Return to Archived Stories

*The board was informed by board chair Don Pietsch that the trail committee presented a plan to District 8 Area Transportation Partnership, which includes Meeker County, for federal funds (up to $630,000) to complete the section of trail around Lake Koronis from Old Lake Road to the south side of Lake Koronis.

Two sections of trail are close to construction this year - from the city to Old Lake Road (which connects to the city beach) and from the city to the Glacial Lakes State Trail. The first of these has a federal grant, and the second received funds in last year's bonding bill. Another section of trail - from Baywater Road to the south side of Koronis - is planned for 2007 by the city of Paynesville, Meeker County, the township, and Stearns County.

The section of trail proposed to District 8 Area Transportation Partnership would connect the complete the trail around the lake around the southeastern corner (including by Highways 4 and 55). The money, if approved, would not be available until 2010.

Funds will be sought for the final section of trail - connecting Brentwood Road, by Bug-Bee Hive Resort, to the trail coming from the city to Old Lake Road - from District 3 Area Transportation Partnership, Pietsch told the supervisors.

*The board approved a final plat for Crow River Heights, owned by Dennis Spaulding and Earl Stang. The 120-acre, 12-lot plat (in sections 7 and 18) will include a common septic system for the five smaller lots on the Crow River.

Because the developers have agreed to help pave Roseville Road from Cemetery Road to Highway 55, the township board voted to give them a 90-day deferment for their parkland dedication fee.

*The board heard a request by Paynesville Police Chief Kent Kortlever to change the address of township resident Phil Young from Co. Rd. 181 to Casswood Road to avoid confusion. His driveway used to go all the way to Co. Rd. 181, but in recent years this driveway has been turned into a township road.

*The board approved rezoning property owned by Nathan Bork in Section 8 from commercial to residential. Bork had previously gotten a road vacated on the property, which later was discovered to be zoned as commercial.

*The board set a variance hearing for Muriel Lorentzen for Monday, July 10, at 8:30 p.m. Lorentzen wants to build a 1,200-sq. ft. storage building that is only 30 feet from the road right of way in Section 32. The township ordinance allows only a 900-sq. ft. storage building for a 0.85-acre parcel (but allows 1,200 sq. ft. at 0.99 acres) and requires a 63-foot setback to the centerline of a road.

*The board set a hearing for Monday, July 24, at 8:30 p.m. to vacate a portion of Kohi Road after receiving a petition by landowners in the area.

*The board assigned Pietsch to inquire about a garbage-burning complaint and to refer the matter to Stearns County Environmental Services if necessary.

*The board was informed by Pietsch that the township attorney recommended that road right of ways dedicated in plats but not developed into roads be kept closed to the public for liability reasons. The township remains the sole authority for enforcing this closure.

*The board was informed that asphalting in the township would not start until the week after the Fourth of July.

*The board authorized Ken Olson to trap a beaver clogging a culvert by Baywater Road but at no cost to the township.