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
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- 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