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 Clerk Shane Stolp, Deputy Treasurer Ray Barnes
Guests: Bonnie Dressen, Dorothy Galinski, Stephanie Jones, Stephen Jones, Charles Kuettel, Deb Pomroy, 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
AUGUST 2024
Total Funds on Hand 8/1/2024 $270,992.50
Plus: Deposits $10,266.25
–Interest on Accounts 416.90
–DNR – payment in lieu of taxes 5,757.35
–Taconite Production 4,092.00
Less: Disbursements $2,699.61
–Payroll 310.66
–Other Expenses 379.95
–MATIT 1,009.00
–Hanft Fride 1,000.00
Total Funds on Hand 8/31/2024 $278,559.14
Checks Written 2042-2054
Void check 2053 – paper jam
SEPTEMBER 2024
Expected Receipts NONE
Checks Written 2055-2072 $2,749.25
Dressen motion to approve the treasurer’s report, Wilson second, motion carried. Nelson yay, Dressen, yay, Wilson yay.
Old Business
- Chair Nelson update on West Branch Road (Pequaywan Township Road #2412): Slowly making progress on the Subordinate Services District. I have created a database with every property owner along the township portion of West Branch Road, a total of 66 names with 80% seasonal cabins (53) and 20% residents (13). I am working on a letter survey to explain what we want to do and get their input. I will keep you posted on the survey results.
- Snow plowing contract report by Chair Nelson: Our application for renewal of the West Branch Road plowing contract has been returned back to us labeled rejected: “Following improvements needed to be made before they will approve the application.” County plow supervisor wants a 25″ wide corridor with all overhanging trees trimmed or removed. That’s the width of the pavement plus a 2 foot shoulder. I have been working with Kelly Gronsorowski from St. Louis County as he is the supervisor for the West Branch Road. He is asking that we have the work completed no later than October 15th and contact them for reinspection. There are several people who have said they would help but it will be a major task. The plow truck itself is 12′ high and they want any branches cut off that if covered with snow could hit the truck. This entails riding in the back of a pickup truck with a pole saw. Kelley explained they experienced broken hazard lights and antennas. The lights cost over $500.00 each and $100.00 for antenna plus labor to install. I want to explore hiring this out, maybe anyone who has done this for the township in the past. I request we set a budget not to exceed $4,000.00. We need approval now as the work needs to be done ASAP and we can’t wait until the next meeting to agree to the funding. There is money in the West Branch Maintenance Fund that can be used.
Nelson motion to approve $4,000.00 for the contract to trim the trees as required by St. Louis County, Dressen second, motion carried. Dressen motion to approve the minutes, Wilson second, motion carried. Nelson yay, Dressen, yay, Wilson yay.
A few folks have given contact information on companies that can do the project.
- Wake boat update: Talked with DNR. Suggested to post sign on the road and something for the Pequaywan Lake Association to do. The township cannot make a law or enforce it until the county make the law. All that the township can do is support the Association with a petition letter. The petition letter will go to Commissioner Nelson, then DNR, then the State Legislature. Before a petition letter can be created, the board needs a petition letter from the Association.
- Hiking trail update: Dressen reported that he cleaned up the area around the Boy Scout picnic table.
- Fall burn pile drop off will be on October 5, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Location is on the township property in the corner of Rossini Road and Pequaywan Lake Road. Requirements are: (1) maximum diameter must be 10 inches; and (2) branches must be de-limbed or separated from the trunk.
- Weed report: Deb Pomroy reported that she finished surveying West Branch Road and six hours of weed survey in the hiking trail. She plans to do the northeast corner of the township next. Noxious weeds found in the township were: Spotted Knapweed, Common Tansy, Japanese Barberry, Siberian Peashrub, Common Buckthorn, and Bush Honeysuckle.
New Business
- Brush on the side of the road: There was discussion on clearing the brush on the side of the township road. Equipmet rental is $100.00-$180.00. No action taken.
Correspondence
Received:
- Email from St. Louis County Assessor’s Office re-list of LBAE certified supervisors
- Invoice from Daisy Wallace, Web Admin, in the amount of $25.00
Sent:
- 2025 Levy form emailed to St. Louis County Auditor’s Office
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 directory loss
Next Meeting, October 8, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by,
Lita Wallace, Clerk