Bill Coleman
Scandia Area ReporterSince being charged by the Scandia Town Board six months ago to learn the pros and cons of becoming a city, Scandiaís Incorporation Committee is making progress, according to Blair Joselyn, committee chair.
ìWeíve met five or six times and have developed a list of questions that need to be answered, over 100 of them,î Joselyn said. ìWeíve broken the questions down into categories and are now in the process of getting answers.î
Joselyn, who also holds a seat on the Scandia Town Board, has met once a month since June with fellow board member Mike Harnetty and a handful of board-appointed Scandia citizens to research Minnesotaís incorporation process in preparation of Scandia taking steps to change from a township to a city. Such a move could come as early as next spring, he said.
ìIf all goes smoothly itís possible we could give the board a recommendation (either to go ahead and apply for incorporation, or not to) as early as this spring,î Joselyn said.
ìWeíre not leaning any way right now,î Joselyn said. ìThe main question we need to answer yet is whether there is a compelling reason for Scandia to incorporate.î
This winter, Joselyn said, a town meeting will be held so Scandia residents can be briefed on the committee findings and also share in discussion.
How it happens
Most of the time a fear of annexation from a neighboring city is what convinces a township to incorporate, according to Dan Greensweig, an attorney with the Minnesota Association of Townships.
ìEach community has its own relationship with its neighboring city. Scandia may or may not be in jeopardy of being annexed, but in certain situations, possibly in Scandiaís, a move from a township to a city may be a benefit financially and allow the community to protect its rural appeal,î Greensweig said.
According to Joselyn, Scandia is not in any foreseeable danger of annexation from any neighbors. Scandia borders Chisago Lake and Franconia townships to the north, May Township to the south, the cities of Hugo and Forest Lake to the west and Marine on St. Croix to the south. By law, a bordering city can annex up to 60 acres at a time from a township without the townshipís approval.
The basic procedure should Scandia choose to become a city includes an official public hearing, a vote by the township board, a filing of petition with the state and a recommendation by a judge, according to the Handbook For Minnesota Cities.
So far during work sessions committee members have met with a number of people to give insight into what the incorporation process would encompass.
They met with the Washington County tax assessor to learn more about tax implications and learned the cost for Scandia residents as a city, instead of a rural township, may not be much more than it is now.
ìItís still early yet,î Joselyn continued. ìWe may still uncover expenses we donít see now, but Scandia has many things already in place that a city would require.î
The committee also met with Gary Erichson, a former Grant Township chairperson who was elected mayor in 1996 when Grant became a city, and Jim Fitzpatrick, a member of the Denmark Town Board. Denmark Township is a rural community located south of Afton and north of Hastings experiencing today what Scandia may soon experience. The Denmark Township Board is expected to vote this month to try life as a city.
ìItís helpful having Denmark go through this right now,î Joselyn said. ìWeíre able to watch and learn from them and hopefully discover what is going to be best for Scandia.î
The Scandia Incorporation Committee will next meet Tuesday, Nov. 9.
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