Annual Town Meeting

March 14, 2006

Meeting was called to order at 8:15 p.m.

Meeting opened with the pledge of allegiance

Presentation: in “Recognition of Don McTavish as an outstanding community volunteer”.

Nomination of Moderator

Jeff Cook nominated George Sundstrom; Dave Sundberg nominated Phil Strom. By hand Vote, George Sundstrom – 22, Phil Strom – 17. George Sundstrom was nominated as Moderator.

Approval of Minutes from the 2005 Annual Meeting

Valerie Brady made a motion to approve the 2005 minutes, Barbara Strom seconded. Motion passed.

Call for Bank of deposit

William Cox made a motion to continue with The Lake Bank, Philip Strom seconded. Motion passed.

Call for Newspaper of Publication

Corlis West made a motion to make Duluth News Tribune the newspaper of publication, William Cox seconded. Motion passed.

Call for Official Posting places

Currently: Town Hall

Fire Hall #1

Scenic Café

North Shore Community School

Sheri Camper made a motion to keep the official posting places as stated, Phil Strom seconded. Motion passed.

Presentation of Budgets

Audit Report An outside auditor was hired in 2005 to audit the 2004 books. The audit found the books to be in keeping with Standard Accounting practices. No recommendations of change were made.

Police Department – Shawn Padden presented the proposed budget of $39,286.00. John Kessler made a motion to approve the Police Department budget of $39,286.00, Barry Lampi seconded. Motion passed.

Fire Department – Barry Lampi presented the proposed budget of $72,104.50. David Sundberg made a motion to approve the Fire Department budget of $72,104.50, Kip Brown seconded. Motion passed.

General Township – Stephen Dahl presented the proposed budget of $112,395.00. Philip Strom made a motion to approve the proposed budget of $112,395.00, Carolyn Marino seconded. Dan Tanner amended the motion to include $3000.00 for the purchase of two defibrillators for the township, Barry Lampi seconded. Vote on the amendment to the motion passed. Vote on the motion passed $115,395.00.

Question: Why place the defibrillator request under General Township?

Answer: Dan Tanner – I just felt it was a good place to place the request. The intent is to have one in the Police Squad and the second in the town hall.

Question: Would there be an additional expense in training?

Answer: No the First Responders and the Police Department have already been trained.

Planning and Zoning – Wayne Dahlberg presented the proposed budget of $16,000.00. Philip Strom made a motion to approve the proposed budget of $16,000.00, Corlis West seconded.

Question: Why has the telephone budget increased so drastically from last year?

Answer: We decided to go with a cell phone system. The Administrator and Administrator assistant now have the ability to answer questions when they have time and are able to work on township business.

Question: There is a $3500.00 expense listed as “planning projects and education”, please explain.

Answer: We have federally mandated educational requirements for our MS4 Storm water. Last year they took place in the form of rain and water garden conferences.

Question: Can the government take away grant monies if we are not storm water compliant?

Answer: When a new permit is required, property owners are now required to measure for impervious surface which is a direct result of storm water compliancy.

Question: Are we looking at penalties if we are not storm water complaint?

Answer: The penalty would be in the form of a township fine.

Question: Would a form letter alerting a homeowner they are now out of compliance with the junk car ordinance be a possible solution?

Answer: I believe we could work on that.

Cemetery –Dan Tanner presented the proposed budget of $3000.00. Philip Strom made a motion to approve the proposed budget of $3000.00, Carolyn Marino seconded. Motion passed.

Road and Bridge – Dan Tanner and Corlis West presented the proposed budget of $60,000.00. Philip Strom made a motion to approve the proposed budget of $60,000.00, Barbara Strom seconded. Motion passed.

Question: How do we get our calcium chloride?

Answer. We piggy back with St. Louis County for calcium chloride.

Question: What priorities will be the big ticket items for this year?

Answer: In the spring we do an annual road survey and then sit down with our contractors and make our decisions based on what we see.

Question: Would it be possible for the township to request a slow school sign for the Ryan Road?

Answer: Yes it can be done.

Approve Total Budget – Philip Strom made a motion to approve the total budget for 2007, Valerie Brady seconded. Motion passed.

§ Police Department $ 39,286.00

§ Fire Department $ 72,104.50

§ General Township $115,395.00

§ Planning and Zoning $ 16,000.00

§ Cemetery $ 3,000.00

§ Road and Bridge $ 60,000.00

Total 2007 Budget $305,785.50

Dave Sundberg made a motion that all line item detail be included in future budget presentations understanding a line item cannot be voted on, only the bottom line total, Philip Strom seconded. Motion passed.

Set time and date for the 2007 Annual Town Meeting – William Cox made a motion to accept 8:15 p.m. March 13, 2007 as the date for the 2007 Annual Town Meeting, Dan Tanner seconded. Motion passed.

Set time and date for continuation of this meeting if such a meeting is deemed necessary by the Town Board. Jeff Cook made a motion to hold a continuation of the Annual Meeting on the Second Thursday in August (August 10, 2006) if such a meeting is necessary, William Cox seconded. Motion passed.

Election Results 60 – Jeff Cook

4 – George Sundstrom

1 – Jan Green

1 – Beth Mullen

Concerns from the Audience

Stephen Dahl and Sherry Camper – Community Center Building Addition Team presentation.

Any type of time table? Two to three years.

o George Sundstrom requested Shawn Padden introduce the Duluth Township Police Department. Officers Steve and Mike Peterson.

o George Sundstrom recognized and thanked Tim Strom for all the work he does for the township.

The meeting was then closed 9:56 p.m.

___________________________ Election Judge