Township News: Big Lake Township, Minnesota USA

October 2001
Address Sign Installation • Town of Big Lake Snowplow Policy
Welcome Winter... • Burn Permits Available • Bailey Station Cemetery

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ADDRESS SIGN INSTALLATION

Several years ago, the Town of Big Lake approved an ordinance for the posting of assigned address signs at all properties in Big Lake Township. The purpose of this ordinance was to identify all residential, commercial and industrial property with a uniform, double sided, reflective, address sign.

Quick and easy identification of all properties in the Township is imperative when law enforcement, medical emergency, or fire protection vehicles are called to respond to a possible crisis.

These signs should be placed at the driveway or entranceway to the addressed property. The sign should not be less than 4 feet and not more than 5 feet above road grade. The post for the sign should not be less than 3 feet and not more than 8 feet from the road edge, on the same side of the road as the dwelling or building.

If you do not have an address sign and have not been contacted by our office to pick up your sign, please call the office at 763-263-8111.

If you have been contacted by the Town Clerk's Office that your individual address sign is here, please pick it up as soon as possible so that it can be installed before the ground freezes.

The cost of the sign is $15.00. Posts are available for $5.00. If your mailbox post meets the specifications for placement of the address sign, that existing post can be used.

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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.

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.

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WELCOME 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.

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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BURN PERMITS AVAILABLE

Burning permits can be obtained from the Clerk's Office during regular business hours. There is no fee for the 10-day permit. Burning of piled, vegetative material can be done between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. Because of the unusually dry conditions this summer, please be aware that a burning ban could be placed at any time. Please also 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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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 Cost to Sherburne County Residents..................$400.00
Charge to open and close grave................................$350.00

Lot Cost to non-residents.........................................$800.00
Charge to open and close grave for non-resident.........$400.00

Please call the Town Clerk's Office at 763-263-8111 for full fee schedule information.

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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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