Posted: 6/18/03

ATV debate takes new turn

Alice Pickering
Linwood Area Reporter

Four residents came to the Linwood Town Board meeting June 10 after receiving letters from Township Attorney Gerald Randall asking them to reduce riding on dirt bikes and ATVs on their land because there had been complaints from neighbors about the noise and dust generated.

There had also been complaints about a dry pond that was generating a lot of dust. At the board meeting April 22, Randall had been directed to contact residents who were alleged to have created the nuisance.

After reading complaints about the sand and noise on their properties, Vicki and Jim Giller asked for a board decision on the issue. Supervisor Mike Budde visited the site and reported grass seed sow in the area has germinated. Gillers had no clue they had offended anyone and wanted to know what the specific complaints were. Ordinances do not address ATVs on private property.

Tom Hagen did not know why he had received a letter from Randall to ìcease and desist.î Jeremy Johnson wondered why he had been sent the letter.

The big question was why there was no personal contact about the matter first before complaints were brought to the town board. Respondents also thought those complaining would be at the board meeting.

Those attending said that Gary Budolfson, one of the neighbors complaining, has a camera or binoculars out whenever anyone is in their respective back yards.

At least two people use the ATVs to pull mowers. Johnson is angry his children have been photographed and/or videotaped and they have asked him about the ìman taking pictures.î In an effort to find middle ground Supervisor Marie Holm suggested mediation services to resolve the issues.

Firefighter out

Based on independent reviews of the minutes from departmental meetings, supervisors followed the departmental recommendation to terminate Jesse Dalton as a member of the Linwood Volunteer Fire Department. Supervisor Rudi McCurdyís motion to dismiss was approved by a 5-0 vote.

Fire Chief Rich Gabrick said the department did not take lightly any consideration of dismissing a volunteer. He told the board three meetings were scheduled to review the material with Dalton.

The second was set up specifically to accommodate Daltonís schedule, but he did not attend. Dalton said he had work obligations.

Dalton maintains the reasons for this action are not clear to him and wanted to see the written complaints. Supervisor Dave Tryon said all the supervisors have seen meeting minutes, but would not discuss them publicly because it was personal information. Minutes referenced were those of April 28. Minutes from the May 7 meeting were approved last week.

The board voted unanimously for ex-firefighters to return uniforms and equipment.

There was discussion about the return of a fire department uniform from an ex-firefighter. The primary concern is official jacket or uniform being worn. At emergency sites, the uniforms indicate the individual is an emergency responder.

Retirees keep the shirts and jackets. When there is a termination or resignation, there is no stake in the equipment for the individual because it has been paid for by the department. Badges and other ID are paid for from township funds and are to be turned back to the department.Medical equipment is paid for by township funds.

Budde felt there was ìno sense in having fire equipment or uniform if (the individual is) not in the department.î Holm said anything not specifically embroidered should be returned. Tryon said at all jobs he has had, when workers resign or retire uniforms are returned.

Other fire news

The 800 MHz radio system is being set up county-wide for emergency services in Anoka County and is expected to be operational by mid-2004, Gabrick told the board. There are 48 channels to the system that will enhance communication between emergency services county-wide.

Officials will be working to solve the problems patching through to the state system. A portion of the system is being paid for by Anoka County taxes.

Gabrick also brought the departmental constitution and by-laws to the board for review.

The fire department responded to 24 calls in May, according to Gabrick. Twenty-four were responses to medical emergencies and four were to fires. Through May 31, the department has responded to 85 calls.

Road updates

Supervisors approved payment in the amount of $197,000 for the township portion of street work associated with development of Typo Creek Estates. This also includes paving Japura Street. K&H Developmentís portion of the street work was $270,000.

The board unanimously approved proceeding with township road projects recommended by the road and bridge committee. These include: Typo Creek Drive, 245th, Thames, 239th, 238th, 233rd and 217th.

There has been a suspension in road grading because it has been unclear who was to direct Dennis Brown. Board members clarified that Kvidera or the supervisor in charge of roads is to give the go-ahead.

Other business

In other business, the board:

ïLearned Holm has been elected chair of the Sunrise River Water Management Committee.

ïApproved by a 3-2 vote the inclusion of the patch section of Typo Creek Drive near the Country Store market along with the other jobs.

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