Alice Pickering
Linwood Area Reporter

A sign at Linwood Pizza proclaims open for business, but unless some required inspections are completed within two weeks, Linwood Township officials will close it.

Owner Brad Hanson has been expanding and remodeling his business near the intersection of Viking Blvd. and Typo Creek Drive, but no certificate of occupancy has been issued, Linwood officials confirmed last week.

In a memo sent to the board, Attorney Gerald Randall listed the things Hanson needs to do to obtain document. Fire Chief Joe Dolphy independently brought his concerns to the board meeting.

He told the board that “there definitely need to be fire inspections done.” Dolphy said this should have been done before the pizza operation was reopened.

Minnesota’s universal building code requires inspection of structure, electrical systems, and plumbing systems, and passing these inspections successfully, only then is a certificate of occupancy issued. Dolphy said Hanson “knows the rules going in and he is jeopardizing public safety.”

Dolphy said there is no way to know if there are any hazards in the building and no blueprint is available. This added to the longstanding confusion about the property lines for the area. His strongest statement was that the township needs to “get him into compliance or shut him down,” Dolphy said.

Randall outlined the required inspections and recommended the action. Compliance means a scheduled fire inspection. It also means a plumbing inspection with a licensed plumber and with building inspector Dave Thompson present. Hanson must arrange for the final electrical inspection.

Supervisors unanimously authorized a letter with the requirements to be delivered to Hanson. The vote was 4-0; Supervisor Phil Osterhus did not attend.

According to Clerk Judy Hanna, the Anoka County deputy was given the letter Friday. Hanson has 10 days after receiving the letter to get the inspections completed satisfactorily, in order to keep his business open.

Fire Dept. news

In other fire-related business, Dolphy took information from the spreadsheet report from the BWCA fire fighting stint. After all firefighters have been paid, $9193 will come to the township.

Firefighter Andrew Luedtke has successfully completed his six month probationary period. Both he and Kevin Kreigshauser will be attending medical training classes. Luedtke will also have additional firefighter training in the coming months.

The firefighter wage and compensation package is waiting for final comments from Randall. The goal is to have this finalized by the end of the third quarter.

The thermal imaging camera is working well. It can be used for both fire fights and search and rescue missions. Cost of the camera, including tax was $6800. It was purchased with dedicated funds raised by the department and auxiliary.

Plans are ongoing for the fire department dance in conjunction with Linwood Family Fun Day on Sept. 8. The Killer Hayseeds is the band that will provide music for the dance, a recent change.

More news

Township recycling day expenses totaled $9534.35 and generated fees totaling $5558.90. The balance in the township’s recycling account is $3975.45.

Payment of the township bills in the amount of $203,392.40 was authorized. These include $106,818.05 for street maintenance; second quarter payment of the sheriff’s contract of $52,700.75; $18,205 for engineering fees; and $5150 for Fire Relief payment.

The board authorized advertising in the Line Chaser, a publication targeted at car buffs and fans. This is in conjunction with the advertising for Linwood Family Fun Day. A car show is scheduled for the day, with Supervisor Robert Johnson organizing the event. The board authorized $300 from the Linwood Family Fun Day Fund.

Johnson anticipates a car show will be a good draw for Family Fun Day. He anticipates $7 for advance tickets with $10 at the gate. The board approved action unanimously.

Other business

In other business, the town board:

•Learned Karen Skepper, community development manager for Anoka County will return Aug. 14 to discuss the balance in the account for Linwood, which is available for economic development assistance in the township.

•Accepted Marlys Ostlund’s resignation from the park board

•Learned that there has been an increase in the use of food shelf since the beginning of June.

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