“Effective July 1, 2015, Linwood Township will no longer provide health insurance benefits for its employees and all references to health insurance benefits shall be removed from the Employee Handbook.”
The Linwood Township Board passed that resolution at its most recent meeting on July 14. Previously, the township did not provide health insurance to its employees directly; instead, it compensated employees to purchase health insurance individually. Staff recently learned that this practice is no longer allowable under the Affordable Care Act, leading the board to halt the compensation until a permanent solution can be found.
The decision was sudden, made after the rule was brought to the supervisors’ attention. At the meeting, no decisions were made on how the township would help provide for employees’ health insurance in the future. However, a special meeting was scheduled for July 22 (after press time) to discuss the topic with employees. The Forest Lake Times will explore this topic further as decisions are made. Linwood has four full-time employees.
Crack sealing
The Linwood Township 2015 Street Crack Sealing Project will begin soon. Based on engineer Craig Jochum’s recommendation, the board accepted the quote from ASTECH Corporation for the project. The range of the four quotes was from ASTECH’s low bid of $1.97 per pound for the crack sealing material to the high bid of $2.21.
The township has budgeted $45,000 for the project. The recommendation from Jochum was for 22,842 pounds of material, at a cost not to exceed $44,999.
The Fire Department parking lot also requires repairs, according to Jochum. There are 4,250 lineal feet of cracks. Material to fill these at the same rate would cost $5,200. The work on the parking lot can be done at the same time. Money to pay for this part of a combined project will come from the Fire Department budget. The vote was 4-1 to accept the quote. Supervisor Mike Halliday voted against because of the poor work completed during the past year.
Speed limit
The board passed a resolution declaring a street segment of 237th Street between Thames Street Northeast and MacKenzie Street Northeast a rural residential district. Requests have come from at least 20 residents living in the area to have the speed limit lowered. Many of them attended the meeting.
With the rural residential designation, the street will have a 35 mph speed limit. Township officials will also request a speed study. The vote for the action was 4-1. Township Supervisor Phil Osterhus wanted to wait for the speed study.
Senior center
The Linwood Senior Center is getting some new furniture for one of its spruced-up spaces. Township employees visited at least three furniture stores, looking to find furniture that would fit the space well and would be suitable. The board unanimously approved up to $1,100 to purchase two sofas for the Senior Center. Money to pay for the furniture will come from the remaining balance of the Senior Advisory funds.
Fire issues
Fire Chief Darryl Ballman reported the Linwood Department is still working out details about the Lent/Oxford Township mutual aid. He anticipates a draft agreement for Township Attorney Mike Haag to review in about two weeks. A mutual aid agreement has been reached with the Forest Lake Fire Department regarding an area near Tri-Oak Circle and Coon Lake.
Ballman told the board that interviews for fire officers began July 15. The positions of assistant chief II, three captains, fire marshal and two lieutenants have been posted. Ballman told the board that there are at least two qualified candidates for each of the positions.
The work on the old fire truck is progressing. Ballman said between $5,000 and $10,000 is needed to finish all the repairs and body work.
Other topics
Because Linwood in the only township remaining in Anoka County, Lyle Johnson, Minnesota Association of Township’s (MAT) 7th District chairman, invited board members to participate with Chisago County Association of Township Officers meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, at the senior center in North Branch.
In other business, the board:
– Learned that plans from Structural Building for the Town Hall building renovation should be available by September or October. The Building Study Committee met July 16.
– Tabled a decision about the purchase of two tool boxes for plow trucks until a price check is completed.
– By unanimous vote, took action to remove Brian Magnuson as a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Action was taken as a result of reports of a pattern of misrepresentation of his position and harassment of residents related to appearance of their respective lots.
– Gave permission for the resident at 23430 Orion St. to plant wildflowers in the road right of way.
– Learned that Supervisor Ed Kramer will try to secure a recycled refrigerator to store weekend bread deliveries outside the Senior Center.