The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Chair Douglas Nelson
Attendance:
Town officers present: Supervisor Douglas Nelson, Supervisor James Wilson, Supervisor Don Swanstrom, Clerk Lita Wallace, Deputy Clerk Shane Stolp, Treasurer Carol Nelson, Deputy Treasurer Ray Barnes
Guests: Karen Jussila, Mark Johnson, Stephanie Jones, Stephen Jones, Doug Dressen, Bonnie Dressen, Deb Pomroy, Ray Barnes, Deb Pomroy, Ted Wallace, Jeff Westman
Clerk’s Report
Wallace presented the April 2025 minutes. Swanstrom motioned to approve the minutes, Wilson seconded, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay, Swanstrom yay.
Treasurer’s Report
APRIL 2025
Total Funds on Hand 4/1/2025 $282,065.90
Plus: Deposits $3.98
-Interest on Accounts 3.98
Less: Disbursements $2,905.97
-Payroll 1,210.50
-941 Quarterly Federal taxes 1,327.44
-Other expenses 368.03
Total Funds on Hand 4/30/2025 $279,163.91
Checks Written 2129-2138
MAY 2025
Expected Receipts: None
Checks Written 2149-2155 $2,497.13
No transfer to checking needed
Treasurer Nelson noted that while the fire department had a $50,000 grant approved for new radios, the funds for the down payment on the radios must be paid before the grant money can be released. She therefore requested authorization to write half the amount for radios up to $25,000. The fire department will send us the money back once they receive the grant proceeds. James Wilson motioned to approve the Treasurer’s Report and the fund advancement, second by Swanstrom, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay, Swanstrom yay.
Old Business
- West Branch Road Update (Sinnot Blacktop Company, Subordinate Service District): Supervisor Nelson is waiting for the contractor to have time to meet and review the road condition and repairs necessary in order to have the County plow next year. Nelson will present a full report after that meeting. Nelson received the final wording from the town attorney and created a list of all property owners, their parcel id, and a spot for signatures. Wilson will start collecting signatures.
- Update on purchase of new radios by Pequaywan Fire Department from a grant: Treasurer Nelson noted that we have to do this grant funding through Pequaywan, pay for half of the radios and then the fire department can submit for final funding at which time the Township will be refunded. While the department is receiving 10 radios thru this grant it does leave them one short.
- Mediacom update/Mediacom wants to bring fiber optics from Jean Duluth Road to Northstar, Pequaywan and up to White Lake: Town board sent letter of support for Mediacom in April. Frontier called after and asked for the board support for extending this from Pequaywan Township to all of Ault Township. After considering pricing from both and the limited time to respond, Nelson sent a letter of support for Frontier as well knowing the State makes a final determination on which entity receives the grant.
- Amazon Business Prime Update: Wallace followed up on an advertisement from for a free Amazon Business Prime for townships. Upon further investigation it was $499 or $1,299 after two years of free membership. Advantages include free shipping, invoiced monthly, and a line of credit of $5,000. Clerk recommends not doing the Amazon Prime as it is not used enough.
- Memorial tree planting Resolution: Supervisor Wilson requested modifying last month’s board approval of the memorial tree planting to allow plaques in addition to the trees. Wilson motioned to approve the change to the resolution of withdrawing the plaque choice, seconded by Swanstrom, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay, Swanstrom yay.
- MATIT consolidated insurance policy: Coverages were reviewed and a change is needed for the new voting machines to be listed and the old ones removed. Due to the value of the machines being similar no change is expected on the premium. A resident inquired if the township land should be insured and after a brief discussion determined no action required. Don Swanstrom motioned to approve the MATIT policy with the voting machine change from Automark to OmniBallot, seconded by Wilson, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay, Swanstrom yay.
- In response to a down tree on the Pequaywan walking trail, thanks to Jim Wilson who went out and cut down the fallen tree
- As part of St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office’s preparedness efforts, they are conducting a Community Hazard and Vulnerability Assessment with a survey to help Emergency Management and other response officials identify the top threat and hazards that may affect our community. The supervisors will work together after the board meeting to complete the survey and send off.
- Reminder: Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. is the next drop-off date to dispose off dead trees at township property at the corner of Rossini Road and Pequaywan Lake Road
New Business
- The Pequaywan Area Lakes Association President presented a concern to the board over a posted sign along Highway 44 that had their name on it without the Association’s authorization which he has since removed. The concern on the sign goes against the Association’s mission of educate, encourage and discourage and their understanding of lack of authority. A lengthy discussion on the signs followed with a resident stating they installed it to drive conversation and apologized for doing so. Doug Nelson motioned that signs stating “Wake boats are prohibited with the Pequaywan Lake Association name on it” will not be allowed to be posted without approval from the Association, seconded by Wilson, motion carried. Nelson yay, Swanstrom yay, Wilson yay.
Correspondence
Received:
- Invoice from Daisy Wallace in the amount of $25.00 for April website maintenance
- Invoice from St. Louis County Public Works Department for 2nd half snowplowing billing in the amount of $1,236.25
- Invoice from MATIT for Consolidated Liability Coverage in the amount of $1,004.00
- Invoice from MAT for Spring Short Course Registration attendance $225.00 (Swanstrom, Wallace, Stolp) and four 2025 Government Manuals $80.00 = $305.00
Sent: None
Public Comment:
- Resident stated that St. Louis County has an ordinance regarding only one licensed RV allowed per taxable parcel unless a different parcel classification is obtained. He would like to place a sign notifying residents of this requirement. The Pequaywan Lakes Association President commented they could include notice in their address directory to help educate residents. Supervisor Nelson requested resident to obtain some more information on the ordinance and come back to the Town Board.
- Supervisor Swanstrom raised concern about the dead trees in the Township. Discussion on prior years’ removal of trees using the DNR Firewise Grant was had. Swanstrom will look into this and present at next meeting his findings.
Next Meeting, June 10, 2025, 7:00 p.m., Pequaywan Firehall
The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by:
Shane Stolp, Deputy Clerk
Lita Wallace, Clerk