October 11, 2022
Minutes of October 11, 2022 Monthly Meeting
The October 11 ,2022 monthly meeting of Fairfield Township was called to order at 5:00 PM by Chairman Phil Yetzer. Also present were Supervisor Brian Glenz, Supervisor Les McCoy, Treasurer Kathy Hachey and Clerk Marianne Auge. Also present were the persons on the attached list.
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
The agenda was reviewed. Phil made a motion to move public comment to 2.5, Brian 2nd the motion and it carried. Phil made a motion to approve the agenda and Brian 2nd the motion and it carried unanimously.
Gene Moritz asked if the township had heard anything from the Corp of Engineers on doing something about the flooding of his property. Les said he had sent an e-mail to Shawn of the Corp of Engineers, but he has not heard back from him. Gene asked if the board could review the size of a stone for 2 grave sites. Gene said he had checked on grave head stones and the size for on stone for 2 sites is 40 to 50 inches long by 32 inches high and 9 inches wide is the common size. The board will let Gene know what they decide.
Jane Harbirch from GOLA association spoke to the board about having a paved walking trail beside Bonnie Lakes Road. Jane said at the July meeting of GOLA it was brought up that more people are walking on the road and it is not very safe for walking. Jane, said there are good things happening on Bonnie Lakes Road. Jane said more families are moving up here, we have good internet so more people are working from home. She said there is a lot of construction and remodeling happening so there is more traffic on the roads. She said there have been some near misses with construction trucks and the increase of traffic. Jane said there is limited site lines around the curves. Jane said there is 3.25 miles of road with 1 mile being in Crosslake and 2.25 miles in Fairfield Township. The GOLA Association would need a committee to plan, finance and execute it. Jane said they would need a grant to help with the cost. The Crosslake Mayor said some states have put trails under power lines. Mr. Svihel said if the township agrees to a walking trail that would set a precedent for walking trails on all township roads. Mr. Svihel said there are sidewalks in Crosslake where people can go and walk. Mr. Svihel said he would not be in favor of giving up land for a walking trail. Jane said there may be money available from the DNR, State of Minnesota or Federal money. Jane said the GOLA just wanted to inform the township of their request for a walking trail. Jane said they are thinking about sending a survey out to see what the residents think.
Ruth Svihel said the snowplow driver has done a good job plowing the roads in Fairfield and Crosslake.
Mark Wessels said that he knows a lot about land use issues. He said that state statute 160.05 says if the township maintains a road for 6 years it belongs to the township. Mark said the postmaster at the post office told him that mailboxes can’t be put up on private drives.. Mark said the road inspection notes said we should haul gravel on the road. Mark said he would like the township to continue plowing the road this winter and put some class 5 on it. Les said he would contact the township attorney at the Minnesota Association of Townships and get his opinion on road maintenance.
The minutes of the September 13, 2022, meeting were read. Les made a motion to approve the minutes and Brian 2nd the motion and it carried unanimously.
The treasurer’s report was read. Phil made a motion to place the treasurers report for audit and Les 2nd the motion and it carried unanimously. Kathy said the ARPA account has $37,314.49 in it and the Source Well account has $1329.22
Road Maintenance: Les said he hasn’t got any calls from anyone interested in the snowplow job.
Phil said he couldn’t make it to the December 13, 2022 meeting at 5:00 PM. Les made a motion to change the December 13, 2022, meeting to 6:00 PM and Brian 2nd the motion and it carried.
Phil made a motion to allow the board to go to the Crow Wing County Township Association meeting on October 27, 2022 and Les 2nd the motion and it carried unanimously.
The clerk will ask the Land Services Department how to get a cemetery plot deed to a different plot in the cemetery.
Les said the road ditches are mowed, beavers are being watched and brush clean-up is being worked on.
Go North: Kathy said they are still working on the recycling project.
The cemetery brochure is being worked on.
Correspondence was read.
Bills were read. Les made a motion to pay the bills and Brian 2nd the motion and it carried unanimously.
Brian made a motion to adjourn and Les 2nd the motion and it carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 6:56 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Marianne Auge, clerk