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*The board approved advertising for bids for its overlay and road finishing projects this year. Overlays are planned for 293rd Avenue, 155th Street, Baywater Road, and King Bee Drive. New bituminous surfaces are planned for the Country Acres Addition and for the Lordon Addition, with the township still working on a takeover agreement with this second addition, including a suitable turnaround and money in escrow for the paving.

The township will open these bids at their meeting on Monday, May 23, at 8:15 p.m.

*The board accepted quotes for their 2005 crack filing and seal coating projects. The township expects to fill cracks on Crest Ridge Road, NW Koronis Road, Breezewood Road, 300th Avenue, Baywater Road, Briorhill Road, and Cedar Crest Drive. It accepted a quote from L&M Services of Belgrade for 76.4¢ per pound.

The township expects to seal coat the following roads in 2005: 180th Street, 263rd Avenue, Timber Lane, Koronis Drive, Lake Koronis Road, Desmond Drive, Hillside Court, Crowncrest Road, Cedar Point Road, Cliffwood Road, Crosswood Road, Cushing Road, Cross Creek Road, Dolphin Drive, Lake Avenue, Lakeview Lane, Apple Tree Lane, Conita Circle, and Bluefield Road. The township estimates that it will seal coat 132,772 square yards of road this year.

It accepted quotes for seal coat from Koch Materials Company at 77¢ per gallon - 27,882 gallons are needed at 0.25 gallons per square yard; for pea rock from Thull Construction Company of $9,801 for 9,840 square yards of gravel (delivered); and for seal coat application from Caldwell Asphalt of 50¢ per gallon for labor.

*The board approved proceeding with the installation of electronic warning arms at the railroad crossing on Cross Creek Road. The township has been informed by MnDOT that they are likely to receive $157,000 in federal funds for the project, which would cost $175,000, requiring a $17,500 match from the township.

*The board approved having the Paynesville Police Department credit their billing for 17.75 hours of unused time during the 2004-05 police contract, which amounts to $527.53.

*The board approved a variance for Bruce and Patricia Nokleby to construct an unattached accessory building on their property on Breezewwood Road in Section 31 of the township. The Noklebys want to contruct a 2,385-sq.-ft. building on the property, which exceeds the allowable size by 735 sq. ft.

*The board also approved a conditional-use permit for the Noklebys, which had been the subject of a public hearing last fall, to allow the construction of an accessory building without a primary structure. The conditional-use permit lasts for two years but can be extended.

*The board approved a variance for Shawn Orbeck to build an addition to his business, Granite Creations, on Highway 23. The addition would come within 16 feet of the rear property line, whereas the township ordinance requires a 20-foot setback, thus necessitating the variance.

*The board set a public hearing for Monday, May 9, at 8:15 p.m. to consider a rezoning request involving 120 acres of land, owned by Dennis Spaulding and Earl Stang, in Sections 7 and 18 of the township. The property is currently zoned A-40, and the owners are requesting to change that to R-5.

*The board set a public hearing for a variance request from Marty Frank for Monday, May 9, at 8:30 p.m. Franks wants a variance for 299 animal units within 700 feet of a residential development and in T-20. He owns 197.55 acres in Sections 6 and 7 of the township.

*The board set a public hearing for Monday, May 9, at 8:45 p.m. on a proposed addition to the township ordinance requiring land dedication or cash payment in lieu of land for park and trail purposes. The county is considering adding such a requirement to their ordinance, said board chairman Don Pietsch, with a possible fee of $1,000 per lot. A percentage of that would go to the local township, said Pietsch, so one reason to consider changing the township ordinance would be to lower the local fee since the township would collect it all. Township officials indicated that they would only enact this ordinance if the county proceeds with it.

*The board heard a report from supervisor Harry Thielen about the oil-recycling depot at the township maintenance garage. Thielen noted that, in less than two years of operation, more than 4,000 gallons of used oil have been collected along with 13 drums of used oil filters and 133 gallons of antifreeze. One wonders where all this was being disposed before, said Thielen. The township shares the local costs for the depot with the city.

*The board authorized maintenance man Mike Jensen to complete a stormwater project along King Bee Drive with needed help.