Alice Pickering
Linwood Area Reporter

While it may not always be obvious to Linwood Township residents, the Anoka County Sheriff’s Department is an active presence in the township. That is the message Sgt. David Wiley and Deputy Joe Burk brought to a special informational meeting in Linwood on Feb. 27.

At the last town board meeting, a number of residents requested more visible presence of marked cars because they had observed fewer problems with speeding and heavy traffic in their neighborhoods when deputies are patrolling.

Among the things learned from the deputies is that the Sudafed law passed several years ago has helped reduce the number of meth labs. One reason is because it is becoming harder to get essential ingredients to make the drug.

Drug trafficking is starting to move north into Isanti County because of the police presence and pressure in Linwood, the officials said. Effort has to be put into arresting and convicting larger suppliers.

In particular, one big drug supplier in Linwood was convicted of a federal drug charge and is serving a jail term of more than 20 years.

As a result of the police contract approved by residents several years ago, there has been an increase in the number of arrests in Linwood on outstanding warrants, according to Clerk Judy Hanna. Deputies routinely use pins on a map to indicate where they have responded to calls and the situation.

The year after contract police protection began in Linwood deputies made the largest number of warrant arrests ever. There is a more consistent approach to police work, because of regular patrols by the same deputy. The deputy can get to know residents and routines in the township. Unusual behavior shows up often because “things don’t look right.”

Residents complained about the associated problems of property destruction and theft as a result of drug trafficking in the neighborhoods. Some are afraid of the activities, including lights shining in windows, noise at all hours of the night.

There are also complaints that drug activities continue at some houses and there were questions about why there have been no arrests. Yet it seems residents are often stopped for what seem to be minor traffic violations.

Deputies explained that sometimes a stop for a small infraction provides an opportunity to check for other infractions.

Cases must be built carefully. Sometimes a small violation provides an opportunity to get other information. One piece of information about a different problem may provide the opportunity for a more thorough search. Deputies use the little stuff to get to bigger things. Resources are always part of the problem.

One thing which was especially stressed is that deputies have to accumulate enough evidence to support probable cause for a search warrant. Sworn statements are vital. Specific details, names, dates, license numbers, and descriptions of people are essential. They asked residents to be patient about the time it takes to build cases that stand up legally.

For those concerned about personal security, Wiley told the group individuals can report things to the sheriff’s department as a “confidential caller.” This means that while the documentation may take name, address, and phone number, these are not released to the public.

Supervisor Scott Bailey said there are some houses he knows where he thinks there is drug use or sales and there are many children living in the house.

Wiley said child protective services in Anoka County have some of the most stringent rules for children protection in the metro area. If even minimal evidence exists of child endangerment, children are removed from threatening situations. This is sometimes the way deputies gain access to a house where later drug arrests have been made.

Some cities have enacted ordinances that help.

Andover has one related to rental properties that have many complaints. If an address has repeated police calls, the landlord is obligated to evict renters. Finally, a reminder from Wiley and Burk for residents, “We’re on the same side.”

Budget update

Supervisors have reached agreements on a proposed 2008 budget to be presented at the township’s annual meeting, March 13.

As presented at the board meeting, the 2008 budget is proposed at $1,426,000 and the proposed 2008 tax levy is also $1,426,000. The vote was 4-0.

Supervisor Howard Holm did not attend the meeting.

Supervisor Phil Osterhus thought that the estimated non-levy revenue in the range of about $200,000 would enable the board to reduce the proposed budget by a like amount.

The board approved the proposed budget and levy for 2008 pending clarification of non-levy revenue estimates by auditor David Stene. Osterhus proposes reducing the proposed levy to $1,326,000. His thinking is that residents are seeking fiscal responsibility.

Asked about the township’s budget reserve, he said Stene thinks the amounts are adequate. The budget and levy amounts ready to go into the annual meeting were approved unanimously 4-0, pending advice and comments from Stene.

Once the routine business of the meeting is completed, the agenda will include information from the auditor. Supervisor Michael Parker will present an overview of the general budget, including comparisons between 2007 and proposed budget for 2008.

Osterhus will report on the budgets for road and bridge, fire department, and police. Holm will summarize budget information for the senior center and Robert Johnson is to do the same for the park and recreation commission.

Residents were reminded of the annual township meeting at 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 13 at the Linwood Senior Center.

In city governments, it is the council that determines the budget and levy. In townships, residents approve the levy directly.

The meeting agenda is posted on the township website (http://linwoodtownship.org). Budget and levy information is also available on the website. Printed copies of the budget will be available at the annual meeting.

Other topics

A pre-trial hearing for Kevin Ryan will take place in April. Attorney Tom Fitzgerald provided the information in the absence of Gerald Randall. According to Fitzgerald, a public defender was appointed for Ryan. Ryan was given the time to hire his own attorney. He is charged with having a nuisance house.

A pre-trial hearing related to another nuisance house is scheduled for mid-March. There may be a foreclosure involved with this case with bank acting on the foreclosure may be involved in the cleanup before the sale.

A proposed change in the building ordinance was referred back to planning and zoning for clarification. A number of requests for variance for the location of accessory buildings closer to the road than the house have prompted a proposed change in the ordinance.

Language suggested was that the design of the accessory building be harmonious with the dwelling and consistent with the style of the siding and roof of the dwelling. Since the cost of stick buildings is more expensive than pole buildings, Parker wanted to be certain the language did not restrict the materials to stick construction. Johnson had the same questions.

By a 3-1 vote the matter was referred back to the commission.

The appointment of Mel Pfaffendorf to the Linwood Senior Advisory Board was revisited Feb. 27. The board can have between nine and 15 members. The recommendation for appointment came from the senior advisory board. At the last meeting, the board voted down the appointment because with Pfaffendorf on the board there would be an even number of advisors and his wife is also on the board.

Osterhus recommended denial because Pfaffendorf “tries to run the meeting.” Pfaffendorf, who does attend the advisory meetings, responded that Osterhus has his own agenda (for opposing the appointment). Osterhus made the motion to deny the appointment.

During discussion, Johnson deferred to Osterhus’ observations. The vote to deny appointment was 2-2. Osterhus and Johnson voted in favor of denying the appointment; and Bailey and Parker voted against denying the appointment. The net effect of the tie vote was no action, the motion did not pass.

A proposal by Steve Strandlund to exchange grading and leveling work on the park areas of Boettcher Farm Estates, for the balance of the park dedication fee, was referred back to the parks commission. Strandlund estimates it would cost about $65,000 to complete the work and he would do it for the $50,000 that is the balance of the park dedication fee.

The offer would allow a head start on the improvements to two soccer fields and would mean moving top soil, leveling the ground, and then spreading the black dirt again.

Johnson is liaison to the parks commission, but was not certain of the actual cost of the work. Vote was 4-0 to refer the matter back to parks.

Other business

In other business, the board:

•Accepted the bid from Kramer Mechanical in the amount of $2700 to replace the furnace and underground gas lines for the warming house.

•Learned the Met Council wants the township to have its comprehensive plan updated by May 2007.

•Authorized up to $400 for Bailey to get the training needed to be certified as a tree inspector.

•Learned that bids for the 2007 township road projects are to be opened March 12.

•Learned estimates for repair of the garage doors may cost $75-$100.

Top of Page