Township News: Big Lake Township, Minnesota USA

August 2003
New Oak Wilt Programs Now In Place - Open Meeting Scheduled
Burn Permits Available • Town of Big Lake Snowplow Policy
Welcome Winter...Welcome Snowmobiling
Household Hazardous Waste Collection • Septic System Information
Bailey Station Cemetery • Speed Limit Reduction

<< RETURN TO >>
Current Newsletter

NEW OAK WILT PROGRAMS NOW IN PLACE - OPEN MEETING SCHEDULED

Sherburne County landowners interested in learning more about oak wilt disease and the Oak Wilt Suppression Programs available to them are invited to an Open House Meeting to be held on Wednesday, October 1st from 6:30 - 9:30 PM at the Sherburne County Government Center.

The meeting will first include an outside, informal discussion and demonstration on the suppression tools available to landowners including the vibratory plow and fungicide injections. Beginning at 7:30 PM, representatives from the DNR and Sherburne County will be on hand to review the status of oak wilt within the county, review the new programs and guidelines in place, and explain how to go about obtaining cost share assistance. Residents and landowners in Sherburne County having oak wilt can apply for assistance either through the county, or in some cases, through their local township or city.

Sherburne County has administered a Suppression Program since 1991 treating over 1,000 infection centers. With newly developed programs this year in the City of Elk River, Baldwin Township, Big Lake Township, and Livonia Township, the increased grant funds can assist more landowners in Sherburne County with suppression costs, prevention and awareness, and community outreach. In addition, the grants can assist communities with developing management plans specific to their areas. The funds originate from a DNR Program called Minnesota ReLeaf, which is a matching grant program with funds provided by the Legislative Commission for Minnesota Resources (LCMR).

Since 1991, it is estimated that between 3,000 to 4,000 oak trees die each year due to oak wilt in the county. For further information on the meeting or about oak wilt, please call the Sherburne County Forester at 763-241-2939 or click here for more Oak Wilt Information.

<< RETURN TO >>
Township News Menu

BURN PERMITS AVAILABLE

Burning permits can be obtained from the Clerk's Office during regular business hours. There is no fee for the 3-day permit. Burning of piled, vegetative material can be done between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. Please remember that spring restrictions and possible burning bans will be an annual event. All residents are urged to do the majority of their burning when we have snow cover. This will minimize the danger and avoid the inconvenience of not getting the spring cleanup completed before the restriction goes into place.

<< RETURN TO >>
Township News Menu

TOWN OF BIG LAKE SNOWPLOW POLICY

The Town seeks to maintain your roads in the safest possible condition while spending your tax dollars wisely and protecting the environment.

Snowplowing will generally be done when there is an accumulation of two inches or more.
Ice control (sanding) will take place when travel is seriously affected using normal winter driving care. Because of environmental concerns, chemical use on roads will be limited to preventing dangerous driving conditions.
Snowplowing and ice control operations will cease if severe wind or cold endangers the maintenance personnel.
Plowing and sanding are scheduled to have roads in the best travel condition during heavy use periods.
Roads are classified as to function and use---collector streets (to county roads and state highways) will be plowed first; residential streets are second priority and cul de sacs will be plowed last.
It is against the law for private snowplows to move snow across, or deposit snow on public roads. The placing of snow and ice would be considered a problem if it were deemed a safety hazard on the traveled right of way, and could cause property damage and/or visibility problems. If the Town must remove snow placed in roads, it will assess the cost to the property owner. (MN § 160.27 Sub. 5 and MN § 169.42).
Mailbox damage - the Township will consider mailbox claims only if the snowplowing equipment physically hits the mailbox or post and only if the box conformed to the Town of Big Lake Mailbox Post Installation Ordinance 2001-2. Claims must be filed within 48 hours of the incident. If you live on a Township road, call the Town Clerk at 763-263-8111. If you live on a County road, call the Sherburne County Highway Department at 763-441-1722 or 800-594-5208.

<< RETURN TO >>
Township News Menu

WELCOME TO WINTER…WELCOME TO SNOWMOBILING

For full information on Snowmobile registration, general operation, rules and training programs, visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources at www.dnr.state.mn.us, or by calling 1-888-MINNDNR, or pick up the 2001-2002 Minnesota Snowmobile safety laws, rules, and regulations booklet at your local Deputy Registrar's Office.

Where you may ride:
• In the bottom or outside slope of a ditch of a county or state highway.
• In the same direction as highway traffic in the ditch from one-half hour after sunset to
one-half hour before sunrise. Other than this time, you can ride in either direction.
• If you must ride on a bridge, the snowmobile must be operated in the extreme right-hand lane,
the entrance to the roadway must be made within 100 feet of the bridge, and crossing
must be made as quickly as possible.
• On state and local trails.
• On iced-over waters that you have legal access to.
• On Township roads on the extreme right-hand side.
(The Town of Big Lake does not have an ordinance regarding snowmobile use)
• On public lands that are open to motorized vehicles. Land uses vary, be sure to
check all federal, state, and local ordinances.

Trespass is the most frequent complaint landowners have against snowmobilers. Always ask for permission before entering private land (this includes agricultural land, posted, private property, and business properties).

If you choose to violate the Minnesota trespass law, you are guilty of a misdemeanor. A misdemeanor is punishable by fines of up to $700, a jail sentence of up to 90 days, and loss of your machine's registration for one year.

The above information was provided by the MN DNR.

<< RETURN TO >>
Township News Menu

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION

This is a Free Service Provided by Sherburne County. No Pre-registration is required. The collection day is Saturday, September 13, 2003 and will be held at the Sherburne County Government Center, located at 13880 Hwy 10 Elk River. The event begins at 9:00 a.m. and closes at 1:00 p.m.

Only household hazardous waste will be accepted. No agricultural or business waste will be accepted.

Acceptable items are fuels, weed & bug killers, oil base paint (NO latex paint), stains, and mercury thermometers. Items that will not be accepted include latex paint, business and farm wastes solid waste materials.

If you have questions please call the Sherburne County Zoning Office at 763-241-2900 or 1-800-438-0578.

<< RETURN TO >>
Township News Menu

SEPTIC SYSTEM INFORMATION

Septic System Information is available at the Big Lake Town Clerk's Office. If you are a new resident of Big Lake Township and have questions or are interested in getting information regarding your homes septic system, call the Township at 763-263-8111 for information on the use and maintenance of your sanitary septic system.

<< RETURN TO >>
Township News Menu

BAILEY STATION CEMETERY

Beginning in 1992, the Town of Big Lake began the process of maintaining and developing this historical cemetery and preparing the cemetery to be used again. In July 1995, a volunteer committee was appointed to present the Town Board with recommendations for by-laws, rules, prices of cemetery lots, and projected capital improvements for the cemetery. A volunteer committee remains active today with the ongoing maintenance and improvements to the cemetery. On Memorial Day 1996, the committee began offering cemetery lots for sale, which are still available for purchase. If you are interested in purchasing a lot or lots in the cemetery please contact Jacque Nadeau, Bailey Cemetery Actuary, at 763-263-3762.

Cemetery Fees
Lot costs including charges to open and close grave for Sherburne County Residents $900.00 for adult; $400.00 for infant and $400.00 for cremation nitch. Please call the Town Clerk's Office at 763-263-8111 for full fee schedule information.

<< RETURN TO >>
Township News Menu

SPEED LIMIT REDUCTION

Upon completion of a speed study by the Minnesota Department of Transportation the Town of Big Lake will be reducing the speed limit on 205th Avenue in front of the new Big Lake Elementary School, "Liberty Elementary".

There will be a slower speed limit for much of 205th Avenue during the time that children are present. The expected limit may be 25 or 30 mph.

The addition of turn lanes for vehicles entering the school facilities and a path for pedestrians are further changes that motorists should be aware of.

Please observe these newly posted speed limit reductions in this area for the safety of our school children and other motorists on the road.

It is important and it is the law to observe and comply with all posted speed limits throughout the Township and in its neighborhood developments.

As the Township grows it is vitally important that our consideration and awareness of others grows too.

<< RETURN TO >>
Township News Menu

<< RETURN TO >>
Current Newsletter

<< RETURN TO >>
Big Lake Township Menu

Elections . Town Meeting Dates • Town Meeting Minutes • Annual Meeting Minutes
Government Representatives • Big Lake Community Profile • Township News
Policies and Ordinances • Annual Clean Up Day and Recycling
Parks and Recreation • Schools and Libraries
Big Lake City • Big Lake Chamber of Commerce • Related Links

~ TOWN of BIG LAKE ~
Street Address: 21960 Co. Rd. 5, Big Lake, MN 55309 • US Mail: P.O. Box 75, Big Lake, MN 55309
Phone: 763-263-8111 • Fax: 763-263-3660 • Contact Us

Website created by Design for Print