CLERK’S RECORD OF WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 5, 2025 WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING
Chair Mike McCullen called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm. with the Pledge. Also present, Supervisors Alden Shute and Maureen Rioux, Clerk Paul Raymond, Treasurer Patrice Winfield, Micah Murray, Daniel Calder, Clay Heller, Jr., Laurie Murray, Cindy Kleinschmidt, Dylan and Hannah Linet, Zach Hanson, and Steve Menth.
Clerk’s Report of October 1 Board Meeting. Paul read the report; Clay corrected the report that his culvert is not coming up but it is covered by rock and needs a layer of gravel. He also said it was Danforth, not New Dosey, who had problems with zoning. With these corrections, Maureen moved to approve; Alden seconded; passed.
Township Laptop: Patrice said that Erv Kleinschmidt said our laptop is ok for CTAS, and doesn’t need to be replaced with a Windows 11 computer.
ROAD REPORT: North Duncan Road: Alden said he put 6 loads of gravel down on N Duncan Rd. He couldn’t find the culvert Mike said was coming up, but he spoke with Jim Bredesen and can check it in the spring. Eagle Head Road: Beavers are back and Hopkins unplugged the east end of the culvert. Duane may trap the beavers. Brushing: Fornengo Cement does a better job than Rootke, but they are more expensive. We may need to increase the Road and Bridge Fund levy at the annual meeting. Dollar Lake Road Project: Alden can’t find a culvert at the entrance to Dollar Lake Road, so he can probably widen the road without it. The road doesn’t flood there.
Backup Grader Operator: Steve Menth was hired as backup several years ago; he says he is able to do it still. Alden said he’d rather have Daniel Calder because he is young and can take over from Alden when he retires, as he expects to do. Daniel turned in his W4 form. Daniel has experience with stick shifts. Training rate is $22/hour.
OLD BUSINESS: Pine County Township Officers’ Association Meeting: Was Saturday, October 25, 2025, at the Hinckley Community Center. Low turnout. Secretary/Treasurer Glen Williamson did not attend. Only six invited county officials came, out of 18 invited. The record of the March meeting was not posted until the night before the meeting, but they still voted not to have it read in the meeting. Paul was the only Wilma official who attended and he questioned this, that we can’t approve it if we have not read it or heard it read. He later asked MAT Attorney Steve Fenske about this. Fenske said “The PCTOA is not a township and is not a part of MAT. County units are independent creations of the town officers within the county, and it appears to me that they pre-date MAT. Some town officers have been asking us if they must be a part of a county unit. The answer from the perspective of the law and MAT is ‘no’, there is no requirement that they be a part of a county unit.” Wilma pays $45/year to belong to the PCTOA. Mike said at only $45, we should stay members.
The Clerk gave a report: Commissioners Steve Hallan and Roger Nelson both spoke about the 2.6% levy. Ours is much smaller than other counties at 5.5 to 12%. Half of the budget is personnel. The Sandstone government center will be locked from now on. HHS is only funded at 50%. David Minke has retired as County Administrator and Kelly Schroeder replaced him. Mary Johnson replaced Kelly as Auditor. There is a new zoning person. County health insurance is self-funded so there was no increase. Four county programs are affected by the shutdown: Pine Co. has 1,400 SNAP participants, 36% children, 26% parents with children. 635 WIC recipients and this is funded until January. 5,281 people on medical assistance, 1/6 on Medicaid, also funded until January 1. They are aware of lack of cell service in many areas but the number 1 priority is internet, and ECE will have fiber optic high speed internet to all of their service area. Reese Frederickson is going after sex offenders and has convicted several. He is restricted by sentencing guidelines. The DOC determines risk levels and only level 3 requires notification to the community. Message apps have made abuse explode. Deputy Scott Bressen said it’s hard to find drug dealers in Pine Co. because they know they will be persued and prosecuted. Barbara Fischer of the NPAHD said mammograms and MRI’s and PT scans are available in Sandstone. Chis Sunberg is the elder voice advocate for facilities and choices for elder care.
Gabriel Seriano from the DNR said there is still wolf depradation, but it’s down. Deer and Bear populations are strong. They’re trying to change turkey season as there are too many. They donate fresh road kill to Ruby’s pantry. Tammy Carlson, District 7 Director talked about Paid Leave. MAT is trying to exempt township officials. Most towns will pay half and the employee half. All employees must be notified. March 2 will be Township Day at the Capitol. December 11-13 is the MAT annual conference. They want to raise dues 1% and we will vote at the short courses. There is a coalition agains big trucks because bridges can’t handle the weight. MAT is still talking about cell phone coverage.
The minutes are not posted yet on their website.
Wilma FallFest: Was cancelled.
Coiuri & Ruppe Legal Seminar: Was in Rutledge, Saturday, October 11, 2025, 9 am to 4 pm. Great presentations on Cartways; Engineering: Roads; Municipal Contracting; Ordinance Enforcement; Family Medical Leave Act; Road Rights-of-Way; Open Meeting Law. Mike and Paul attended. Power point books were given to all officers.
NEW BUSINESS: Pine Co Hazard Mitigation Plan: Denise Anderson: “Your presence is requested at the 2nd Planning Team Meeting for the update of the Pine County Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) because you have a position of administrative or departmental responsibility in the township. This meeting will be the final planning meeting for the HMP update process.” We will be holding the meeting virtually using Zoom webinar: Date: Tomorrow, Thursday, November 6, 2025 Time: 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Donation to ECE: They’re asking for a donation, above our bill. Alden said we already give to four groups and don’t need another one.
Ecovillage House Move: Micah said they are moving a house very early Friday morning and it will temporarily block the roads from the cities to Tamarack Pine Drive.
Arna Township Problems: Alden heard from a citizen that meetings are being moved and no one notifed so citizens can’t participate. He said if Wilma ever votes on zoning at the annual meeting that it should require100% of the board and 60% of the voters.
Minnesota Association of Township’s Annual Conference: Will be Thursday, December 11 through Saturday, December 13, 2025; St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center. Elected officers only. Need to register.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS on Friday afternoon will be held in four rooms in four time slots: Paid Family and Medical Leave: What Townships Need to Know PRESENTER: Evan Rowe, Deputy Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)
Small City & Town Accounting System (CTAS) Presentation and Assistance PRESENTER: Mark Albarado, Office of the State Auditor
Creating an Employment Policy and Managing Employees. PRESENTER: Maddie Cash, MAT In-House Counsel
Township Fire Contracts: Plan, Negotiate, Protect. PRESENTER: Graham Berg-Moberg, MAT In-House Counsel
Ordinances and Resolutions: Establishing the Law and Policies for your Town. PRESENTER: Jason Hill, Town Law Center PLLP
The Ex Officio Notary Power: Uses & Concerns. PRESENTERS: Troy Gilchrist, Town Law Center PLLP and Steve Fenske, MAT General Counsel
Fire Incident Trends and Prevention Strategies for Safer Communities
PRESENTER: Doug Johnson, Deputy State Fire Marshal, Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office
Township Roads: Gravel, Pavement & Beyond. PRESENTER: Mark Stordahl, engineer with Stonebrooke Engineering
The Broad Roles of the Minnesota Office of Broadband Development
PRESENTERS: Anna Norcutt Preuss, Community Engagement and Special Projects Coordinator, and Megan Messerole, Environmental and Land-Use Coordinator
MAT Trainers on Key Common Questions for Clerks/Treasurers PRESENTER: MAT Clerk/Treasurer Trainers
Open Q&A with MAT Trainers. PRESENTER: MAT Clerk/Treasurer Trainer
Treasurer’s Report and Claims: The Fire Fund has to have a transfer to pay the increase from $4,500 to $7,500. Mike moved to transfer the funds from the General Fund; Alden seconded; passed.
Patrice will attend Clerk/Treasurers training in St. Michael on Nov. 20 and get info on paid leave in CTAS. Because of the four-hour drive time, she asked if she could be paid for an all day meeting. She will ride with Katy fromk New Dosey. Mike moved to approve; Maureen seconded.
Total bills: $5,251.21. Alden moved to approve her report and transfer $5,000 from savings to checking. Maureen seconded; all aye. Passed. Mike moved to adjourn; Alden seconded. Adjourned at 8:45, but many citizens stayed behind to visit and talk after the meeting.
Paul Raymond, Clerk