Jackie Lallier
Wyoming Township Reporter

The subject of the consolidation of Wyoming city and township, which has dragged on for well over a year because of hostile annexation petitions from Chisago City and the City of Stacy, was brought up at the March 27 town board meeting.

After many months of non-response from Chisago City on the subject, Town Board Chair Roger Elmore personally submitted a plea on Jan. 23 to the mayor and city council of Chisago City for development of a joint committee of representatives from Wyoming, Wyoming Township, Stacy and Chisago City. The committee would explore the ramifications of the annexation petitions.

For the past two months, this plea has been ignored and finally at a short meeting with Chisago City on March 16th, the township was told this plea was addressed with their attorney in a closed-door meeting and it would never be addressed by the city council at a regular meeting, Elmore reported.

Instead, two proposals were submitted to the township. Now, in addition to taking over the land, Chisago City wants either 15 percent (Proposal A) or 35 percent (Proposal B) of “all the assets from the township” (meaning money, vehicles, etc.).

The board voted against acceptance of either of these proposals.

Elmore also reported on a March 23 meeting with Stacy officials regarding the 780 acres Stacy wants to annex. Stacy is adamant they will not budge on their petition for hostile annexation, he said.

The messages from these two cities led to consternation by the audience of how these many months of litigation will affect the taxpayers involved including the budgets that have to be changed to accommodate the legal fees.

Perhaps some people will remember what happened from the last hostile annexation and speak up at council meetings or write their name more clearly on petitions they are asked to sign, officials said.

Town appointments

Usual business was also handled March 27:

Jerry Owens and Ron Swenson were sworn in to serve the board. Elmore was voted to remain Chairman and Swenson the vice chairman.

Mark Utecht was appointed a voting member and Owens a non-voting member of the planning commission. Jim Herschelman will continue on the commission until his term expires this year and if Jim Gerard is willing to continue to serve, he will be accepted. However, there is still one open position.

Owens is amenable to taking over the liaison positions on the board that Jeff Eiffler held except for the Rush Line project which Mark Utecht will handle.

The parks and recreation board is in need of people to serve, especially with the change in the seasons.

Those serving on the emergency management committee will be re-appointed unless they request to opt out when their terms expire in 2007;

Frank Storm was appointed citizen at large to the board of appeal.

It was decided the town board meetings would continue on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. First State Bank of Wyoming remains the official bank.

Other business

John Koalska, 24970 Hazel Ave., has applied for a variance which the planning commission voted to deny because Koalska has an old garage on the property and built a new one eight years ago in violation of the zoning law as he cannot have both

Because of personal problems, he is asking for a longer period of time to correct the situation as the old garage is used for animals. However, there currently is no way to legally do this and the township must follow county laws concerning variances, officials pointed out.

Koalska was advised to contact an attorney to look for a possible alternative.

The planning commission has been working on tree conservation following a plan Forest Lake has in place.

It was reported a “planner” will be hired to work on the new comprehensive plan for the city of Wyoming, incorporating the present plan the township is using.

The town board authorized $3195 to replace the hot-water pressure washer that is 17 years old and for which parts are no longer available. It was noted by town officials that the price has not increased all these years so it is a good deal.

Top of Page