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Building permit report given to Linwood Town Board |
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Wednesday, 23 April 2008 |
Alice Pickering
Linwood Area Reporter
Linwood Township officials recently received an up date on building permit fees. In Linwood, fees are based on the universal building code, according to Dave Thompson, building inspector.
Permit fees are much lower in some neighboring communities, said Supervisor Howard Holm.
Thompson said permits are supposed to be related to the value of the job and the materials, and every project is a little different. Holm suggested looking at the actual cost to the township of providing the service and using a flat rate for some permits.
Supervisors agreed that the township should recover costs, but will re-visit this issue to negotiate an adjustment to the permit fees.
Fire news
The town board approved purchase of a new heating system for the fire station. Fire Chief Joe Dolphy requested Kramer Mechanical to install the new system.
The area company can service the unit. Part of the difficulty is that the wrong kind of boiler was used initially. Repairs would be complicated by changes in model so adaptations would have to be made.
Volunteers in the department completed the medical refresher classes in March. These are requirements which must be met every two years.
The department has installed high-speed internet and is working out the bugs in the printer terminal so on-line dispatching is operational.
The 2009 Linwood budget includes plans to install two warning sirens for bad weather. Dolphy asked for board direction and authorization to locate the first of these sirens.
The board approved the appointment of a new volunteer firefighter Michael James Christian. He has successfully passed the physical agility test and has the recommendation of the interview committee.
The department has applied for an assistance to firefighters grant for the department’s engine 2, a 1985 Chevrolet, Dolphy said.
There were 11 emergency calls in March, four were for fires and seven were medicals.
No burning permits will be issued until there is some vegetation, the chief reported.
Pay issues
Rudi McCurdy expressed concerns of about some supervisors attending extra meetings and the amount of meeting pay. His concern was tied to lower than desirable township reserves.
McCurdy referenced Minnesota Association of Township guidelines that say board members are to document meeting attendance.
Howard Holm said he was more hurt than angry that McCurdy thought supervisors were abusing their positions. He said he spends a lot of time in preparation for meetings and completing research for others.
Holm said sign-in sheets, and documentation through minutes was adequate to prove attendance at these meetings. Although liaison meetings are usually short, some conferences may last all day; it evens out and $75 per meeting.
Marie Holm, a former supervisor, said she is glad some board members are retired so they have the time to attend the meetings they need to in order to be knowledgeable supervisors.
For Mike Parker, often the liaison brings back to the board the actual comments, rather than relying on a report. He said it helps keep a connection with the acting committees. Robert Johnson said his experience on the parks committee helps him be in touch with what is actually happening in the community.
McCurdy also addressed the board about what he called “un-truths” that have persisted since he was an incumbent candidate for supervisor in 2006. His opponent was Supervisor Phil Osterhus.
McCurdy works part time at the township offices, four hours a day, at assigned tasks. He was upset about implication that he set his own hours as a part-time employee.
Osterhus said he had not written or repeated any of the comments. McCurdy asked that the untrue allegations not be repeated. He has worked with integrity at all times.
Other news
The building committee continues its assessment of building needs for the township, according to Holm. There are no immediate plans for new buildings now.
But eventually some will need replacement. The group hopes to identify building needs for the future, so budgeting can begin for any new project.
Here is a reminder for residents who want to challenge their property tax bills. In order to do so, they should appear before the board of appeal and equalization at the Linwood Town Hall, 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 22.
The board approved a preliminary sketch plan for Lonnie Lundberg at the March 25 meeting. The development as planned will include seven lots and must be rezoned as part of the development process. Rezoning will be part of the development process.
Other business
In other business, the board:
•Reminded residents of the pet clinic scheduled 9-11 a.m., Saturday, April 19 at old fire department garage.
•Learned the spring recycling day is scheduled 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, April 26 at the town hall.
•Set the annual road review for 5:30 p.m., Monday, May 12.
•Will make changes in the language of the cemetery ordinance.
•Voted to accept a letter of resignation from Tom Searing from the building study committee.
•Announced Mediation Services Volunteer Appreciation and Open House at 5 p.m., Tuesday, April 29.
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