CLERK’S RECORD OF WEDNESDAY MAY 7, 2025 WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING

Chair Mike McCullen called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm. with the Pledge. Also present, Superivisors Alden Shute and Maureen Rioux, Clerk Paul Raymond, Treasurer Patrice Winfield, Cindy Klienschmidt, Glen and Stefanie Williamson, Clay Heller, Micah Murray, Lane Cales, Rebekah Calder, Sarah Bergren, Daniel Calder.

Road Report: Alden gave his report for April, mostly routine blading. The big project coming up is replacing the deep culvert on Tamarack Pine Drive, which will close the road past Ecovillage for 4 – 6 hours, hopefully on Friday, May 16. Alden will give notice to the Mattsons and Maureen. The culvert is 18” x 40′.

Spring Road Inspection: Alden is off Fridays, so he wants us to do the inspection on Friday, May 23, 10 a.m. We will do the Crooked Lake rangeline roads last. Open meeting. Clerk will post and publish.

Vink Road: Cindy said that Kyle and Alexa, her neighbors to the north, ask if the soft spots could be worked on. Alden assured her that this is a project he will be working on, and the board will inspect the road May 23.

OLD BUSINESS: Alleged Election Ballot Irregularities: The Pine County Attorney Reese Frederickson and the Sheriff’s Dept. Investigator Zach Libra are investigating allegations of ballot irregularities in our March 11, election. The Sheriff’s Deputy came to the Clerk’s home. No decision yet, but clerk is confident it will be dismissed like Stan Riley’s complaint about the DVFD and the complaint to the State of Minnesota regarding a personal campaign letter written by a citizen. Copy of ballot shown to board. Request to Glen and Stefanie as to what the complaint was, but they would not say. Alden said that Auditor Kelly Schroeder said all township election ballots need to list candidates alphabetically and not to alternate positions on the ballot. Patrice said that in other state/national elections, the names are alternated to not give an advantage to any candidate.  That’s what the clerk said he was trying to do.

Assessor, Board of Review and Equalization: Glen asked if we lost our local boards because of no trained officers. Paul explained that on almost every agenda and meeting record for the past year he has posted about online training for supervisors for boards of appeal and equalization, but only Mike and Maureen got certified, Maureen too late for our board. We can get it back after one year. Board of Appeal and Equalization Training website: mnrevenue@public.govdelivery.com Follow the instructions.

Spring Short Course: Was Friday, April 4, at the DECC in Duluth. Mike, Maureen, Patrice, Paul and Glen attended and we took different classes. For Clerks & Treasurers: Post/Publish; Meetings; Legislative & MAT Update and Insurance Update; Reorganization Meeting; Paid Leave Reporting; Clerk/Treasurer Monthly Duties; /SLFRF/ARPA reporting.

For Supervisors: MN State Fire Marshall Division; Local Road Research Board; Legislative & MAT Update and Insurance Update; Navigating New Regulations on Road Approaches; Paid Leave Reporting & Town Road Miscellany.

FREE Amazon Business Prime Membership. They said participating townships will receive a FREE Amazon Business Prime membership. The Minnesota Association of Townships announces a new partnership with Amazon Business. Exclusive to member Townships, receive free Business Prime and special Government pricing on thousands of essential products. This membership includes fast, free shipping on eligible items and access to exclusive discounts across thousands of products. Staples also has a township program we could check out.

Wilma Cigarette Licenses: Inquiries to the county auditor about our license led to the county taking over our licenses, at $100 per year instead of $10. We had the legal right to issue licenses, but it will be easier for us to let the country do it, and they can enforce investigations of minors buying cigarettes. We were the only township in the county doing it. Validity of all Wilma-issued cigarette licenses since 1970 questioned. All boards and chairmen for over 40 years, including Glen, approved cigarette license applications and no one ever challenged our licenses, which were prominently displayed at the Duxbury Store. Clerk said, “What difference at this point does it make?”

NEW BUSINESS: County Land Sale, North Duncan Road: County wants to sell 200 acres of tax-forfieted land on the east side of N. Duncan road. Mike said the whole reason he got on the board was because the county was selling public lands, and he has consistently opposed taking any public lands out of public use for hunting and fishing. Wilma has a standing resolution dated April, 2020, “THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF WILMA, PINE COUNTY, MINNESOTA : Township of Wilma opposes any sales of county land in Wilma Township and affirms that the public’s right to use these lands not be impeded or restricted but protected.” Chair Mike told Paul to send our resolution and a letter to Greg Beck, and ask for the date of a hearing that Mike can attejnd.

Bank Resolution: Northview Bank needs a new resolution adding Maureen Rioux as a signer/supervisor, and to change the position of Glen Williamson from supervisor to deputy treasurer. Mike moved that the board adopt this resolution; Alden seconded; passed. Patrice had all the officers sign the form and she will bring it, with a copy of tonight’s record, to the bank.

Training for Deputy Clerk and Treasurer: Supervisors Maureen Rioux and Mike McCullen had asked that the agenda include setting a policy for training for deputy clerks and treasurers. Necessary training was set by board at $22/hour, the same as other officers. Long discussion about what out-of-town training should be paid? Consensus that deputy training directly relating to the duties of clerk or treasurer such as short courses will be paid, but no decision on other meetings such as the annual 3-day 2-night conference; Township Day at the Capitol; County Township Officers’ Meetings; Legal Seminar; District 7 Meeting; L&R Meeting. Patrice said she wants Glen to be paid $100 for the last board meeting, but no decision on Glen being paid for the County Township Officers’ Meeting where hs was also paid by the PCTOA to take records, so that will stand also. Chairman Mike tabled the issue.

Online training: Mike moved that we pay $22/hour for online training. Alden seconded; passed.

MATIT Town Insurance Policy: MATIT asks the board to review coverage. Our last appraisal valued the town hall at $173,859 and the fire/grader hall at $176, 703. The board asked the clerk to request a new appraisal as they didn’t think we could replace these buildings for this.

Coiuri & Ruppe Legal Seminar: will be in Rutledge, Saturday, October 11, 2025, 9 am to 4 pm. On Agenda: Cartways; Engineering: Roads; Municipal Contracting; Ordinance Enforcement; Family Medical Leave Act; Road Rights-of-Way; Open Meeting Law.

Duxbury VFD Pancake Breakfast: Sunday, May 25, 7 am to 1 pm, Duxbury Town Hall. Paul asked if people would please help set up tables and chairs after board meeting, and the Ecovillage people helped.

Treasurer’s Report and Claims: Total bills: $3,185.95 Alden moved to approve her report and transfer $3,000 from savings to checking. Maureen seconded; all aye. Passed. Mike moved to adjourn; Alden seconded. Adjourned at 9:40.

Paul Raymond, Clerk