Joe Drennan
Staff Writer

Columbus Town Board Chair Mel Mettler attended the Sept. 26 Forest Lake City Council meeting to see what they had to say about a possible joint powers agreement for water between the two communities. Mettler returned to the board Sept. 28 saying the possibility is there.

Mettler indicated to the town board at the Sept. 14 meeting that Mayor Terry Smith spoke about the possibility of the communities working together. ìThey (city council) said theyíd certainly talk about it and from a technical standpoint, itís fairly common to have communities work together on projects like this,î Mettler said. ìWe didnít say weíd jeopardize our schedule (to provide water) to do this though.î

Knowing they have to move forward with their own water system, Town Engineer Larry Bohrer informed the board that he meet with the Department of Health regarding the easement of a billboard on the proposed well site. At the current easement site, the Department of Health doesnít like that the easement encroaches upon a 50 foot setback.

A reconfiguration of the easement that has been tentatively agreed upon with the billboard owner Clear Channel on the other hand had the support of the Health Department.

With the Health Departmentís approval, now Bohrer is working on finalizing the reconfiguration of the easement with Clear Channel and seeking wetland permits.

There is still some concern about the well site. As of the meeting last Wednesday the township still had an agreement with Pat Preiner the land owner to purchase the land.

ìWeíve got some pretty important projects out there waiting and itís important that we move forward,î Supervisor John Wallner said.

Supervisor Glen Miles mentioned that heíd like to see the water project move forward without any hitches because water is important to development.

Bohrer said it would be wise for the township to now pursue a purchase agreement for the additional strip of land theyíll need if they wish to construct two wells on the same well site.

ìWe need to saddle up and get this done,î Supervisor Tom Hefty said.

Incorporation

Columbus learned they most likely wonít be the only ones footing the bill for their filing for incorporation. Forest Lake has filed their opposition with the state Municipal Boundary Adjustment offices.

ìI look at the east side (of I-35) situation and the complaint they (Forest Lake) had was they didnít want to take it because of the cost,î Supervisor Hefty said. ìNow theyíd like to challenge this incorporation and theyíre going to spend more money than they would with an annexation?

ìReading between the lines I think their intent isnít the east side, itís the whole thing (freeway district) and theyíre willing to pay for it.î

The other Town Board members agreed with Heftyís comments and indicated that the township should proceed with extreme caution with its talks with Forest Lake about a possible joint powers agreement for water.

Sewer update

Gander Mountain has been notified that they can hook up to the township sewer. The lift station electrical panel is being completed, then testing will begin on the southwest corridor leg. The southwest corridor should be online by the end of Oct.

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Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
Fax 651-464-4605