Alice Pickering
Linwood Area Reporter

This summer Anoka County has scheduled a stretch of Viking Blvd. (CR-22) for repair. The section is between CR-74 (215th) and CR-75 (Sunrise Road). Work is expected to begin at any time so arrangements for other work tied to the project is also being completed.

The township is working with the county to pave sections of the streets that intersect with the county road.

Workers have delivered gravel and shaped the streets for the blacktop overlay.

One other section, old CR-85 (Typo Creek Drive) near The Country Store, was to be included in this project.

A section of the old Typo Creek passes in front of Linwood Elementary School.

Township officials want to vacate the remaining section which passes west of The Country Store. This might mean road access for one property could be only through an easement another owner says he is willing to give.

However, any future land development would not be possible through an easement.

Supervisors tabled action until the June 28 meeting. The area of the road stub to be paved does not appear to match the road right-of-way on the map.

Supervisors Dave Tryon and Marie Holm want Engineer Craig Jochum to provide an authorized survey of the area. The section of the old road must be located before paving.

Plans for the township salt and sand shed are on hold. Supervisors authorized Clerk Judy Hanna to check the cost of canceling the order for materials for a wooden sand-salt shed and to cancel it if the penalty is less than $5000.

After bids were advertised for a wooden shed, information was obtained about a Quonset structure made of different materials.

Cost is about $18,000 less, so even with a financial penalty, savings to the township would be substantial.

While there were concerns from Bob Beckman, road and bridge chair, and Dennis Erickson about the township making plans, then changing, or appearing to change them at the last moment, the specifications of the shed are making the difference in this situation.

Bids were originally for a wooden shed, so bids for a Quonset-type structure did not come in. Apparently these can be built for less money, structural components hold up better, and do a better job than some wooden sheds.

The township must yet advertise for bids for the new-style structure before awarding a bid. As a result of this action, the decision to award the bid for labor was tabled.

Attorney reports

At Attorney Gerald Randallís recommendation, the town board tabled any decision on a township methamphetamine ordinance for at least a month. Recent state legislation passed restricts local control.

Considerations are who is responsible for property cleanup and who assumes costs. According to Randall, realtors are seeking uniformity in ordinances.

Randall is still following up on property complaints. Besides following up on old complaints, there are some additional ones. Randall is following up legal action on some.

In addition Randall, along with at least one supervisor is to take pictures of at least two sites.

Tryon, in checking on a problem, noticed another poorly maintained house. A letter is to be sent to the homeowner with a copy of the ordinances related to clean-up.

Supervisors approved division of allowable township gifts of $3500 to the Forest Lake Youth Service Bureau, $1,000 to Anoka County Mediation Services, and $500 to the Anoka County Historical Society.

At the annual meeting, residents voted against increasing the allowable contribution from $5,000 to $10,000. Supervisors considered requests from four agencies before making a decision.

Election change?

Randall presented the preliminary election ordinance for the board to review.

A change in the election date for township elections is being considered.

Residents approved the question being placed on the ballot in 2006.

If approved, officials would be elected in November. The ordinance also makes suggested changes in the terms of office so that an orderly transition can take place.

If approved by voters next March, terms for supervisors would change from three years to four with two supervisors being elected one year, the remaining three would be elected two years later.

The ordinance would provide for an orderly transition

Other topics

Supervisors accepted the retirement of Ray Hogan after 15 years service to the fire department

Fire Chief Rich Gabrick reported the gift of a digital camera to the department from resident Wayne Ayers.

The changes in compensation have been approved and are in the fire department constitution.

Gabrick reported 24 responses to calls in May; 11 were medical emergencies and 13 were fires. The response total through May 31, 2005 is 87.

Since the late 1990s, Linwood Cemetery policy is grave markers must fit flush with the ground surface.

However, enforcement has been lax and at least one headstone has been placed that is upright. Too much time has passed for to change the stone, but supervisors referred the matter to the cemetery committee for review and suggestions for enforcement.

Also referred to the committee for review are requests by relatives to place live plants as memorials.

Family fun day

Planning for Linwood Family Fun Day began at the first organizational meeting, June 16. Hanna said six groups for entertainment plan to be at the event in September.

One change being explored is extension of hours of the one-day event into the afternoon or early evening.

Among ideas being considered are a bonfire, dance, and/or musical entertainment.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 10. Usually softball tournaments begin at 8 a.m. and run through the day. Further planning meetings are scheduled for 7 p.m. on July 21, Aug. 19 and Sept. 8. All meetings are on Thursdays.

Supervisors passed a resolution proclaiming Aug. 2 National Night Out in Linwood. Focus this year is to have the event pull the community together, with a centrally located celebration, perhaps at Broadbent Park. Next year the focus might be more on neighborhood celebrations. Supervisors approved $150 toward food for the event.

Other business

In other business, the board:

ïApproved the police and petty cash reports.

ïLearned Sentence to Serve inmates have completed construction of a board walk in Playful Shadow.

ïDirected Hanna to write a letter to Midwest Fence to determine if the company still plans to construct the hurricane fence in Four Seasons Park.

ïLearned from Randall that he has more information about the easement to Deer Run, township parkland.

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