April 9th, 2024
Minutes of April 9, 2024, Monthly Meeting
The April 9, 2024, monthly meeting of Fairfield Township was called to order at 5:00 PM by Chairman Phil Yetzer. Other board members present were Supervisor Les McCoy, Supervisor Molly Swaggert, Treasurer Kathy Hachey and Clerk Marianne Auge. Aso present was Gene Moritz and Al Brenczyk.
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
The agenda was reviewed. Phil made a motion move public comment and new business to # 4 on the agenda and Molly 2nd the motion and it carried unanimously. Les made a motion to approve the agenda as revised and Molly 2nd the motion and it carried unanimously.
Gene Moritz said he went to Crow Wing County planning and zoning, and they told him he could get a permit to dig a ditch on his property from the state land. Gene said the dirt could be piled on the north side so it would be high enough to drive across. Les said the township plans to take the culverts out on the north/south section of road from Osvold corner to Bass Lake Road and build up the road so the water would flow to the north on the west side of the road to keep it off Gene’s property. Gene said there is also water coming from Bass Lake because of the beaver dam on the south end of the lake. Gene asked if the township would dig out the ditch on his property or pay for a contractor to dig it out. Les said he didn’t think the township can use their equipment to dig on private land and he didn’t think the township can use taxpayers money to pay a contractor to dig on private land. Les said we would talk to the township attorney and see if there is anything we can do. Phil asked Gene if he could meet with him and see the area in question. Phil and Gene will get together to review the area.
New Business: Al Brenczyk from Big Al’s Bar and Grill asked the board to approve a Combination On/Off Sale and Sunday Liquor License for his bar. Phil made a motion to approve the Combination On/Off Sale and Sunday Liquor License for Big Al’s Bar and Grill. Molly 2nd the motion and it carried unanimously.
Phil made a motion to approve the meeting dates for May 2024 to April 2025 that the clerk gave them at the March meeting. Molly 2nd the motion and it carried unanimously.
Wages: Les made a motion to keep the wages as they are and Molly 2nd the motion and it carried unanimously. Les made a motion to pay the election judges $18.00 per hour and the head election judges $22.00 per hour. Molly 2nd the motion and it carried unanimously.
Molly made a motion to keep Chairman, road supervisor and building/cemetery maintenance the same as they are now and Les 2nd the motion and it carried unanimously.
Computers were discussed for the clerk and treasurer. Phil made a motion to spend up to $5500.00 for new Mac laptops for the clerk and treasurer and Molly 2nd the motion and it carried unanimously.
The Re Use Program was discussed. Kathy said it was a program where residents can bring used cleaning items and paint to the landfill so other people could get them to use. She said it would be nice if we could set it up at the town hall. Phil said we are not at the town hall enough to have it set up. The board will think about the Re Use program.
Les asked if we could put an ad in the newspaper for a part- time Grader/Heavy Equipment Operator. Phil made a motion to put an ad in the newspaper for a part-time Grader /Heavy Equipment operator and Les 2nd the motion and it carried unanimously. The clerk will write up the ad and have Les approve. Will put it in the Crosby Courier and the New Hopper.
The Crosslake Fire Contract was discussed. Phil made a motion to approve the Crosslake Fire Contract and Les 2nd the motion and it carried unanimously.
The bills were read. Les made a motion to pay the bills and Molly 2nd the motion and it carried unanimously.
The minutes of the March 14, 2024, monthly meeting were read. Molly made a motion to approve the minutes and Les 2nd the motion and it carried unanimously.
The April 3,2024 Road inspection minutes were reviewed. Molly made a motion to approve the road inspection minutes and Les 2nd the motion and it carried unanimously.
The treasurer’s report was read. Phil made a motion to place it for audit and Molly 2nd the motion and it carried unanimously.
Kathy said she attended the short course at the Sugar Lake Lodge, and she said we should have a sign that says private on our locked door in the town hall. She said the township should adopt a data retention schedule.
Phil made a motion to authorize the board to attend the Crow Wing County Township Association meeting on March 24, 2024, at the Daggett Brook Town Hall and to pay for mileage and a meeting. Molly 2nd the motion and it carried unanimously.
Clean-up day is scheduled for May 18, 2024. The post card was reviewed, and the clerk will make the changes and have them printed. The clerk will get address labels from the county. The clerk will order Pizza from Big Al’s on 6 and will get some bottled water for that day.
Old Business: Roads: Les said we still need to replace the culverts on Bonnie Lakes Road. Les said he asked Andy Moritz for an estimate on replacing the culverts. Les said we would check out the brush piles that Doug Svihel asked if the township could chip when we have road inspection.
Dust control was discussed. Les said the price of calcium chloride keeps going up and the cost for the township goes up each year. The township will do dust control this year. The township will discuss if we should keep doing dust control after we get the cost for this year’s dust control.
Kathy brought up the Flock Security and suggested we have Craig Katzenberger come to a meeting to talk about it.
Go North: Sketches of Minnesota is coming to Emily for dinner and a comedy improv show on July 26, 2024 at 5:00 PM at the Emily City Hall..
Correspondence was read.
Les made a motion to adjourn and Molly 2nd the motion and it carried unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 6:36 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Marianne Auge, clerk