Town Board also updated on school forest news
Alice Pickering
Linwood Reporter
The Linwood Town Board on Jan. 14 approved the appointments of Eileen Reinke and Deb Parker as president and vice president, respectively, of the Senior Advisory Board. They fill vacancies due to the resignations of Kathy Hereau and Laura Hermann.
With new leadership, appointments of Hank Senger and Nancy Olson were to be reviewed and the Senior Advisory Board will make recommendations at the next town board meeting.
Following disagreement amongst senior board members last year, the group agreed to hold a mediation session with Anoka County representatives. That meeting with Anoka County Mediation Service was held Jan. 20.
Fire Department report
Jim Stockinger of Linwood Fire and Rescue reported that the Rescue 5 truck is now in service. Telescoping lights remain to be installed. The department is still seeking to sell Engine 2, otherwise it may be available to the Anoka County Fire Training Academy.
Feb. 5 is scheduled as a recognition night for the Fire Department. A life-saving award is part of the program.
Three members of the department have passed their National Registry Test. Four new probationary members began training Jan. 8. They are Kyle Cold, Justin Hansen, Adam Satchell and Adam Taylor.
The department responded to 22 calls in December. Of these, 14 were for medical emergencies and eight were for other emergencies.
Medallion hunt
Supervisor Bob Millerbernd reported the third annual medallion hunt in the Linwood Community and School Forest was scheduled to begin Jan. 17. Jim Caldwell, interim Linwood Elementary principal, wrote the clues. Trails are being groomed and the north parking lot kept cleared.
Millerbernd said a walk-through of the forest this winter may result in additional trails. He also reported that Cheri Stockinger is stepping down as president of the School Forest Committee. The next Linwood Community and School Forest Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 3.
Other business
Town Board Chair Phil Osterhus reviewed the township’s snow plowing policy. Usually snow is plowed when 4 inches are on the ground. During the most recent snowfall, the township was short-handed. Plowing was done to get at least one driving lane open, with the remainder to be finished when possible. The snow removal and road maintenance agreement with Lent Township was approved.
Millerbernd reported that plans are to install the first carp barrier in the outlet on the south side of Martin Lake. One resident living near the outlet of Typo Lake has expressed concern about barriers blocking migration of game fish. According to Millerbernd, the Department of Natural Resources will manage the barriers according to the water temperature, specific to when species of game fish spawn.
Millerbernd announced that Steve Milbrant submitted a letter of interest in serving on the Sunrise River Water Management Organization. About 46 percent of the Sunrise River Watershed lies within Linwood Township. Millerbernd said the organization’s budget is likely to be a little lower than last year.
The board unanimously approved Milbrant’s appointment as Linwood’s representative. He fills the vacancy created when Tim Peterson recently resigned from the organization.
The board also:
– Noted that Linwood Township has a new email address: info@linwoodtownship.org.
– Learned the garage-sale fundraiser for Linwood Family Fun Days is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Feb. 14-15 at the Linwood Senior Center.
– Scheduled a workshop targeting the general fund budget for 6:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 27. The Park Board meets the same evening to complete its preliminary budget.