Posted: 2/19/03

Parking ordinances still a topic in Linwood

Alice Pickering
Linwood Area Reporter

There was more discussion about Linwood Township parking ordinances at the Feb. 11 town board meeting, but supervisors voted to make no changes in them at this time.

Signs are to be ordered with township parking restrictions and posted on major roads coming into the township by next winter.

The town board wants to maintain the lake access, while regulating street parking.

Supervisor Rudi McCurdy submitted a memo to allow parking at certain times of the year on township streets. His suggestions included some for seasonal parking restrictions, but they were not read at the meeting.

Supervisor Marie Holm said she did not want to change the ordinance in the middle of the winter. For the time being the ordinances stay the same.

Linwood Drive

Referring to congestion near the public access on South Linwood Drive, resident Dave Miller said ìevery weekend weíre battling this.î He said he is ìfed up with the whole thing.î

Cars and trucks with snowmobile trailers that are parked along the street make it so narrow residents often cannot get out of their driveways and emergency vehicles cannot get through.

The Anoka County Sheriff has begun to issue warnings and tickets for drivers violating the parking ordinances. One deputy sheriff told Miller the county has signs that can be used until township signs are ready.

More road topics

Town Supervisor Marvin McCormick discussed the bids submitted for town road work.

On his recommendation, the 2003 gravel contract was awarded to Forest Lake Contracting at $8.30 a ton.

Magnum was awarded the street sweeping contract based on a bid of $95 an hour. Brown Grading was awarded the bid for road grading at $44 an hour with the stipulation written authorization from the road supervisor is required.

McCormick also plans an inspection after each grading job is completed, including a dated written report. The board accepted a list of equipment quotes from Keller Excavating to be placed on file for 2003.

217th St. report

Attorney Gerald Randall reviewed history of land at the east end of 217th Street. March 3, 1999 the board approved a variance for a lot split with one parcel having less than the 300 feet of required road frontage. One parcel was 24.5 acres, the other just over 36 acres.

This decision referenced a survey made April 8, 1998. The variance was ìcontingent on (Pat) Collova conveying an easement (to the township) for the utilities.î He said, ìCollova never gave the easement.î

Tom Sether, owner of the northern parcel, has proposed a land exchange with the owner of the other land, so that both have street access. This issue is yet to be resolved.

Randall said there was to be no further development on the land until the developer upgraded the road to township specifications. He said the township did not approve either parcel for a building permit.

Engineer Craig Jochum reported that work on 237th Street can begin as soon as trees are removed from the road right-of-way. Tree removal must be completed before April 15 to minimize the spread of oak wilt.

Consulting with Randall, Jochum said the township can draw on the letter of credit from developer Hensley to cover the road work until the next county draw in July.

Fire business

In a submitted written report, Fire Chief Rich Gabrick reported 17 emergency responses in January. Seven were for fires, and 10 were medical responses.

The department successfully completed a training exercise with a house burn, the chief said. After discussion it was determined the departmentís snowmobile trailer is too light for other uses and voted to place it up for bids.

More reports

In her report for the Sunrise River Watershed District, Holm reported the organization has established a website. Lake monitoring data, lake levels and water quality, are to be available soon. The group also surveys the water levels of culverts.

The board renewed the recycling contract with Anoka County SCORE. The 2003 recycling quota for Linwood Township is 413 tons.

Curbside recycling weight and that of material collected on township recycling days are included in this total. Residents who recycle scrap metal in other counties are urged to turn weight slips in to the township office so that the weight is included in the township total.

The board also approved the purchase of 3000 Earth Day pens, using SCORE (recycling) funds, for distribution on recycling day and at Linwood Elementary School.

Purchase of a smaller number of T-shirts for youngest students at Linwood was also approved. The township is reimbursed for these purchases with the county recycling funds.

Election update

Two supervisors and a township treasurer are to be elected in 2003.

Residents are invited to ìMeet the Candidatesî at the Linwood Senior Center, 7:30-9 p.m., Monday, March 3. The township election is Tuesday, March 11, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., at the Linwood Town Hall.

Other business

In other business, the board:

ïApproved the election judges for the March 11 township election: Sheila Biem, Shirley Doberstein, Annette Helegeson, Ilene Hudak and Lucy Pfaffendorf.

ïVoted to accept the written resignations of Dennis Erickson and Tim Foresman from the Linwood Fire Department.

ïAt the recommendation of the fire department, accepted Adam Dohm as a new member.

ïAccepted a Metropolitan Council grant of $11,500 to finance a septic system monitoring program.

ïApproved the hiring of Jason Rinquist as a warming house attendant, bringing the total to six, and allowing attendants to work in two-person shifts.

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