Alice Pickering
Linwood Area Reporter

Linwood Township residents seem satisfied with their tax bills and property valuations.

Only one resident showed up at the board of review on April 24. Linwood ranks 111 of 113 metro communities for its total tax burden in 2006, expressed in effective tax rate.

This is according to the Citizens League of Minnesota (www.citizensleague.net).

Other topics

New owners for the house at 22638 Feather Street have begun to repair the structure, according to Attorney Gerald Randall. From what he has learned, an investment company has bought the house. He will continue to monitor the clean up of the property at the direction of the township.

The township is to issue checks to cover filing fees, related to the clean-up of a house on 227th Street. There are several other houses which supervisors identified while on road review, that need cleanup. Property owners are to be sent letters, referencing the township’s ordinances about trash in yards.

In action related to complaints about the lot owned by Kevin Ryan, the pre-trial hearing has been held. Randall told him proposals for cleanup need to be submitted in writing and must meet the township codes.

There was continued discussion about adding about five hours each week to the number hours worked by the Senior Assistant. Supervisors Howard Holm and Scott Bailey support the action. Work varies from week to week; from work in the senior center and also the food shelf.

Supervisor Robert Johnson has made no personal visits to the senior center to observe the assistant’s responsibilities, but asked Senior Coordinator Judy Hanna for her opinion. Hanna believes the extra hours could not be justified.

Howard Nessel, chair of the senior advisory board, supported the additional hours which might make the difference between having someone reliable or losing a good employee to another job. He was upset letters from the board were returned several times for more information.

The board approved the appointment of Sandy Lathrop to the cemetery committee. Holm recommended the action adding that she has been working to generate a comprehensive record of the lots in the cemetery, compiling it from several partial lists.

Holm suggested a line item be included in the general budget for cemetery upkeep, which can be used for any maintenance. When the cemetery perpetual care fund was set up, the intent was to use it for future care and maintenance.

However, the fund itself must remain intact and only the interest may be used for this. Since the fund is still small, there is little available cash to use. No decision was made at the meeting, but will be considered in the future.

There have also been two complaints about two dangerous dogs that have bitten residents. Owners of both dogs are to be put on notice about control of the animals.

Randall told the board that more needs to be done to criminalise owners of dangerous dogs.

Plan approvals

Supervisors approved several applications for land use.

A preliminary sketch plant was approved for Sue Lien, 9455 Fawn Lake Drive. The planning and zoning commission recommended approval, but suggested a change in design for the cul-de-sac to allow for emergency vehicles. Approval was unanimous, 4-0. Supervisor Johnson arrived later in the meeting.

A land split for Ed and Karen Kramer was approved. The proposed division meets all ordinance requirements, including road frontage.

Planning and zoning recommended approval. The vote was 4-0.

A conforming lot split for Carroll P. Anderson was approved 4-0. The division is a metes and bound division, located near the intersection of Ryan Lake Drive and Thames Street.

By unanimous vote, the board accepted the proposal of Great Northern Landscapes, Inc., to install the underground lawn sprinkler system for the Boettcher Farm park project. The price for the work is for $17,325.

Other business

In other business, the board:

•Approved the appointment of Melvin Pfaffendorf to the Linwood Senior Advisory Board. The vote was 3-0, with Supervisor Phil Osterhus abstaining.

•Reminded residents the next pet clinic is set 9-11 a.m., Saturday, May 19.

Top of Page