Alice Pickering
Linwood Area Reporter

The Anoka County Historical Society is gearing up for the 150th anniversary celebration in 2007. May 23 is the actual anniversary date.

Paul Pierce, society president of the Society, told the Linwood Town Board he is encouraging residents to share photos, memorabilia, and stories which might be used for the celebration and add to archives.

Pierce estimates it will take a year to prepare for the event. Among the ideas being considered for the celebration is a wagon train through different areas of the county, special fireworks, creation of a display and/or a book.

He plans to visit with Supervisor Mel Pfaffendorf who has early maps of the township and knows a lot of the local history. Residents are invited to contact the Anoka County Historical Society if they have information they could share or if they wish to help with planning.

Police report

Supervisor Rudi McCurdy noted differences in incident reports the first full year Linwood Township has had contract police protection. The total number of incident reports increased 18 percent from 1857 in 2004 to 2193 in 2005. Some categories of crimes decreased, possibly because of shorter response time. These include assault and damage to property.

Warrant arrests went from 29 to 59. There were 33 felony arrests, triple the number in 2004. Misdemeanor arrests also nearly tripled, to 189. DUI arrests increased from 5 to 16. Gross misdemeanor arrests increased from 7 to 27 during the same time period.

McCurdy noted that the biggest increase came in traffic arrests; from 170 in 2004 to 448 in 2005. He was particularly pleased because speeding is down in the township.

New fire truck

Board members authorized the fire department to finalize specifications for a new tanker for the department and seek bids for the truck needed.

The board was reluctant to authorize the purchase, or bonding for the purchase until the township budget has been approved. Supervisor Marie Holm said normally the budget is approved in March, but in the event approval was at a continuation of the meeting in August, she wanted to be certain there would be enough for the purchase.

Board gave approval for the park board request to move $30,000 from the other equipment fund, into park capital line item. Funds of $7500, were allocated for Martin Lake Park improvements. The Martin Lake Association will help provide labor for some of the park restoration. This is an authorized use for park dedication fees. The motion was unanimous, 5-0.

The town methamphetamine ordinance was accepted in its final form and the summary was approved for publication. Attorney Gerald Randall said the entire ordinance must be posted. The ordinance about storage of vehicles was also approved and its summary is to be published soon.

According to Randall there are no new developments in the lawsuit brought by the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy.

Supervisors continue to inspect lots where there have been complaints about yards that need cleaning up. There is at least one court case in progress about a needed clean-up.

Supervisors approved additional three-year terms for Linwood Park Board members. Jim Garrison (2007), Kevin Hubbard (2007), Marlys Ostlund (2009) and Brian McCollough (2008) are the appointees.

The board scheduled a budget meeting for 5 p.m., Monday, Feb. 13, with an alternate date Thursday, Feb. 16. More information about the proposed township budget will be made available in the Township Newsletter, which will be mailed to residents closer to the annual meeting, March 7.

There is only one Recycling Day scheduled for 2006. It is scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 22.

Other business

In other business, the board:

ïApproved the final plat for Rolling Oak Meadows development at the Jan. 10 meeting. Planning and zoning commission recommended approval.

ïApproved the developerís agreement for Lyonís Den.

ïLearned Engineer Craig Jochum is working on securing easements for work to improve Ryan Lake Drive.

ïRescheduled the police committee to 7 p.m. Monday, March 6 to avoid conflict with township elections on March 7.

ïAuthorized payment of the bills in the amount of $30,716.07.

ïApproved splitting the cost of township trash service equally between all departments.

ïLearned letters have been sent to property owners of Birchwood Circle, 226th Ave. NE, and Thames Street NE, about road improvement.

ïApproved using recycling funds for targeting 2nd graders at Linwood Elementary.

ïLearned more information about lease or purchase options for a Bobcat will be available at the next meeting.

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