Posted: 6/5/02

Linwood debates road question

Alice Pickering
Linwood Area Reporter

The Linwood Town Board adopted a resolution rescinding the vacation of Cora Road which was passed at the April 23 meeting. Ronald Michaelson is the attorney representing the land owners along the road, with the exception of Scott and Sheri Smith.

The board directed that information from both attorneys be forwarded to the Road and Bridge Committee for more study.

Smithís property abuts the north road but papers he signed when purchasing his home state he would not be responsible for any cost of building the road because his driveway does not come off Cora Road. Property owners along Cora Road have been using the road for garbage pick-ups and mail delivery. Residents have been using the road as if it has been vacated because of permits issued to build garages and septic systems.

However, it has not been maintained as a road. Michaelson told the board if it wants to vacate the road and build a new one, it must be done as per Minnesota Statutes (160.9).

Property owners on the north and south sides of Cora Road originally petitioned the township in 1986 to vacate the road so they could use the land on the north side. The response of the board was to the unfinished request of owners at the time. Because of quit claim deeds, the township owns the northernmost 66 feet of these parcels for a future road.

While the property values of homes would increase, the cost of road construction would be borne by property owners. Smith said the residents have had 16 years to resolve the problem, left it unsolved, now his septic system is in what is the east end of the road. He does not want residents using his property for a road they had asked to be vacated.

In April, the board passed resolution vacating Cora Road.

The new Smith septic system is close to the road, but he does not want other residents to drive over it, so he closed off the road. He said the new Cora Road should be built north of all the properties on the established easement.

On April 23, the board unanimously directed Hanna to file the motion of finalization on Cora Road.

zoning matter

There was continued discussion about Ordinance 108 and efforts to clarify which types of animals should be allowed in which zoning districts. Non-domestic and other large animals are only allowed on lots of at least 10 acres. Town Attorney Jerry Randall sought clarification of exotic and domestic animals which may be allowed on a lot.

Resident Dominic Burkhalter said using variances for these situations or allowing those who have had large animals to continue to keep them.

Related to this issue, Randall asked to see a copy of the lease Julie Sigfrinius signed, leasing 12 acres from neighbors to meet required acreage to have horses.

Fire reports

Fire Chief Rich Gabrick reported 15 responses through April 2002; 10 were medical calls; five were for fires.

The replacement grass rig the department received from the DNR is being readied for service. Planning for the department's open house and annual dance October 5 is underway.

At Gabrickís request, the board approved the return of Randy Paggen to active status after a three-month leave. Board members also approved a requested one-year leave of absence for Tim Forsman.

To date the new station has cost $635,000, with the final cost for the finished building close to $700,000.

The board approved the issuance of a check in the amount of $76,945 to Gilbert Construction for work completed on the fire station in the last month. Dick Gilbert reported all state, county, and township inspections have been completed, including a well water test.

Gabrick left a copy of a revised township emergency plan for board approval and filing. An emergency plan for terrorist activities is being developed, to be included when approved by the board.

Supervisors approved the spending of up to $7500 for a commercial washer and dryer to be placed in the new fire station. This equipment is needed to maintain turn-out gear.

The Senior Advisory board is requesting the washer & dryer from the fire station be left in the station for township washing, so it does not have to be taken to laundromats or homes.

After discussion, the board approved a bid for five aluminum ìWelcome to Linwoodî signs at $360 each, with half to be paid in advance. Payment for these signs is five percent less because the township is ordering five.

More updates

At the May 14 board meeting, State Sen. Michele Bachmann was present for discussion for the redistricting. She is running against Sen. Jane Krentz in the new District 52.

By a vote of 4-1, supervisors approved a request by Scott Lecy for an addition to his house closer to the lot line than allowed by township ordinances. Findings of fact include the addition will be no closer to the line than the present line of the house; the lines were misrepresented when the property was purchased, and the septic system is in compliance.

Supervisor Marie Holm, the sole vote against the request, said P&Z had concerns about not having enough room along the side lot line to mow the lawn without trespass.

The board directed the Road and Bridge Committee to do a township wide inspection of road rights-of-way. Discussion of all-terrain vehicles at the meeting April 23 was limited to liability issues related to this topic.

The right-of-way belongs to the township; therefore any obstacles must be removed. All signs, cars, shrubs, rocks, flowers, trees, or landscaping elements must be removed from the margins of the roads and streets.

Randall reported the township can use quotes for smaller road projects under about $50,000. He cautioned without contract specifying standards there is no control over the quality of the work.

Other business

In other business, the board:

ïAwarded the blacktopping bid for the fire station to Bauerly Companies in the amount of $32,830.85.

ïDirected Randall to initiate legal action against a junk property on the corner of Fawn Lake Drive and Loyola.

ïLearned from Bill Edgen, Qwest representative, that the light on the signal tower should be installed within 30 days.

ïApproved payment of the bills in the amount of $43,386.36 with the Gilbert Construction bill and the amount for the signs to be included in the total.

ïWas thanked by Bob McCormick for allowing him to use a trailer for temporary living quarters after the Carlos Edge Fire. He now has permanent living quarters.

ïLearned 75 dog licenses were issued at the clinic May 4.

ïApproved the treasurerís report to be placed on file for audit.

ïLearned from Supervisor Rudi McCurdy that planning for the project to put up township mail boxes for every household in the township is nearly completed.

ïTabled until the next meeting the scanning of town board signatures.

ïApproved funds to provide 600 booklets promoting recycling appropriate for children grades K-3.

ïLearned from the recycling report that residents paid $4,337 to recycle items, with bills paid thus far totaling $1,118.90.

ïDirected Clerk Judy Hanna to price jackets, raincoats, sweatshirts and gloves for volunteers to wear on the next recycling day.

ïLearned from Hanna the transit audit resulted in the 1987 van not being certified to transport wheelchair passengers. The attorney is reviewing the transit contract from Met Council. The board authorized the clerk and chair to sign the transit contract when it is returned from Randall.

ïDirected the clerk to post the animal control, police, building and petty cash reports.

ïTabled a decision about an easement requested by Glen Barrett until attorneys, engineer Jochum and Frank Kvidera can meet.

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