Chairman Glen Williamson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Also present: Supervisors Mike McCullen and Alden Shute, Treasurer Patrice Winfield, Clerk Paul Raymond, Road Manager Alden, Stefanie Williamson, Kim Felton, Jim Bredesen, and Stan and Tracy Riley.

Clerk’s Report of September Board Meeting. Paul read the record of the September meeting; Mike moved to approve; Alden seconded; passed unanimously.

ROAD REPORT: Alden’s friend from Hopkins supervised him in changing the belt on the grader. Alden has been getting the roads ready for winter, blading the Mink Farm, Mayfield and Little Tamarack Lake Roads, and the east roads, South Duncan, Fust Lane, Langstrom Lane, Pete Anderson and Schmedeke Roads.

Snowplowing: Alden talked with Lisa McCullen about the obstruction in her drive and she has remedied it. He has had no response from David Storvik, so he won’t be plowing his drive.

Snowplowing Fees, 2022-2023: 2022-23 snowplowing fees due by Nov. 2, 2022. $75/season; driveways over 700 ft.: $100. Driveways 1,000′ up to ½ mile: $175. Driveways over ½ mile: $350. Special plowing $100/hr.

Full-time residents only. Must have turnaround space. No closed gates.

Wilma Township not liable for inadvertent damages while plowing private drives. Checks payable to “Wilma Township.” Mail to Patrice Winfield, 53346 Tamarack River Road, Markville, MN 55072, or bring to Nov. 2 Board Meeting.

Couri & Ruppe Annual Township Legal Seminar: Was Saturday, September 10 in Aitkin Co. and September 17 in Rutledge. Paul attended the one in Aitken and Alden the one in Rutledge. Paul brought back the PowerPoint manuals for Mike and Glen. Mike said he spent two hours reading the power points. Alden gave a report and said it was very good training. He talked with the attorneys privately about gating township roads and people demanding that a road that is no longer claimed be maintained. Mike said we’ve had the gating issue on three roads, the end of Crooked Lake Road entering the old Mayfield Road, Heller Drive, and the north Eagle Head Road. The Mayfield gate is not locked, but Mike has talked with Clay several times about the gate on Heller Drive west of his home, and the Eagle Head gate isn’t locked.

NEW BUSINESS: Wilma Township.com: Glen had asked that the agenda state that Aspire will no longer host Wilma Township.com website. Paul explained how this issue came up, when the Pine County Township Officers’ Association board had voted to give his job of hosting the coffee and doughnuts for the October meeting to Bob Sunstrom because Paul had accidentally missed the board meeting, and in a letter to the board he likened this to the board taking away the PCTOA website from Glen. He did not suggest that the board do this nor the Wilma board, but to show an analogy to what Paul felt was an unethical move which he felt would cause Glen pain and anger like he felt. Glen said if the board wants to get a new web host that he suggests that the board use Town Web.com who charge $900 to set up a site and $500 year maintenance. Paul said that would be insane. Glen said Ogema uses them. Paul said we have an interested web host, Ervin Kleinschmidt who has two or more other websites he manages, but Erv said he does not want to cause any hard feelings or conflict in our town. He would charge far less than TownWeb.com. Glen said if we get another web host we will keep Wilmatownship.com domain name; it belongs to the township. Glen said he only started the website and sold it to the town because no one else was doing it. He said Arna’s site is far more difficult to navigate. Mike said if this comes up it should be at the annual meeting. Alden said if Glen is willing, that he feels we should continue with Aspire. No motion, no change.

Stan Riley: Stan asked to speak. He reviewed the past year of difficulties he has had with Gary Vink and Mike McCullen on the board and how they have made it very difficult for his business, County Store and More since June, 2021. He said Mike has gone to the county and has done a background check on him and has told people about it. He said Paul doesn’t accurately report on meetings, and did not record that Sara Hejny had used the B-word against someone at the last meeting. Paul said he did not hear her use that word but he does not report slanderous comments, just that someone issued an insult. Paul said he got a recorder for the town and is recording meetings in case someone alleges that he slants the record.

Glen asked Stan if he has had any incidents in the last 30 days since our last meeting? Stan said no. Glen asked him and Mike if they would be willing to sit down and talk man to man and try to hash out their differences? Both said they would be willing. What Glen wants and the people at the last meeting expressed is that we want to heal and to put this issue behind us and have peace in our town and for people to get along. We don’t want to keep rehashing this at board meetings.

Alden also said he’d like Mike and Stan to get together and work it out. He said if someone has an accident on that road that it is their fault for speeding. He said this issue has been discussed and settled and he’d like to see Mike and Stan talk man-to-man.

March, 2023, Meeting Change: Glen reminded the board that we agreed to change the March, 2023 board meeting from March 1 to March 8. The Annual meeting is March 14.

General Election November 8, 2022: Paul, Patrice and Tracy Riley will judge. Polls open at 10 am and close at 8 p.m.

Propane Pre-buy: Mike said it is due next week. Patrice did not get a notice. Paul asked if we could just write a check to Federated for more than we paid last year and they can take the pre-buy out of that? Patrice said no, we need to get the notice and decide how much to buy so she will need to bring a check to Glen and Paul to sign when she knows. Glen moved that she find out the details and decide on how much to order and write a check and take it to us to sign it. Alden seconded.

UPCOMING EVENTS: MAT Annual Conference: Will be on October 14 and 15 at River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. Glen said he can’t go and Paul has registered but can’t go. No scholarships were offered by the Pine Co. Twp. Officers Assn. this year.

Pine County Township Officers’ Association Meeting: Will be at the Hinckley American Legion on, Sat. Oct. 22, 9 a.m. Glen said he is trying to line up all the candidates and Commissioners to speak, but Reese Frederickson already said he can’t come because he is doing Crossfit that day.

District 7 Director Update: The MAT election to fill the vacant District 7 position will be January 31, 2023, time and date to be announced.

Wilma Fallfest: The annual Fallfest celebration will be, Saturday, October 22. We will have karaoke this year. Potluck dinner at 6 p.m. followed by prizes and Karaoke. Tracy Riley has joined the committee and says she has some good prizes already. Paul asked that after they set up all the tables and chairs for Fallfest that they leave everything exactly as it is so we can use the hall for the Pine County Wanderers the next week.

Treasurer’s Report: (Attached) Patrice said total bills for October are $1,979.96, and she needs to transfer $2,000.00. She said there is enough in savings to cover the propane pre-buy. Mike moved to approve her report and to transfer the funds. Alden seconded; passed. Alden moved to adjourn the meeting; Mike seconded; passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:50

Chairman Glen Williamson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Also present: Supervisors Mike McCullen and Alden Shute, Treasurer Patrice Winfield, Clerk Paul Raymond, Road Manager Alden, Doug Witta, Stefanie Williamson, Kim Felton, Angie Anderson, Jim Bredesen, and Sara Hejney.

Clerk’s Report of August Board Meeting. Paul read the record of the August meeting; Mike moved to approve; Alden seconded; passed.

ROAD REPORT: Tamarack Pine Drive: Alden gave a report on Tamarack Pine Drive project. Alden said that project is still on-going. He has worked on shaping the road to make it full width. He cannot yet complete it with red-rock gravel because the gravel supplier didn’t get back until after Labor Day.

Grader issues: The batteries were low and Alden had to recharge them and clean the connections. Alden said he can’t change a belt on the grader, but has a friend from Hopkins who can, and he asked if he could authorize the man to do the work? Do we have to consider him a contractor and demand insurance?  Alden said John Deere would charge far more; the man would get the same pay as Alden, $30/hour. Mike said hire him as an advisor and there should be no problems.

Eagle Head Culvert: Beavers have been plugging the first culvert again and Alden had to have the culvert cleaned out by Hopkins. He shot two beavers.He wants to have a grate that can prevent it; the existing ones aren’t doing the job. Doug said that Dave Fornengo, Jr. made some heavy-duty grates out of rebar for New Dosey that seem to prevent beaver’s plugging the culverts.

Kenny Peterson Road: Terry Koscielniak bought the 80 acres from Joe Vink on the north Kenny Peterson Road far beyond the .26 mile of road we maintain and claim for gas tax. Alden asked what exactly Terry had meant when said he still wants to build up the road and asked if the town could work with him. Does he want us to put a few loads of pit run down and he will do the same? He had said that he wanted to investigate the abandonment of the road for no maintenance. Mike said the people retain access rights to all former township roads and rights-of-way that have not been vacated. Alden gave him the number for our attorneys, Couri and Roupe, but he will have to pay them.

NEW BUSINESS: District 7 Director Mike Miller Fired: September 2: From MAT: “Township officers in MAT District 7: Mike Miller has resigned from his position as Minnesota Association of Townships Director for District 7, effective August 11, 2022.  In addition, the MAT Board of Directors censured Director Miller.” Details are in Township Insider.

Statement from Mike Miller: “Thank you for your support over the years. I truly believe in township government and support every township officer that gives back to the communities they live in. The Pine County spring and Fall meetings always were informational, educational and entertaining, especially your county attorney.  I really thought MAT should be open and transparent when conducting meetings, the same or similar as the townships we are representing. MAT will always side with itself before a township or townships.  In the five Years I was a District Director, the board was divided between directors that believe townships come first and MAT comes second. Jane, Tammy, Mel, Vance and Jim and myself fall into the category of Townships first. I will continue to help townships moving forward just not with MAT.” There was an update today from MAT: “District 7 Director update: “Township officers in MAT District 7: It has come to the attention of MAT, that a County Unit in District 7 intends to hold an unauthorized election on October 13th, 2022, for the position of MAT District 7 Director. Township officers in District 7 are advised that this election is invalid and not an action sanctioned by the Minnesota Association of Townships. MAT’s Board of Directors will decide the means and time for the replacement of the District 7 Director.”

MAT Annual Conference: Will be October 14 and 15 at River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. Glen said he cannot attend, but Paul said he has registered to attend. Two days instead of three as in previous years. Pine County Township Officers’ Association Meeting: Will be at the Hinckley Community Center on, Sat. Oct. 22, 9 a.m.

Appointed Election Judges: For the General Election November 8. The Board appointed Patrice Winfield, Stefanie Williamson, and Tracy Riley as judges pending their getting the training. Patrice, Paul and Tracy attended in-person judge training and Stefanie can take the online training. Discussion on pay for the head judge? Is Paul serving as clerk or as a judge? He said to just pay him the regular judge pay.

Wilma Fallfest: The annual Fallfest celebration will be, Saturday, October 22. We will have karaoke this year. Stefanie said that Angie and Tracy Riley have joined the committee.

Free Blood Pressure Check Clinic: Cloverton Town Hall, Saturday,September 24, 10 am to 1 pm.

Annual Legal Seminar: Couri & Ruppe have scheduled another free legal seminar for Saturday, September 10, 2022 in Aitken, 9 am to 4 pm., or Sept. 17 in Rutledge. Alden said he would like to attend the Rutledge session. Paul will reserve for Alden at kathy@couriruppe.com.

Public concerns about No Parking Signs: The Board of Supervisors had Paul ask the county to not put up any No Parking signs on Tamarack River Road, and this was done. Mike talked with Mark LeBrun after our last meeting and said Mark was upset that someone stole the No Parking signs they had put up, but this was before Mark got our letter. We did not hear back yet from Mark LeBrun, but he has been in Europe recently, so may respond soon.

Mike had said he had several anonymous complaints about people parking on the road and his only concern is for public safety because as Chief he would have to respond to any serious accidents caused by cars coming over the hill and slamming into parked cars and he is responsible for the safety of our citizens. Glen had said that we cannot make policy based on anonymous complaints and that people need to come to meetings like tonight and express concerns on the record. Sara Hejny said she came to the meeting to go on the record that she has had many close calls with trucks and tractors on the east side of the road that she has almost hit, including after Country Store and More opened. The previous owners had almost weekly garage sales, and Sara said she complained to Gary Vink about the danger of cars parking on the east side. Doug said he has almost never seen cars blocking the road or posing a danger for motorists.

Kim said she feels that the board owes Mike an apology for the anger directed at him at the last board meeting, after how hard Mike has worked for our township and how he works to protect our citizens and respond to all medical calls without discrimination. Glen said he quit the fire department because he could not respect Mike as chief after Mike had gotten the FEMA grant for tree removal 11 years ago while Mike was also a Supervisor. Mike said he only approached FEMA when we could not get anyone to remove all the blow-down trees on our township roads. Glen said the township had to hire our township attorneys to deal with this conflict of interest and Mike said he also had to hire an attorney to defend himself and paid $650. Paul spoke in Mike’s defense and said anyone who joins the department must have complete respect for the chief and the chain of command for safety in our responses. The issue has come up with others who want to join the department but who have disparaged the Chief. Paul said we have many very professional and well-trained firefighters and responders who do have great respect for Mike and his training and skill and knowledge and leadership capabilities and Paul shares their respect.

Stefanie said she believes Paul subjectively edits the meeting reports and leaves some comments out and slants the reports. Paul said he has been clerk since 1994 and every one of our meeting records are approved by the whole board and he has never before been accused of inaccurate or slanted reports. He said he tries to be as accurate and objective as possible in recording meetings. He is always open to amending the record at the request of the board. Stefanie said Paul did not print the alleged racial slur that Angie accused Mike of, and didn’t record every comment the many people at the last meeting made. She said Tracy Riley has been recording our meetings. We had a recorder but Glen has misplaced it. Mike moved that we purchase a new digital recorder and record all our meetings. Glen seconded; passed. Paul said he could type exact transcripts of our meetings, but the records would be dozens of pages long.

There were several comments stating that the stop-sign issue was settled at the last meeting and that we need to put this behind us and try to get along with each other as a township. Patrice and Kim both said we need to do this. Paul said he has been attending town board meetings for 31 years and has served with many different board members since 1996 and we have had differences and disagreements and sometimes heated arguments, but we have always healed as a town and we need to do this now, without people trying to divide us and cause anger and resentments.

Treasurer’s Report: (Attached) Patrice said total bills for June are $5,670.76, and she needs to transfer $5,600.00. Mike moved to approve her report and to transfer the funds. Alden seconded; passed. Alden moved to adjourn the meeting; Mike seconded; passed. Meeting adjourned at 9:00.