Alice Pickering
Linwood Area Reporter

The Linwood Town Board on May 9 unanimously approved a request from Steve Peloquin for permission to run a sewer line under a street for clients David and Rebecca Davies. The placement of the sewer line would connect their home to a proposed septic site.

The Davies own four lots, two on each side of the road.

The lots cannot be combined, because of the intervening road, but conduit deeds can be issued. That means the lots must always be sold together. Approval is contingent of approval by Engineer Craig Jochum.

It was recommended that the proposed two-inch line be enclosed in a rigid sleeve to protect from freezing or collapse.

Property splits that are not in platted developments are made by metes and bounds divisions. According to Attorney Gerald Randall, township ordinances do not mesh with state ordinances in this matter. He is to put the township ordinances in compliance with the state ordinances and submit to planning and zoning for review.

More reports

Randall also reported that cases involving two complaints have scheduled court dates. In another case, an order to raze a partially burned house on 225th Ave. is to be sent to the owner. The owner will have 30 days to comply or the township will order the job done and assess costs to the property.

The board appointed Frank Kvidera, road foreman and responsible for directing the placement of road sweepings. The annual work will be completed within a month. Kvidera will determine where some sweepings can be placed on road shoulders. Township employees will haul sweepings to township stockpile when necessary and at Kvideraís direction. The motion was passed unanimously.

The board awarded the bid to grind stumps along Birchwood Circle to Pro Cut Lawn Care. Approval was for up to $1000 to complete the work. This is to be completed after trees have been cut from the road right-of-way. This is to prevent saplings from growing from the stumps of the cut trees. Bob Beckman, chair of the road and bridge committee, said the oak trees which must be cut, will be done in July.

The results of the fire department evaluation last September shows the ISO is rating improved. The effect of the rating change should result in decreases in household insurance premiums because of the improved fire protection. However, homeowners may have to notify their insurance companies.

Supervisors unanimously approved a requirement that a representative of the Linwood Community and School Forest Committee present a monthly report at the first meeting of each month. Supervisor Dave Tryon wants proposed projects to be presented for approval.

Clerk Judy Hanna explained that usually the group presents a report and a request for project approval at the annual meeting. This year these reports were waived. Tryon is concerned the group is making decisions and/or improvements are being made without approval from the board, no matter who is paying for the projects.

Supervisor Scott Bailey, town board liaison, was concerned the funds the group has raised are not earning more interest.

Election news

After discussion, the board voted 4-1 against placing the position of town clerk and town treasurer on the general election ballot in November. Linwood citizens this spring approved an election format change to November for town elections.

Supervisor Mel Pfaffendorf spoke in support of continuing to elect the clerk and treasurer.

Because of the changing technical skills required and concern about time it takes to learn the job when there is a change as a result of an election, Supervisor Mike Parker said he is in favor of hiring the clerk. This would provide continuity in the position. Elected terms are for only two years.

The board set an adjournment time for meetings at 9:30 p.m. Board meetings have routinely been running much later than that.

The request came from Tryon. The vote was 5-0.

There was discussion about the attendance requirements for members of town commissions. Tryon said he wants uniformity for committee attendance.

Randall said the internal control can be made into a resolution. The board approved a resolution to make attendance policy uniform for every committee. Randall will put the motion in written format.

There was a request from Supervisor Philip Osterhus that articles written for the Linwood Ledger have an authorís name. Hanna explained that often the board requests articles that are written by staff, but they are always approved by the board.

Other business

In other business, the board:

ïHeard resident comments about proposed work to straighten and upgrade 226th Ave. Most concerns were about the loss of trees along the right of way.

ïUnanimously approved a two-percent cost-of-living increase for township employees retroactive to January 1, 2006.

ïRe-appointed Marie Holm as a member of the Sunrise River Watershed Commission.

ïApproved the appointment of Jan Erickson to the senior advisory board.

ïApproved the appointment of Tom Searing to the road and bridge committee.

ïApproved an increase in pay for township election judges to $8 an hour.

ïLearned from Hanna that the committee organizing Linwood Family Fun Day continues to add activities for the event scheduled on Saturday, Sept. 9.

ïLearned that 600 crab apple, hackberry, and black walnut trees were given away the week following recycling day.

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