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Linwood hears insurance update
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Wednesday, 02 July 2008
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Alice Pickering
Linwood Area Reporter
Linwood supervisors were led through a review of the township insurance coverage by agent Chris Sauro on June 24. The township structures are insured at 80 percent of replacements value. Coverage of the fire hall has a built-in inflation rate of four percent.
Sauro pointed out that the coverage of the town hall and senior center is at the 2005 level and replacement costs have been increasing.
Supervisor Phil Osterhus requested an increase in the coverage to 100 percent replacement. Building is valued at $1,034,090.
One important concern is the cost of replacing documents from back-up sources. Holm supported an increase in coverage for this. The board voted 4-0 to increase the amount of coverage to restore and replace important documents from $4000 to $10,000. Supervisor Scott Bailey did not attend the meeting.
For the time being Linwood will maintain $110,000 death benefit for families of fire fighters who lose their lives in service. This is supplemental to line-of-duty death benefit $300,000 to $500,000 provided by the state.
Sauro will incorporate other changes requested by the board, including more breakdown of coverage in some areas, but there was basic support of the policy.
Fire Dept.
Linwood Fire Department officers were elected June 4. These are Kendall Minske, Chief; Darryl Ballman, Assist. Chief; Steve Erickson, Capt. 11; Tom Bever, Capt. 12; and Adam Dohm, Secretary.
Officers appointed by Minske are Cary Shepard, Second Assist. Chief; Tom Lukkenon, Capt. 13; Jim Stockinger, Capt. 14; Jeff Willcocks, Lt. 23; Mike Sonnek, Lt. 24; Joe Dolphy, Fire Inspector; and Rich Gabrick, Asst. Fire Marshal.
New officer list was presented by past Chief Dolphy. Department personnel have completed a fire department constitution. The next step is review and approval by Attorney Gerald Randall. Once this is done and firefighters review it, it is to be presented to the board for approval. Dolphy anticipates the process will be completed by the end of September.
According to Dolphy, the communications terminal update should be completed by the end of summer. Costs for the department and township should decrease when this is finished because two dedicated phone lines will no longer be needed.
Plans are to complete paper work to acquire a J-5 Bombardier and trailer from the DNR by the end of September. Dolphy confirmed this is a tracked vehicle used for fighting fires in off-road situations.
There were 25 emergency responses in May. There were 14 fires and 11 medical runs.
Foster care
Resident Leana Wallin who provides short-term foster care for abandoned and mistreated dogs was advised to bring her petition of support from about 20 neighbors to the next township planning & zoning meeting. Wallin attended the meeting after learning that there had been a written complaint from neighbor Irvin LaFountaine, alleging poor management of the animals.
The Wallins, residents since 1998, own two dogs and provide short-term care and training for others, until they can be placed in long-term foster care or adopted. Wallins’ dogs are licensed, but because the other dogs are in their home very short-term, the additional animals are not.
Wallin is a volunteer of Borders Without Boundaries Rescue (www.BRWB.org) a certified dog trainer, a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and advancing her training at the Twin City Obedience Training Club. Kari Rignall of Rescue Animals are Wonderful, a foster care facility for dogs in Stacy, spoke in support of her work; as did Marlene Skinner, who provides contract animal control in Linwood Township.
Supervisor Holm said he supports her work, but believes a conditional use permit or kennel license is necessary. Joe Dolphy, member of P&Z, said a kennel license is necessary. Wallin was invited to the P&Z meeting on July 15. Neighbors will be notified in writing of the hearing.
YSB report
The Lakes Area Youth Service Bureau is a resource for youth up to age 17. Renee Wagner, board member, and Amy O’Neill, member of the executive board, made a presentation about the contributions of the YSB.
YSB programs provide help first-time and low level offenders to help them make behavior changes. According to Wagner, 89 percent of those who have participated in one or more of the programs have not committed other offenses. Of those who have participated in a YSB program, 86 percent believe they have improvements in behavior as a result of the counseling.
The program offers a minimum of five hours of direct service, programs are tailored, include restorative-based service, parenting service, follow-up, and tracks recidivism. Interviews with youth show 86 percent felt there were improvements in their behavior as a result of the counseling.
Wagner said for every dollar spent, seven are saved in other costs. The YSB request is for $3500. The township has $5000 designated for discretionary giving. A decision will be made later.
Other reports
Tuesday, July 15 at 6 p.m. is the next and likely last scheduled meeting to discuss and give final approval of the comprehensive plan. Josh Williams is set to have the document in final form for consideration.
Randall, still in communication with Alan Grinde’s attorney, reported that a lease arrangement for a 40-acre parcel adjacent to the Linwood Community and School Forest is still viable. Randall is waiting for the draft agreement.
Randall asked for information from township records about whether or not a variance was granted for a Dale family in 1995. He is sorting out a question related to title registration. Since the township is mentioned in the suit, he must determine what action was taken.
Osterhus explained that the township is holding off chemical treatment to reduce dust and maintenance on Fontana Street until a decision is made one way or another to pave the street. Gary Wettshreck asked if the program is canceled. Osterhus said this is a short-term delay, not a cancellation of the program. There has been talk of a petition to pave the street which has not yet been presented.
Linwood Family Fun Day planning continues. Some events to be included are a second annual car show, talent contest, pony rides and a pie eating contest. Food booths, vendors, and crafters will have space at the event, and more are welcome. For more information, contact the Linwood Town Hall, 651-462-2812 or the website; http://linwoodtownship.org.
Other business
In other business, the board:
•Authorized payment of the bills in the amount of $70,733.69. Included is the second quarter payment to Anoka County for contract police protection ($57,830).
•Learned that all paperwork is finalized for the township to vacate old Icarus Street.
•Learned the cleanup of junk property on 226th Ave. is completed. The bill of $6028.30 covers employee wages and use of equipment. The amount has been certified to be assessed to the property tax bill for 2009.
•Learned the owner of another house on the same street has not responded to a certified letter related to the condition of his lot.
•Acknowledged payment of $1500, received from one developer to reimburse the township.
•Voted to increase the reimbursement for township mileage from 50.5 cents per mile to 58.5 cents per mile.
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