Jackie Lallier
Wyoming Township Reporter

Marianne Gorman, who owns a cabin at 7337 260th St. on Comfort Lake, appeared with her son and daughter at the July 10th Wyoming Town Board meeting to resolve a tree issue from earlier in the year.

The problem began with some tree trimming done in the neighborhood when apparently a stray limb caught an electrical wire and brought it down between the cabin and a shed. Gorman told the town board she and her husband (now deceased) bought the property in 1967 and have “summered” there for 40 years.

On March 24 a neighbor called her home while she was out of town and her daughter, Carol, happened to take the call informing her of the line on the ground, making for a dangerous situation.

Xcel Energy was called a number of times before the family was informed Wyoming Township incurred the problem and told them the township said they should get a licensed electrician and a carpenter to repair the masts, line and fencing.

At last week’s meeting, the township’s records said they requested estimates but the family maintains this was an emergency and spending time to get estimates was not feasible. The cost of repairs (not counting the expense of time family members took time off work to haul debris to the dump, make phone calls or be there to deal with the people making repairs) came to a total of $5821 and the job was not finished until June 23.

Acting Chairman Ron Swenson said he had been an electrician for 40 years and some items on the bill are not connected with electrical “repairs.” The family explained that the service had to be changed from 60 amps to 100 amps to bring it up to code before Xcel Energy would reconnect.

At this point, Town Attorney Tom Fitzpatrick spoke up to say this matter should be referred to the township’s insurance company as a negligence claim and everyone present was in accord with this plan to resolve the issue.

Comp plan

A joint powers agreement with the city of Wyoming for a new comprehensive plan was discussed, including a $45,000 estimated cost for the consulting firm, MFRA, selected by the city that would have to be shared.

The city wants to start work on this plan in September and try to be finished by the end of the year. Since the planned consolidation is still tied up in court, it was the consensus no action can be taken to sign the agreement plus the township needs to come up with funds not in the budget.

Road work

The subject of road work concerning Fawn Trail was addressed because this road needs to be reconstructed in the very near future and will probably have to be raised.

The DNR alledgedly brought the wetland water table up about a foot several years ago here that has caused the road to badly disintegrate.

The town board authorized a maximum figure of $1500 to be paid to WSB to come up with a proposed solution as soon as possible.

Engineer Mark Erichson reported all repairs have been made to the West Comfort road project which will be paved very soon. Also, MNDoT informed him they have started speed studies which indicate a probable 40 mph for Itasca and Heath and 50 mph for July.

The Super America station on US-8 and Greenway applied for renewal of its 3.2 liquor license which was approved.

Nothing further has been heard on the consolidation court hearing.

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