Alice Pickering
Linwood Area ReporterThe Linwood Town Board on Aug. 10 authorized the negotiation of the police contract with Anoka County, with the help of attorney Gerald Randall.
Linwood Police Committee member Linda Hurtley brought copies of the proposed 2005 Law Enforcement Contract prepared by Anoka County Sheriff Bruce Andersohn.
Committee members were concerned the township gets moving on the negotiations for the contract. Both contract police protection and the school resource officer were addressed in the proposal.
The proposal for contract service was determined by a service analysis of the staffing requirements for the township. This takes into account the number of calls for service which indicates the township has grown large enough to justify contract dedicated service.
Andersohnís proposal presents options for the contract officer for eight hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year. The cost for 1.68 deputies, to the township would total $174,633 which includes total personnel costs (salary and benefits), vehicle costs $39,618. This covers the cost of the car, all maintenance, emergency and communications equipment, insurance, cell phone and administrative costs of $9325.
The replacement schedule for squad cars is scheduled every three years. The vehicle cost is pro-rated.
Anoka County is willing to wait for the township to get its July property tax draw from the county. Office space, garage space and a dedicated phone line for communications will be needed for the officer.
Plans are to arrange for this space at the old fire hall. Hurtley stressed the township will get better response time with an officer in the township.
If an agreement is reached, Andersohn would order the Linwood squad car in January, with arrival scheduled in March.
From January through March the officer would use a squad car from the general fleet.
SRO position
A contract with the county for an SRO at Linwood Elementary School for eight hours a day, five days a week would cost $79,355 in salary and benefits with vehicle costs under the same terms as the contract officer at $18,403, with administrative costs of $5,339, for a total annual cost of $103,097.
Hurtley said she is certain Columbus Township will support a SRO for Columbus Elementary School. A decision was due Aug. 17 at the continuation of its annual meeting.
The committee plans to have several tables with information about proposed plans at Linwood Family Fun Days.
Hurtley provided examples and urged the purchase because the brochures give information about patterns of activity and types of debris which might signal illegal meth labs. She wants them available for distribution at Linwood Day.
The board authorized the purchase of 200 brochures.
Strandland plan
Linwood Town Board supervisors on Aug. 10 approved a preliminary sketch plan for a six-lot development proposed by Steve Strandland by a vote of 3-1. The planning and zoning commission recommended denial because members did not like the concept, seemingly meeting the letter of the ordinances but not the spirit.
The street access for one lot lies along the side of another lot, even though the lot has road frontage. Wetlands put some constraints on lot design.
Referring to the ordinance, Supervisor Rudi McCurdy said the intent is the front of the lot has road access, but this was when it was assumed that every lot is square. He said Strandland should eliminate one lot and go with five lots instead of six. The property abuts an existing dedicated public street, but there is no access on the road frontage.
McCurdy said his proposal is an ìattempt at circumvention,î a cul-de-sac of 1000 feet and an easement extending it even further to get to the property (for emergency vehicles). The final vote was 3-1 with McCurdy voting against acceptance of the sketch plan.
Road & Bridge
Bob Beckman, road and bridge committee, advised that advertising for crack filling bids should be done as soon as possible. Engineer Craig Jochum will draft the text of the advertisement.
There is no longer a line item in the township budget for crack filling for the streets. The item is included under street maintenance. Beckman said the crack filling will run less than $25,000 this year.
Beckman also requested Anoka County be contacted and arrangements made to pave 20 extra feet back from the right-of-way when the county completes the culvert and paving work on Viking Blvd.
After completing reviewing old plats of the Martin Lake area, Attorney Randall determined West Martin Lake is actually an alley. At the last meeting, Robert Cartier was told that Feather Street would be viewed as the rear of his lot which has fronts on both Feather St. and Martin Lake Road.
The board recognizes his situation as a hardship and will try to be helpful to him as he seeks some variances so he can build on his lot. Cartier must present a survey, firm decision about the location of buildings and septic sites, scale drawings of these, and no additional informal marks on the paperwork.
Fire reports
Fire Chief Rich Gabrick reported 17 responses in July. Eleven were medical emergencies, and six were for fires. Through July 31 this year, the department has responded to 131 calls.
Based on departmental recommendation, the board approved the acceptance of Robert Standaert and Sean Peterson as new members of the Linwood Volunteer Fire Department. The vote was 4-0. Supervisor Marie Holm led the meeting because Chair Dave Tryon was not at the meeting.
By unanimous vote the board approved the fire department proceeding with negotiations and arrangements for mutual aid agreement with East Bethel. Gabrick made the recommendation and request.
Arrangements may differ slightly than those with Wyoming and Stacy, because East Bethel is affiliated with a North Suburban group. Gabrick said satisfactory agreement should result in a reduced ISO in some areas of the township, a reflection of better fire protection, which could result in lower home insurance premiums for some residents.
Gabrick reminded residents the Firewise Program will continue through Sept. 30. This program is designed to help homeowners correct areas around their lots, (trees, brush) to protect houses in the event of a forest fire or grass fire.
The proposed fire department constitution is revised and ready for preview. Copies will be made available to board members. This will be reviewed at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 24 before the board meeting. Gabrick said one hour will be needed for discussion, before a decision on adoption.
Other topics
Supervisor Mike Budde reported meeting with Wayne Ayers and suggesting a move slightly south to allow for adequate snow plowing space and road side parking. The Ayers family wants to present a memorial for wife and mother Carol Ayers to the township for his wife.
One consideration is the number of lots in the cemetery. The entire space is not yet developed. It is estimated with the Ayers memorial about 20 plots with be lost. In the developed area, there is space for about 600 plots per acre. The total area of the cemetery is 3.5 acres.
Holm reported a task force is considering water and sewer connections for homes along TH-65 and possibly Coon Lake. The proposal is being studied by the Sunrise River Watershed Committee.
Other business
In other business, the board:
ïDirected Clerk Judy Hanna to arrange dates for sensitivity training sessions for township personnel, combining them with another community if the group participating is small.
ïHeard a request from McCurdy about an ordinance targeting the road right-of-way.
ïReminded residents Linwood Family Fun Day is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information call 651-462-5565.
ïLearned from Hanna one nomination has been made for the Linwood Hall of Fame. The identity of the recipient will be revealed at Linwood Family Fun Day on Sept. 11.
ïTabled a request for a speed study for a section of Viking Blvd. because petitioner David Verness was absent. This has appeared before the road and bridge committee.
ïLearned McCurdy continues work on town website: www.linwoodtownship.govoffice.com.
ïLearned from Gabrick the fire marshal has reviewed the plans for the Shadow Ridge development.
ïApproved payment of township bills in the amount of $11,709.05.
ïApproved the July 2004 treasurerís report to be placed on file for audit.
ïApproved reports for petty cash, building committee and police.
Top of Page
