Fred Heinonen
Scandia area reporter

After two years in the making, the Scandia Comprehensive Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan won approval at the town board meeting July 11.

Some concern was voiced about possible conflicts of proposed parks and future commercial development areas along TH-97. It appears there is room for both venues.

The plan is a good base framework for development and it was acknowledged that some changes and adjustments will need to be made as the plan progresses.

Assistant Fire Chief Steve Yehle made a budget forecast presentation to the town board. The immediate concern is the significant financial requirement to update communications radios, which is mandated by the upcoming Washington County update.

Looking ahead are retirement obligations for possibly four firefighters in 2007 and 15 in 2009. The board took note of the alert for consideration at its budget meeting next month.

Everett Myers, Marine on St. Croix, joined discussion of a letter from the Marine Ambulance Fund-raising Committee to reconsider a request for funds for a new ambulance.

Myers said they still need $38,000 of the required $150,000. He did not know why they were not using bonding and why they did not budget from their service fees. Scandia has a policy not to contribute, but historically they have made such contributions. The matter will be revisited at the budget meeting next month.

Parks committee member Dave Smith requested funding for updated maps of New Scandia Township. These aerial maps can show water, wetlands, soil type, DNR, usage, population, ownership, etc.

The board approved $2800 (1/2 general and 1/2 park funds) for four large quadrant base maps of the township. The maps will be available for multiple uses at the town hall. Updates and more detailed maps of specific areas will be obtainable at various prices.

The town board approved $2900 for a survey and $900 for a detailed map of Lions Park. Local experts have volunteered to finish cleaning up, burning debris and restoring the wetland.

Incorporation

On July 20 at the Scandia Community Center, State Administrative Law Judge, Jim Lafave, presided over a public hearing on incorporation. About a dozen citizens expressed their feelings about the ongoing process of incorporating New Scandia Township into the city of Scandia.

John Lindell, who was the most vocal of opponents to the plan, had a few supporters. Among his long list of objections was his suspicion that without Washington County regulation the leaders could approve development projects more easily.

Some who testified last week thought the move for incorporation was very carefully studied by qualified people and for the most part used unbiased evaluation for the good of the community.

Judge Lafave will review transcripts of the three meetings that have been held in Scandia and make his decision in approximately 30 days.

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