Present: Mark Freeman, Scott Mead, Rick Fry
Absent: April Smitke, Keith Stoneburner
4 residents present
Next meeting set for March 8, 2011 Annual Meeting
Meeting called to order at 7:30 PM by Chairman Freeman
Minutes for the previous meeting were read and approved
Old business:
Logging has been completed for now on the West Branch Road. A second cut is tentatively scheduled for late fall or winter of 2011.
New business:
It was reported that the DNR lake access lot was officially posted. No confirmation was given.
The new DNR plan for controlling invasive species is a basic rehash of the previous plan. No real improvement. Contact your representatives to express your personal preferences. Representative David Dill, and Senator Tom Bakk represent this area.
There is a possible “bacteria”, which kills both Zebra Mussels and Quagga Mussels. To this point there is a 100% kill rate in limited area tests with no known effects on native populations. It does not kill any other invasive species.
Supervisor Mead attended The Lake Superior Bi-national Forum’s Public Input Session on February 4, 2011. It was held at the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College in Cloquet. It was very informative and stressed some of the major failures concerning mining in Minnesota, including regulations not being followed, permits not renewed or applied for. The Native American community feels that any mining should not cause environmental issues. That is currently not the case. The PH levels in most Northern Minnesota Lakes are at the high critical level, and any new mining will push these levels over the edge.
Supervisor Fry discussed whether or not mobile homes should be allowed on the lakes within the township. Currently, there is no ordinance that prohibits their use. St. Louis County, who manages building and land use within the township, does not ban the use of mobile homes on lake property. There are discrimination issues regarding banning their use. Any further discussion should be addressed at the annual meeting.
There was a discussion on the firehall and use of the 40 acres that the Township owns.
Discussed snow plowing or the lack of it on the West Branch Road. This occurred during mid-January when it snowed off and on for a week. The county portion of the road would get plowed but not the township portion. The township does contract with the county for plowing but that does not always mean that the whole road will be done. Extra payments have been offered by the township to plow every time but no payments have been made or requested. The township portion is evidently considered a non-primary road.
Any person needing a sign concerning snowmobiles should contact Ron Sluka or Ray Barnes.
Knapweed will be considered a primary noxious weed effective 3/1/2011. At that point the County will need to take action before they spread to private land. If the weed is currently on private land it will need to be taken care of.
Meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM