Jackie Lallier
Wyoming Township Reporter

A number of service organizations appeared at the Wyoming Township Board Meeting April 10 to plea for funding.

Sharon Gregor, case manager for New Pathways, explained her group focuses on children and families and have partnered with 16 churches to provide transitional shelter to homeless families with children.

Ken Tolzmann and Pam Trudeau represented the Lakes Area Youth Service Bureau. The YSB offered direct service to 22 kids in Wyoming Township last year.

Their two biggest directives are the Community Justice Program aimed at first time low-level offenders and a Prevention Program involving self-esteem building, discipline issues, tobacco and drug situations and parenting skills.

Roger Sellman explained the various services offered by the Chisago County Senior Center such as Meals on Wheels, meals at the center, hearing testing, a visiting nurse for blood pressure, a foot clinic aimed at diabetics, bingo, cards, crafts, walking, biking, 55 Alive Courses and working with school organizations.

Shellene Johnson from The Refuge Network outlined their purpose of providing supportive services for people who are currently involved in or have been involved in an abusive relationship. They do referrals and are involved in child protection, divorce issues, elderly abuse and are also expanding into youth areas such as dating violence issues.

Brenda Zelinka, manager of Northwoods Humane Society, said they manage with two full-time (among 19) paid staff and 185 volunteers. She pointed out that human abuse and animal abuse are often tied together.

The Seven-County Senior Federation is an organization founded about 30 years ago by a strong, active group of seniors. Lisa Krahn said dues are purposely affordable for persons of 50 plus years and most members are over 80. Their primary resource has been a thrift shop in Mora staffed by senior volunteers since 1996. Statistics show they serve 480 townships.

The Ag Society operates the county fair and Tim Holt explained the expenses for the last two years have exceeded proceeds and they need to look for funding in order to keep the “free gate” status.

The barns are overflowing, they need new facilities for the horses, the 4-H cafeteria that raises money for 4-H projects needs to be replaced, and monies are needed for the magic show planned and other “kid” programs. They also have a “Senior of the Year” dinner which is very popular but most of the building facilities on the grounds need to be updated.

Family Pathways did not have a representative present but sent a letter. The board will take time to consider requests and make funding decisions at their next meeting.

Staff reports

Zoning Administrator Fred Weck reported 461 households are being sent letters of explanation on the maintenance inspections of current sewer systems.

Byron Olson, street superintendent, said the old hot-water pressure washer has a value of $300 and asked the board what he should do with it. The board opted to give Olson permission to use his discretion to sell it.

The question was brought up by board member Ron Swenson about having two board members on the planning commission who “vote” on matters. After talking the matter over and finding other cities and townships have the same situation, it was decided that since the commission is short of members and is considered an “advisory” committee, no real voting problem exists.

The township regulations were read to the board and seem to be not entirely clear on this point so the township attorney will be asked to clarify this point.

Engineer Mark Erichson said he plans to meet with a number of residents in connection with concerns they might have on the West Comfort, Heath and Blue Spruce projects. The board authorized the advertisement for bids for this work to be placed.

Legal update

In response to a point brought up by Olson, Erichson will prepare a map explicitly defining all possible future areas of expansion by cities nearby in Chisago County such as Wyoming/Wyoming Township, Stacy/Lent, Chisago City/Chisago Township to see the correlation to other city /townships in the state.

These particular boundaries have been addressed by the township before but it is felt it should be brought up again on May 24th at 9 a.m.

Oral arguments will be heard in the Court of Appeals, Courtroom 200, Minnesota Judicial Center, 25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, in again pursuing an alternative writ of mandamus against the Minnesota Office of Administrative Hearing because the judge in the previous district court hearing did not make a definitive decision that would allow for any way to deal with the on-going “limbo” of the Township of Wyoming in its request to merge with the city of Wyoming because of the hostile annexation petitions from Chisago City and Stacy.

In May, the matter will be decided upon by a panel of three judges: Christopher J. Dietzen, Renee L. Worke and Terri J. Stoneburner. This panel will have 90 days to render a decision.

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