Jackie Lallier
Wyoming Township Reporter

Residents concerned with the proposed paving of West Comfort Drive and Heath Avenue attended the public hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at the Wyoming Township Hall.

A petition with 22 signatures prompted this project which will cost $340,897, with the township cost at $153,588 and the assessable cost at $187,309.

Some residents in the audience said they like the rural aspect of having a dirt road and thought it slowed down the speeders. Others wondered what would happen if a community septic system came through and if the road would have to be redone.

Town Engineer Mark Erichson said he was not aware of any plans for a sewer system in this area any time soon and some of the newer pressure systems do not necessitate tearing up the road.

Also, people in the township typically have not been assessed in the past where a sewer system has been put in later or even when a road needs repair.

Assessment options

Four assessment options were presented:

•(1) $8514 per unit based on parcels that have road front footage

•(2) $7204 per buildable unit based on road front footage

•(3) $7903 per unit based on parcels having road front footage plus parcels in a previous paved area wide assessment

•(4) $6666 per buildable unit based on road front footage and the addition of those parcels having front footage paved in a previous area wide assessment.

All members of the town board favored Option Four. The assessment can be paid over a 10-year period and hardship forms will be made available for property owners on a fixed income.

The town board voted to proceed with the plans and specifications for the road improvements.

Peterson IUP

The board last week also discussed the request for an interim use permit by the owners of Peterson Co., Inc. and Peterson Farms that has been a “working” farm for many years and as such, processes black dirt and manure.

The screening usually starts in late April or early May and can run until the beginning of November. It maintains a typical rural character, regardless of new developments that go up in this area.

The town board approved the IUP for the next three years.

Septic ordinance

The township septic ordinance had been discussed thoroughly by the planning commission and again by the town board.

Officials have tried to come up with a plan that would be fair for all residents but realize that protection of the environment should be of the highest importance.

A resolution was passed 4-1 (Pat Fandel dissenting) to adopt a regulation for the purpose of compliance with Minnesota Statute. A letter will be sent along with a maintenance report form by April 1st each year to properties containing on-site sewage disposal systems due to have maintenance checks.

All systems shall have maintenance checks triennially and residents will be reminded that this should be done early in the year and they should not wait until winter weather sets in.

Other topics

Auditor Mike Pofahl told the town board they have done an excellent job, especially relating to disbursements. The board accepted his report for the record.

The park board will again have the Annual Easter Egg Hunt with the city of Wyoming at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, April 8 in Sunrise Park.

The agenda was set for the township’s annual meeting on March 13th.

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