Alice Pickering
Linwood Area Reporter

The Wildlife Science Center has purchased land in Linwood Township for an expanded and upgraded facility.

Currently located on the old Carlos Avery game farm headquarters on West Broadway in Columbus, the new 160-acre site is located on Anoka CR-75 or Sunrise Road. The center has acquired an old farm site with terrain that is varied and offering a diverse habitat which is ideal for program expansion.

Brian Larson, Larson Brenner Architects, presented exhibits and an overview of plans for development of the site as an expanded location for the research and teaching facilities.

The project to convert the land to research and teaching center is in the master planning stage. Facility development will support and enhance existing programs at the WSC.

Future plans include building some primitive cabins, animal enclosures, board walk to the Sunrise River, and development of an archery range.

While there will be some construction, exhibits show that the character of the land will be maintained. The center hopes to put in a well this fall.

Construction will begin no earlier than late summer 2008.

The WSC is staffed with professionals and is an international center for wildlife study.

Peggy Callahan, founder and director, focused her comments to the town board last week on existing programs and answered questions.

One sponsored activity is youth archery hunts during deer season each year, to give youth with no opportunity to hunt access to the activity.

Callahan told the board that the DNR has granted 10 licenses annually in perpetuity for this activity.

For wild animals under study, all animals will be in secure enclosures as they are now in Columbus.

Supervisor Howard Holm, who lives nearby, believes the Wildlife Science Center will be good neighbors.

Supervisors and the planning and zoning commission met in joint session for this presentation on Tuesday, Nov. 13.

Power plans

Gary Ostrum, Great River Energy, brought the board up to speed on progress for the substation planned along CR-22. Great River Energy must yet complete the land exchange; 40 acres further south for the five acres needed for the substation.

Location of the site is on the south side of CR-22 about two miles west of I-35, near the eastern border of Carlos Avery. Representatives from DNR, Anoka Highway Dept. and an Anoka County commissioner attended the public meeting, according to Ostrum.

The permit for access to CR-22 must be obtained. After the formal lot split, the deed must be brought back to the township.

Officials asked to be kept up-to-date on the transactions and any new information. There are no additional requirements other than the building permit which must be obtained. The town board approved the lot split for the land, contingent on securing DNR signatures.

It has taken about six months, but the clean-up of a badly neglected house on 226th Ave. is nearly complete, according to Holm who was ramrod for the effort. Attorney Gerald Randall tracked down a representative of the limited liability company which owned the house to get consent for the action.

The legal process to contact the owner was lengthy, but finally consent was granted for the township to clear the lot of debris. About four roll-off containers were filled with debris from the yard. Too dangerous to enter, the house itself was pushed over by township employees. Site will be cleared when another container arrives. The township may make an offer for the lot, along with five other contiguous lots along the same street.

Dave Thompson, building inspector, told the board that a certificate of occupancy has finally been issued for the Country Store. The gas regulator for the building was changed about 10 days ago. Thompson indicated that only the fire inspection needs to be completed.

By unanimous vote, the board tabled a decision on granting the liquor license for 3.2 beer until the Nov. 27 meeting. At least one of the representatives of the business is to appear at the meeting to answer any questions.

Holm reported questions from some residents about the high fees for building permits. Thompson told the board that the northern metro area has some of the lowest rates. He works from a published fee book which is issued new about every three years. The fees set in the ICC codes are much higher, Thompson said.

Fire Dept.

In his written report, Fire Chief Joe Dolphy told the board he anticipates this is his last year as chief.

In his review of the fire department constitution, Randall recommended the board review the document. There is some departure from things which the board tried to correct in the past.

An earlier version stated that fire department officers have to be approved by the board. In this latest draft, that is not the case. Randall viewed this part as a “move backward.” The entire document is very detailed for a constitution, he said, adding that he believes some of the details might be better addressed as by-laws.

New complaints include a house on 216th street, a foreclosed property on which garbage is being dumped. Randall is to contact the mortgage company to have the area cleaned.

The trial for Kevin Ryan is scheduled January 16, after a second continuance. One reason for the continuance is that Ryan claimed in court that his position was not fairly heard at the last board meeting he attended. The tape of the meeting is to be made available for the trial.

Other business

In other business Nov. 13, the town board:

•Will seek more information from Anoka County HRA about a feasibility study related to high-speed internet service in Linwood.

•Learned that the cemetery committee has nearly completed the compilation of all cemetery records into one complete data file.

•Accepted the treasurer’s report for October to be placed on file.

•Approved animal control and petty cash reports for October.

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