The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Douglas Nelson.
Attendance:
Officers Present: Chair Douglas Nelson, Vice-Chair Donald Swanstrom, Supervisor James Wilson, Clerk Lita Wallace, Treasurer Carol Nelson, Deputy Treasurer Raymond Barnes
Officer Absent: Deputy Clerk Shane Stolp
Guests: Bonnie Dressen, Doug Dressen, Dale Gauthier, Lori Gherna, Al Hanson, Peggy Hanson, Stephen Jones, Jennifer Ludgate, Mike Nilsen, Nancy Nilsen, Ed Potter, Kathy Sykes, Tom Sykes, Brian Von Arb, Carmi Von Arb, Ted Wallace
Clerk’s Report
Wallace presented the September 2025 minutes. Wilson motioned to approve the minutes, Nelson seconded, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay. Swanstrom was a few minutes late so he was not able to vote.
Treasurer’s Report
SEPTEMBER 2025
Total Funds on Hand 9/1/2025 $270,198.97
Plus: Deposits $1,213.98
SLC – payment in lieu of taxes 35.19
Interest 1,178.79
Less: Disbursements $1,848.57
Payroll 874.75
Motorola – Radio batteries 617.10
Mowing of trail 200.00
Other expenses 156.72
Total Funds on Hand 9/30/2025 $269,564.38
Checks Written 2181-2191
OCT 2025
Expected Receipts
Fire Dept Radio Grant $47,959.23
Checks Written 2192-2198 $11,429.26
No transfer to checking needed
Nelson motioned to approve the minutes, Wilson seconded, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay.
Treasurer Nelson reported that we have $82,000.00 in the checking account and propose to purchase a new CD in the amount of $70,000.00 for five months maturity. Nelson motion to approve, Wilson second, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay. After further discussion, Nelson motion to amend the maturity to 13 months, Wilson second, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay.
Old Business
- Meeting with Steve Krasaway, the County Engineer, about the West Branch Road – update report by Chair Nelson: On Tuesday, September 23. Jim Wilson and I met with Steve Krasaway, St. Louis County engineer in charge of our area. The meeting was very productive with the following advice he gave us:
- We asked about the need to hire an engineer to create the plan to replace the road. He said it would be expensive at probably over $40,000.00. They do not hire an engineer when they replace roads as much is learned as they remove the old blacktop and have contingent funds to take care of problem areas. He did say it would cost about $10,000.00 to have a plan created for bidding purposes without all the core samples and other data, He said he will get us a contract to do this work.
- It would be the most cost effective to do the whole road at one time instead of breaking it up into 2 or 3 phases.
- Best case would be if we could piggyback onto their replacement of Pequaywan Lake Road County 44 next year as they would help with the design, etc. This is scheduled for 2026 and they have not yet let it out for bids.
- They will have a batch plant in the area to make the blacktop saving thousands of dollars. They currently pay $55.00 per ton. If we have to have it trucked in from Northland or Uland Bros, it will probably cost us $75.00 per ton.
- When removing the old blacktop there are two choices. They can grind it up and load it into trucks for proper recycling or they grind it up and leave it on the road for the new roadbed. It makes great roadbed material. Better than class 5 gravel. Problem is it raises the height of the road and affects people’s driveways. We can also collect the old blacktop and use it in low areas with poor base materials.
- Water is the number one enemy of blacktop. We should do what we can to keep water off the roadway. They slope the shoulders away at 24” along both sides. Our problem again is this change the heights of driveways and if we were to start excavating along our road, we have utilities in those areas that would have to be replaced.
- The question of how thick the blacktop should be was interesting. Normal work is a double life (2 layers) at about 3.5” thick. The thickness of the blacktop does not directly affect the longevity of the road. It’s all in the gravel bed that is properly installed. If a poor roadbed, the blacktop will deteriorate.
- We asked about proper maintenance and Steve said fill the cracks every year. You must stop moisture from getting under the blacktop.
- Asked about saving the patch areas we have recently done. He said, don’t bother as it’s not cost effective to start and stop.
- We toured the road and looked at the culverts and drainage.
- This is why we need a detailed plan of what we are going to do.
- Steve volunteered to help and even come to Township meeting to answer questions.
- Status of plowing contract: there is no update
- Brush disposal day on October 4 (Wilson): The day went pretty well. There were 20 loads. Thank you to those that helped.
- Revise bid to fill pot holes on West Branch Road (Wilson): Proposing to revise the $2,000.00 approved last month. Premier Company can do the job for $4,800.00. Wilson motion to amend the amount and hire Premier Company for $4,800.00, second by Swanstrom, motion carried. Wilson yay, Swanstrom yay, Nelson yay.
New Business
- Bid to mow shoulders along the West Branch Road: Wilson motion to hire someone to do the job for $750.00, second by Swanstrom, motion carried. Wilson yay, Swanstrom yay, Nelson abstain as he is related to the individual who will be working on the project.
- Mediacom meeting update (Wilson): Mediacom folks are very positive that the grant will pass and will be announced in December. Folks who attended the meeting suggested that we should request more cards for those not able to attend.
- Request by Rod Saline of North Star Township to pay half the cost of the banner signs used to promote the event: Nelson motion to approve $179.00 for half the cost of the banner signs, Swanstrom second, motion carried. Nelson yay, Swanstrom yay, Wilson yay.
Correspondence
Received:
- Invoice from Daisy Wallace for September web maintenance in the amount of $25.00.
- Letter from National Bank of Commerce that the Time Certificate in the amount of $31,462.70 will mature on October 12, 2025 and will renew if not redeemed.
Sent: None
Public Comment Request:
Next Meeting, November 11, 2025, 7:00 p.m., Pequaywan Firehall
Wilson motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:25 p.m., second by Swanstrom, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay, Swanstrom yay.
Respectfully submitted by:
Lita Wallace, Clerk