$238,770.92       Total cash on hand as of 10/31/2016

Motion by Scott, second by Don, motion carried (Scott yay, Don yay.)

Old Business

• Logging in township property – Contract for logging with Wastewood Recyclers is in process. Discussion: (1) use chipped wood to cover the walking path; (2) put signs that says “No motorized vehicle” to prevent ATV’s from driving in the land; (3) on the contract, list items that the township wanted done such as: (a) keeping pines, spruce, maple and smaller birch trees; (b) cut everything else – bigger birch, balsam and aspen; (c) charge $1.00 to make it a legal contract; (d) put together a procedure working on the land to the north; (e) add an end date to the contract – full year or end of summer. Note: lead person and rep of loggers – Beth Peterson, St. Louis County, Soil, Water and Conservation District
• Action Plan for December meeting re-logging: finalize contract for timber sale; finalize conservation plan; acquire a driveway public access permit from St. Louis County Public Works to be able for loggers to access the logging area in the township land from Rossini Road; and contact Randy Roff of St. Louis County, to acquire access permit to the land owned by St. Louis County between Rossini Road and the township land for access to the logging area.
• Discussion of road maintenance – the big issue is enlarging the turnaround by getting rid of the banks with plan of completing before winter 2017.
• Treasurer Replacement – advertise in the Pequaywan Township and Pequaywan Association webpages; a resident interested in serving; inquire if the Treasurer in the nearby township would be interested in serving.
• Reminder: General Election, November 8, 7am to 8pm, Pequaywan Firehall
• Automark Public Accuracy Test – Sunday, November 6, 10:00 a.m.

New Business

• Scott attended the St. Louis County Township Meeting in Cotton and reported that the meeting was comprised mostly of politicians introducing themselves within which none of them applies to our area.
• Scott is planning to attend the Broadband part of the MAT Annual Meeting in St. Cloud on Friday, November 18 and is requesting if the township can pay for the $105.00 Registration Fee. He will cover transporation expense. Don motioned to approve, second by Scott, motion approved. (Don yay, Scott yay)

Correspondence

Received: Snowplow bill from St. Louis County in the amount of $1,006.25.

Public Comment – a resident is requesting if the township can be prepared to have a plan to answer questions for any township changes; i.e., dissolve township as was discussed at the last month’s meeting if a treasurer is not found or any other position in the township.

Claims and Payroll – Checks #1094-1096 in the total amount of $1,548.17.

Next Meeting:
December 13, 2016, 7:30 p.m., Pequaywan Fire Department, 8764 Pequaywan Lake Road

Motion to Adjourn at 8:35 p.m. by Scott, second by Don, motion carried. (Scott yay, Don yay)

Respectfully submitted by,
Lita Wallace, Town Clerk

The meeting was called to order by Chair Scott Mead at 7:30 p.m.

Attendance:

• Supervisors Scott Mead, Lee Kaplan and Don Swanstrom; Treasurer Kim Hand; and Clerk Lita Wallace
• Number of residents present – 7
• Number of non-residents present – 0

Clerk’s Report – Copies of  September minutes were  provided to attendees. Motion by Lee, second by Don with correction to change day of November meeting from Monday to Tuesday, motion carried  (Scott yay, Lee yay, Don yay.)

Treasurer’s Report

$259,739.06 — Total cash on hand as of 8/31/2016
$         220.61 — Add: Deposits
$     4,033.33 — Less: Expenditures
$255,926.34       Total cash on hand as of 9/30/2016

Motion by Scott, second by Don, motion carried (Scott yay, Lee yay, Don yay.)

Old Business

• Reminder: General Election, November 8, 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Pequaywan Firehall
• Financing options for major road repair: Determine the cost of the work for each portion of the project. Possibly get a loan from the Credit Union and/or increase the levy request for next year.
• Solving the turnaround snowplow problem, as well as, not having enough room to push the snow. Possible ways to solve the problems: the embankment towards the lake can be filled in; and make the current turnaround area  on a resident’s property bigger.
• Contingency Emergency Election and meeting location will be the Snowmobile Club building.
• Firewise Update: chipping is done and the total cost was $19,870 plus other expenses which is on-budget, below the $20,000 grant. Paperworks will be processed and submitted with checks paid and a report of the residents’ hours. Reimbursement is expected within a month. The Firewise committee was very impressed at the participation of the residents.

New Business

• Options for filling a vacant Treasurer position in 2017: (a) check with the community if they know someone who would be interested; (b) combine treasurer and clerk position, Option D, if clerk is interested (she is not); (c) if Kim decides to resign before the end of her term, appoint someone to replace her;  (d) dissolve the township if we can’t find someone to fill the position which could happen when we are not able to fill-in the supervisor position, as well. If township is dissolved, whatever funds left will go to St. Louis County to be used towards the repair of West Branch Road.

Correspondence

Received: St. Louis County Association of Townships meeting minutes for April 27, 2016 (approved) and May 25, 2016 (unapproved). Notice of General Election for posting from St. Louis County Election Department.

Claims and Payroll –  Check numbers 1088-1093 in the amount of $20,634.02.

Public Comment – None

Next Meeting: November 1, 2016, 7:30 p.m., Pequaywan Fire Department, 8764 Pequaywan Lake Road Duluth.

Motion to Adjourn at 8:20 p.m. by Scott, second by Lee, motion carried (Scott yay, Lee yay, Don yay.)

Respectfully submitted,
Lita Wallace
Township Clerk

The meeting was called to order by Chair Scott Mead at 7:30 p.m.

Attendance:

• Board members Scott Mead, Lee Kaplan and Don Swanstrom; Treasurer Kim Hand; and Clerk Lita Wallace
• Number of residents present – 7
• Number of non-residents present – 0

Clerk’s Report – Copies of August minutes were  provided to attendees. Motion by Don, second by Lee, motion carried  (Scott yay, Lee yay, Don yay.)

Treasurer’s Report

$254,525.06 — Total cash on hand as of 7/31/2016
$     6,835.75 — Add: Deposits
$     1,621.75 — Less: Expenditures
$259,739.06       Total cash on hand as of 8/31/2016

Motion by Don, second by Scott, motion carried (Scott yay, Lee yay, Don yay.)

Old Business

• West Branch Road easement and ongoing effort to repair it in preparation for the work the county will be doing in the next year or so – The potential buyer in the turnaround area as discussed in last month’s meeting was not happy with the second option to cut down trees. Continue working with St. Louis County for the work to be done in this road. Most likely, due to cost, class V materials will be used.

• Firewise Program Update – The last run of the chipper is September 19 and plan to be finished 1st week in October. Fire signs have been distributed to residents. Directory will be worked on and finish in the fall.

• Logging on the township property – contract expired mid-July. Scott made a phone call to them and sent a letter but the logging company did not respond. Scott inspected the area and reported that there are not a lot of salvageable timber in the land. A resident mentioned that the company was logging close to the area. Scott, Lee and Don went over to discuss what their plans are on logging on the township property. It was proposed to offer them the timber for free if they do a good job of cleaning and $6300 if not, which was the original contract.

• Highway 44 Work Update –  8/10 of a mile will be worked on this month in part of Highway 44 north of the Fire Department where yellow sticks have been placed in the location.

• Election Emergency Plan – If an emergency makes a polling place inoperable prior to election day, the governing official must identify an alternative polling location as near to the designated polling location as possible. A suggestion was made that the Snowmobile Club building would be a good substitute.

New Business

• November Town Meeting – Due to the Tuesday, November  8, General Election which will run from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., the November Town Meeting will be moved to Tuesday, November 1, 7:30 p.m.

Correspondence

Received: Materials from St. Louis County Election Department re-Election Emergency Plan.

Claims and Payroll –  Check numbers 1079 to 1087 in the amount of $4,004.33

Public Comment –

Next Meeting: October 11, 2016, 7:30 p.m., Pequaywan Fire Department, 8764 Pequaywan Lake Road Duluth.

Motion to Adjourn at 8:07 p.m. by Lee, second by Scott+, motion carried (Scott yay, Lee yay, Don yay.)

Respectfully submitted,

Lita Wallace
Township Clerk