Alice Pickering
Linwood Area Reporter

Discussion of road issues, including completion of projects in 2005 and plans for 2006, was a large part of the Linwood Town Board meeting Feb. 8.

Engineer Craig Jochum reviewed 2005 and 2006 road projects and costs with supervisors. The information was also helpful in explaining the proposed budget.

The street improvement plan for each of the two years is budgeted at $250,000. In the road and bridge fund Jochum estimated engineering costs of $20,000; for improvements and construction, $225,000; and professional services $5000.

The 2005 projects to be completed include final payment on 237th Ave., Thames St., Japura St. and park improvements $25,000; 227th Ave., Feather St., and West Martin Lake Drive, $17,500; 225th Ave. and Indus, $3125. The improvements on Hornsby Bridge, $25,000; completion of Cora Road, overlays on North Linwood Drive and Icarus, $62,300; Deer Run $85,000; and overlays on West Linwood Drive, $24,500; bring the total to $242,925 for 2005.

Jochum was authorized to advertise for bids for the Cora Road, North Linwood Drive, and Icarus St., Deer Run and West Linwood Drive projects.

Road projects proposed for 2006 include Birch Ridge Estates ($102,750) and Thames St. ($35,000), upgrade of 226th Ave. ($48,300), Ryan Lake Drive right-of-way acquisition costs ($20,000), and maintenance costs for seal coating and crack-sealing on township streets ($42,950) for a total of $250,000.

Road work includes realignment of Icarus St. and removal of old sections of asphalt on private property. Bob Beckman, road and bridge commission member thought it might be possible to re-grind asphalt removed as the road is realigned to use as base for the new road.

Supervisors voted unanimously to authorize Jochum to contact property owners along Cora Road (north side of Linwood Lake) about the construction schedule. This will give them time to decide where they want their driveways to join the new road. Until now, they have been using a lane which splits some of the properties. This will be vacated after the new road is constructed.

A study of Fawn Lake Road had been requested from residents with an eye to improving safety. Jochum told the board the road is posted for 30 mph and has appropriate signs, but curves at 241st Ave. and 242nd Ave. meet the design speed of only 25 mph.

In addition, the clear zone on each side of the road is free from hazards. Storm water is directed to drains in the curb and to the lake.

The road is heavily traveled. A slippery low spot, just north of 241st Ave. is attributed to compacted snow before plows can clear the street in winter.

With regard to ATV traffic, town code allows operation on the township streets and the road right-of-way as long as vehicles stay on the shoulder or the far right hand side of the road surface, in the same direction as other traffic.

More updates

Attorney Gerald Randall told the board that the attorney for the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy wants to get the Shadow Ridge case resolved.

He said there is no intent to stop the project, but the township may have to check on open space or consider cluster development. As the suit relates to the Shadow Ridge Development, there may have to be conservation easements established which might hold up the project.

Another property dispute, involves one lot combined with another for tax purposes. However, there remains a mortgage on one lot, which is in default. Randall has to determine if the lots can or should be split based on the financial situation.

Boettcher farm

In his review of EAW comments from agencies interested in the Boettcher Farm Preserve, Jochum said the Anoka County Highway Department recommended an increase in the average number of daily trips (travel behavior inventory) from 9.8 to 12.3 to reflect traffic trends in the area.

Also recommended was township consideration of the traffic impact of this development cumulatively with others in the township, including Shadow Ridge Overlook. Developers should be aware of a proposed regional trail along Typo Creek Drive (CR-85) connecting other green spaces.

The DNR requested scale drawings of the proposed wetland to be constructed as part of the project. Jochum said this area is about 18 acres. MnDOT judged the development will have little or no impact on state roads or rights-of-way.

Met Council said the development exceeds the township comprehensive plan of a diversified rural community, with housing density of one unit for ten acres. Jochum said the comment did not reflect the overall density of township housing which is much less.

The council plans a review of the comprehensive plan in 2008. Chairman Dave Tryon said it took eight years to approve the original one with no needed changes. Supervisors have made deliberate decisions about developments to maintain green space in the township, but without being pressured into establishing ordinances which specify cluster housing.

The MPCA believes there are no significant issues to consider as a result of the development. Because the development is over 50 acres in size and within 2000 feet of Typo Lake) developers must submit a stormwater pollution prevention plan to the MPCA.

Town reports

Fire Chief Rich Gabrick reported 13 emergency runs in January. Eleven were medical responses and two were fires. The fire department has prepared its budget. Gabrick reported the department has a new compressor for filling breathing apparatus. The department is giving priority to the rapid intervention team.

The board unanimously approved the auto-aid agreement between Linwood Fire Department and the East Bethel Fire Department, subject to review by Randall. The agreement sets conditions and equipment to be provided when the two departments respond to an emergency in support of one another. Hours in this agreement are 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Gabrick said the agreement is phrased to fit the township and East Bethel because it is a mutual aid pact between another township within Anoka county. Mutual aid arrangements between Stacy and Wyoming are different.

Mutual aid agreements are instrumental in lowering the ISO. It can also reduce the rate within the township if closer to another department outside the township.

Resident Ron Schally had a written request that the township pass an ordinance requiring a budget and tax public hearing in November under one of two conditions. The levy passed by a majority vote at the annual March meeting or the total budget proposal would be an increase from the previous year.

His property was appraised 18 percent higher but his property taxes increased 110 percent. It was not clear if this was total tax bill or the township portion. He was told that only supervisors can approve ordinances after hearings.

The board approved the reappointment of resident members to the Linwood Community and School Forest Committee: Diane Mahonen, Alan Hurtley, Diane Selz and Marie Holm.

Residents are invited to meet the candidates 7:30-9 p.m., Tuesday, March 1 at the Linwood Senior Center.

The township election is scheduled Tuesday, March 8, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The annual meeting follows at 8:15 p.m. The 2006 budget and 2006 proposed levy will be discussed.

Other business

In other business, the board:

ïPassed a resolution designating First State Bank of Wyoming as official depository.

ïReferred minimum lot and building permit standards to planning and zoning for review.

ïAuthorized the building committee to begin a feasibility study for a township salt shed. Members will be notified so a meeting date can be set.

ïReceived information about a free seminar, Introduction to Restorative Mediation, to be held 2-4:30 p.m. Grand Jury Room, or 6:30-9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23, Mediation Services of Anoka County at the Anoka County Government Center.

ïTabled a decision about the snowmobile route until the next meeting.

ïTabled a decision about Boettcher Farm Preserve until the next meeting.

ïReceived a notice from US Cable from the fire department, received additions to the quarterly compensation.

ïAuthorized the purchase of 125 T-shirts commemorating Earth Day, for distribution to one grade-level at Linwood.

ïApproved the 2005 recycling contract with Anoka County. The amount to be reimbursed for 2005 is up to $17,476.

ïLearned the cemetery committee meets 5 p.m. March 21.

ïLearned the police committee next meets 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 15.

ïLearned the annual fire department dance is Saturday, Oct. 15.

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