March 23, 2006 at 7:34 a.m.
Amador sees good turnout for annual meeting, Vande Kamp newest supervisor
Amador sees good turnout for annual meeting, Vande Kamp newest supervisor
Clerk Chris Johnson (re-elected) was still taking the annual meeting minutes, albeit on a laptop computer.
The Amador Township budget has grown since its founding and issues facing the township citizens no longer include diptheria and gypsies, but rather new development, equipping public works and taking care of wastewater systems.
At the annual meeting March 14: Town Board Chair Ray W. Johnson said the end of year balance is $184,695 which is “looking pretty good.” He reminded everyone that the township has to live off this balance until property tax distribution and money arrives about August.
The ledger sheet shows Fire & Rescue with a negative $6,572 but it is the nature of this account to sometimes have revenue out of sync with the bills due, and the citizens were told not to worry. Amador Township’s fire account is jointly funded in a cooperative agreement including Chisago Lake North, Shafer, and Sunrise.
Fire Chief Rick Wagner said there are 32 firefighters in a maximum contingent of 35 and seven or eight are now trained as EMTs. Many more are First Responder certified.
Average fire department response time is seven minutes. “I know if it’s your place it can seem like a half hour, but it’s not,” Wagner added.
Using a state DNR grant Almelund Fire Dept. is installing two dry hydrants this season. (Dry hydrants are used to fill apparatus from streams or lakes.)
The department will take receipt of $182,700 in equipment that won’t cost township residents any money, the chief added. A FEMA grant and proceeds from concessions at the Almelund Threshing Show funded the purchases.
A citizen asked about plans to place severe weather warning sirens and the chief said that’s on the list and town officials are looking into it.
The fire fighters are considering expanding the fire hall but are waiting to see if Sunrise Township gives the go-ahead on a fire substation project. Almelund firefighters would operate the Sunrise sub if it’s authorized to be built and storage would become available there.
Residents got an update on the creation of a Subordinate Service District to allow for building a localized wastewater treatment facility. About 40 households (the petition is being verified) requested the township undertake a communal wastewater facility.
No engineering has been done yet and those attending the meeting were assured there would be public hearings and much more information gathered before any project moves forward.
Amador Township’s budget in 2006 is $200,000 and the 2007 budget was declared set at the same amount by vote at the annual meeting.
~ By citizen vote town clerk and treasurer will get a monthly raise for 2006-2007 to $200, up from $150. Supervisors get $150. They all receive a per diem for individual meetings of $40.
Rick Greene, township supervisor in charge of buildings and property told the citizens the Heritage Center needs an electrical upgrade, and welcomed volunteers/donations.
The ballpark well is still on the to-do list and the gazebo is in bad shape, Greene added.
Dale Westlund, who attended his final meeting as a supervisor, commended “the biggest crowd we have had” for participating.
In other budget actions, Town Hall rental was increased for residents to $35 because the $25 rate wasn’t covering clean-up materials and time. Non residents can rent the hall for $100.
Almelund Lions representative Kenneth Lundgren said the Lions contributed $12,000 and contributed over 2,000 hours of service at a variety of functions.
The group meets the first and third Mondays at town hall.
Lions help out during events at the ballfield and perform maintenance of the facility; hold a Halloween Party for youngsters; collected 68 pairs of donated eyewear for the Intl. Lions vision program and sponsored the Wellness Van at the Threshing Show.
County Commissioner for the township Rick Olseen updated meeting attendees on county happenings and said he is also seeking the DFL endorsement to run for state senate this summer. If he becomes the endorsed candidate he will not be seeking re-election to the County Board.
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