Township News: Big Lake Township, Minnesota USA

January 2006
Annual Election and Town Meeting
Burn Permits Available • Snowplow Policy • Annual Road Tour
Town Hall Rental • Board of Review Meeting • Septic System Information
Address Signs in Township • Mailbox Post Installation Ordinance

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ANNUAL ELECTION and TOWN MEETING
Tuesday, March 14, 2006

All Township residents will vote at Big Lake Town Hall located in Lions Community Park, 21960 County Road 5. The polls are open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on March 14, 2006. Should weather conditions be severe and local schools are closed, the election and meeting would be postponed to March 21, 2006.

Absentee Ballots are available at the Town Clerk's Office located in Lions Community Park beginning February 10, 2006. Absentee Ballots are available during regular business hours and on Saturday, March 11, 2006 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, and extended office hours on Monday, March 13, 2006 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Pre-registration for voting closes at 5:00 p.m. on February 15, 2006 at the Sherburne County Auditor's Office. Registration is permitted at the polls on Election Day, but certain forms of identification or a registered voter in the precinct to vouch for the registrant will be required.

The Election will be held for one (1), three-year term for Town Board Supervisor and will fill seat # 1; and, one (1), three-year term for Town Board Supervisor and will fill seat # 2.

The Annual Meeting will begin shortly after the polls close at 8:00 p.m. The Clerk will convene the meeting, which is open to all citizens of the Township 18 years and older. This meeting belongs to the citizens of the Township to recommend various needs for the Town and to set the levy for each of the Town funds. The electors will receive various reports, including those of the Treasurer and Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. Discussion will be brought to the electors on issues that the Township faces currently and issues that the Board of Supervisors see in the near future. Current issues will include, but are not limited to the ongoing maintenance of Town roads, economic development, & operation of the fire department.

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BURN PERMITS AVAILABLE

Burning permits are available 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 are an annual event. Especially when there has been a lack of snow. All residents are urged to do the majority of their burning when we have snow cover if possible.

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SNOWPLOW POLICY

The Town Road Committee and contracted plowing company make every effort to provide a high level of service when it comes to snowplowing. Residents are reminded that it is a violation of Town Ordinance #7 to park on or along any Town Road after a snowfall. Parking on the street or in the right of way is prohibited for the purpose of snow removal. Any vehicle owner in violation of this ordinance is subject to misdemeanor charges and fines.

Lawn Irrigation System Damage The Town will not be responsible for damage to any underground lawn sprinklers that are located in the town road right-of-way (33' from the centerline of the road.) Homeowner's are responsible for their irrigation systems and should consider relocating the irrigation heads within their property lines.

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 24 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 763-241-7000 or 800-594-5208.

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ANNUAL ROAD TOUR

The purpose of the tour is to examine the condition of road surface, ditches, signs and striping if applicable.
The road tour is conducted preferably after the frost is out of the ground. The tour will cover in excess of 79 miles of town road.

The annual road tour gives the road committee the opportunity to review its road priorities and to determine if there should be changes in those priorities. The tour also is used to set a schedule for various road projects. With the investment the Township has in its road system, all efforts are made to do the maintenance needed to get the maximum use before major overlay projects are done. Road safety continues to be the township's top priority.

Again, this year during the road tour, the committee will note those properties that do not have an address sign. For those properties without a sign, arrangements may be made to have one installed and costs will be charged to the owner of record. If you do not have a sign and have not been notified by the Clerk's Office to pick up a sign, please call the Town Clerk at 263-8111 and a sign will be ordered for you. You will then be notified when the sign is ready for installation.

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TOWN HALL RENTAL

Looking for a place to have a family reunion, picnic, or just get together?

Reservations are taken up to 90 days in advance of an event for the rental of the Town Hall meeting room and kitchen facilities. The rental fee is $200.00. A damage deposit of $100.00 is also required. The damage deposit is returned if the rented area is cleaned and there are no damages.

No alcohol is allowed anywhere in the park.

To rent the Town Hall, contact the Clerk's Office at 763-263-8111.

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BOARD OF REVIEW MEETING

The Township Board of Review Meeting will be held in April 2006. Look for published information regarding the exact date and time of this meeting in the West Sherburne Tribune in March-April 2006. This is your opportunity to question or challenge the market value placed on your property for the next tax year.

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SEPTIC SYSTEM INFORMATION
is available at the Big Lake Town Clerk's Office

If you are a new resident of Big Lake Township or have lived here for a while and have questions or are interested in getting information regarding your home's septic system, call the Township at 763-263-8111 for information on the use and maintenance of your sanitary septic system.

Please note : During the winter when the snow cover melts off your septic tank, leaving the ground exposed to freezing temperatures, the possibility of damage to the septic system does exist.

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ADDRESS SIGNS IN TOWNSHIP

In 1993, the Big Lake Township Board of Supervisors passed Ordinance No. 8 requiring all residences in the Township to be marked with address numbers on a sign at the end of their individual driveways. The purpose of this ordinance was to make it more efficient for emergency vehicles, such as ambulance, fire trucks or police to locate the residence in a timely manner should an emergency occur.

As our Township population grows it becomes more evident that the emergency service people responding to a call need to be able to find the address as soon as possible.

If you do not have an address sign for your property, please contact the Town Hall at 763-263-8111 to order a sign. The cost of a sign is $15.00. Posts are also available for an additional $5.00.