Big Lake Township, Minnesota USA

 
Township News

September 2004
General Election Information - November 2, 2004
Town of Big Lake Snowplow Policy • Snowmobiling
Septic System Info • Burn Permits Available • Firearms Discharge in Residential Areas
 Big Lake Township Highlights • Right-of-Way Obstruction

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GENERAL ELECTION INFORMATION - NOVEMBER 2, 2004

WHERE TO VOTE
Precinct #1 is located at Lord of Glory Lutheran Church, ¼ mile north of Highway 10 on the frontage road (190th Avenue). This precinct includes all people living in the Elk River School District #728. Precinct #2 is located at the Lions Community Park. All people living in the Big Lake School District #727, Monticello District #882, and Becker District #726 will vote at this location. Polling place information available on the web at ~ http://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us

ABSENTEE VOTING
Absentee ballots are available at the Sherburne County Auditor's Office beginning October 1, 2004 for the General Election. The Auditor's Office will be open extra hours for voting by absentee ballot. Please call 763-241-2861 for information on dates and times.

VOTER REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
To vote you must: Be 18 years old or older. Be a U.S. Citizen. Be a Minnesota resident for at least 20 days before the election. Maintain residence at the address given on the registration form Not be a convicted felon without civil rights restored. Not be under court ordered guardianship. Not be legally incompetent.

VOTER REGISTRATION
You need to register if you just became eligible to vote, moved, changed your name, or haven't voted in the last four years. Voter registration cards are available at the Township or County Offices, in state income tax booklets, electronically at the Secretary of State website www.state.mn.us, and in several phone books. Complete the card and drop it off or mail it to the County Auditor's Office before October 12, 2004.

You can register to vote on Election Day at your polling place. You will need: MN driver's license, permit, identification card, or receipt for one showing current address in the precinct; or
a current student ID card, fee statement, and a photo ID; or, a certified student list containing the student's valid address in the precinct and a photo ID; or a utility bill and a photo ID. Photo must be from a MN driver's license, learner's permit, ID card, U.S. Passport, or U.S. military ID card. Utility bills must show the voter's name and current address. The bill must be due within 30 days of the election; or by having a voter who is registered to vote in the same precinct sign an oath in the presence of the election judge vouching that the voter personally knows that the individual is a resident of the precinct.

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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.

  1. Snowplowing will generally be done when there is an accumulation of two inches or more.

  2. 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.

  3. Snowplowing and ice control operations will cease if severe wind or cold endangers the maintenance personnel.

  4. Plowing and sanding are scheduled to have roads in the best travel condition during heavy use periods.

  5. 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.

  6. 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).

  7. 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 763-262-8002 or 800-594-5208.

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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 2004-2005 Minnesota Snowmobile safety laws, rules, and regulations booklet at your local Deputy Registrar's Office.

By driving safe, smart and legal, you protect the future of your sport.


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.

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SEPTIC SYSTEM INFO

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.

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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.

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FIREARMS DISCHARGE IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS

Disregard for firearm safety could lead to an ordinance prohibiting use of firearms in the Township. Hunters, farmers and others would be the victims of such an ordinance. The Sheriff's Office has indicated they will pursue any complaints of indiscriminate use of firearms. Sherburne County Sheriff's Dispatch can be reached at 763-241-2500.

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BIG LAKE TOWNSHIP HIGHLIGHTS

SPEED CONCERNS
A significant number of calls have been received by the Clerk's Office regarding speeding in residential areas of the Township. It is a common belief that posting speed limit signs or increasing the number of speed limit signs will influence drivers to drive at that speed. Studies on this subject are proving this may not be the case. Research has shown that drivers are influenced more by the appearance of the road itself and the prevailing traffic conditions than by the posted speed limit. The maximum speed limit for any passenger vehicle in Minnesota is as follows:

  • Freeways outside urban districts, 65 or 70 mph.
  • Urban freeway and highways, 55 or 60 mph.
  • Residential streets, 30 mph.

The speed limits are not always posted but all motorists are required to know these basic speed laws.

Intermediate speed limits between 30 to 55 miles per hour may be established by the Minnesota Department of Transportation based on traffic engineering surveys. These surveys include an analysis of roadway conditions, accident records, and the prevailing speed of prudent drivers.

If speed limit signs are posted for a lower limit than is needed to safely meet these conditions, many drivers will simply ignore the signs.
The control of speeding in residential neighborhoods is a concern to the Township.

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.

Stop signs are not used as a speed control device. When stop signs are installed as "nuisances" or "speed breakers", there is a high incidence of intentional violation. In those locations where vehicles do stop, the speed reduction is effective only in the immediate vicinity of the stop sign and frequently speeds are actually higher between intersections. A survey can be conducted if there is an issue with speeding in the area.

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RIGHT-OF-WAY OBSTRUCTION

Obstructions placed in the Town road right-of-way create problems for road maintenance equipment and utility companies. Hazardous objects often placed in the right-of-way include basketball hoops and bicycle/skateboard jumps, fences, boulder size rocks. Placing these items in the right-of-way creates a legal liability for both the property owner and the Township.

Please remember that placing any objects in the right-of-way that are considered hazards, is a misdemeanor as stipulated in Minnesota § 160.27.

Lawn Irrigation heads are not permitted in the road right-of-way. Placement of any part of an irrigation system in the road right-of-way is at the owners risk. The Township and its subsidiaries are not responsible for damage that may occur to irrigation systems encroaching in the road right-of-way.

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~ 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

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