CLERK’S RECORD OF WEDNESDAY, FEB. 4, 2026 WILMA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF AUDIT AND 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, Deputy Clerk Cindy Kleinschmidt, Daniel and Rebecca Calder, Clay Heller, Jr., Stefanie Williamson, Rachel Bean, and Terry Koscielniak.

BOARD OF AUDIT: Paul and Patrice have coordinated and cross-checked their books before the audit. Supervisors checked and compared the records on their Schedule 1 Reports. The clerk had a $1,000 escrow receipt and a $1,000 escrow refund to Fornengo Logging that was not on the Treasurer’s report. She had printed her Schedule One in the 2026 fiscal year, and it did not have this escrow. Mike moved to move the Board of Audit to the March 4, 2026 Board Meeting. Maureen seconded; passed.

Proposed Budget and Levies for 2027 to present to voters at Annual Meeting. Alden moved to approve the Clerk’s proposed budget to present to the voters for approval. Maureen seconded; passed. Only increase is Fire Fund, from $4,500 to $10,000 due to new contract with Duxbury VFD for fire and medical responses. Total levy proposed: $41,000.

Clerk’s Report of January Board Meeting. Paul read the report; Alden said he didn’t get new tires at Glen’s Tire in Mora, but they fixed a flat tire. With this change, he moved to approve the report; Maureen seconded; passed.

ROAD REPORT: No major plowing. He will replow Heller Drive and the cul-de-sac on Lost River Road.

OLD BUSINESS: Kenny Peterson Road: Terry Koscielniak, the 45-year owner of a parcel and cabin at the end of road is requesting some township help to help build up the road past our claimed portion so he and his descendants can access his cabin and land. In 2010 the board voted to reduce our claimed part from ½ mile to ¼ mile (.26 mile) for county gas tax, since it was impassable past this point, partly from beavers damming the creek. In prior years, the board did vote to put in a culvert and gravel on the second ¼ mile, Mike thinks by Denny Slomka. After 2010, the board continued to dump one load of gravel at the end of the road for several years. The entire ½ mile original road plat is public right-of-way. Terry said he took it personally that the board made this decision since he was the only cabin on the road. A previous board said they would help with the road if he signed a paper of responsibility. He said a road not maintained for many years could be considered abandoned and could be vacated. Mike said that will never happen. Terry volunteered to spread the gravel if the township would put it down. Alden estimated it would take 35 loads of pit run 6” gravel at least, at $175 per load. The best time for this would be in late summer when the road is dry. The board will inspect the road in May at the Road Inspection Meeting, which is traditionally the time roads are wettest. Alden recommended that if the board does act, that they put down 10 loads of pit run by Craig Summerland, with a volunteer service agreement with Terry. The board decided to table the issue until the road inspection.

NEW BUSINESS: ECE Fiber Optic: A permit application from ECE and Brittani Hanson was given to the board for review for new fiber placement on township roads. She is the Right of Way Coordinator for ECE, brittani.hanson@ecemn.com Mike moved to approve the application; Alden seconded; passed.

NEW BUSINESS: Township Day at the Capitol: Will be March 2, 2026; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Capitol Radison. Free. Lunch provided. Mike said the board has authorized only the clerk to attend. SCHEDULE: 10:00 AM: Registration/ Radisson Hotel St. Paul/Capitol Ridge; 10:30: Welcome, and Legislative Briefing at hotel; 12:00 NOON: Lunch (provided) at hotel; 12:30 PM: Buses/travel to Capitol; 1:00 to 4:00 PM: Individual Legislative Meetings at the State Capitol (Senator Rarick and Rep. Nathan Nelson). 1:00 to 4:00: Open House and Speakers at the State Capitol; 3:45 to 4:00: Last bus back to the hotel 4:00 to 5:00 PM: Debrief and door prizes at the hotel 5:00 PM: Conclusion. This is an opportunity to lobby our Senator and Representative for cell service and to tell them that satellite-enabled direct-to-device (D2D) exists, which allows users to connect their existing smartphones to satellite networks for better coverage, especially in remote areas. This now exists now for AT&T and Starlink customers. Paul can ask them to lobby to get it for all cell phone users, since the technology exists.

Contact info: Senator Jason Rarick, Capitol Office, 95 University Avenue W., Minnesota Senate Bldg., Room 3413 St. Paul, MN 55155. 651-296-1508 E-mail: sen.jason.rarick@mnsenate.gov.

Rep. Nathan Nelson (R) District: 11B 2nd Floor Centennial Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155; 651-296-0518; Toll Free: 800-704-8185 E-mail: rep.nathan.nelson@house.mn.gov

NEW BUSINESS: Wilma Township Election, Tuesday, March 10, 2026: Alden and Paul are up for re-election and both filed, along with Steve Menth for Supervisor. Alden moved that the board appoint Patrice , Cindy Klienschmidt and Stefanie Williamson to serve as judges, from 5 to 8 p.m. All are trained. Ervin Kleinschmidt is trained as backup. Maureen seconded; passed.

Voter Account Funding: We get $21.19. Vote to yield it to the county like last year. Mike moved to forfeit the $21 to the county. Alden seconded; passed.

Absentee Ballot Board: We are required to have a Board of Absentee Ballots to open and verify any absentee ballots. Two judged required; Paul and Cindy are trained for the board and Paul would like them confirmed. Per Auditor: “You need to meet periodically through the absentee period.  For the beginning part, the ballot board needs to accept or reject within 5 days of receiving them.  And then within 2 weeks of the election, that decreases to 3 days. Example: Ballot comes in February 9th.  You can wait until February 14th to meet and see if you get any others. If you get a ballot on March 3rd, you have to meet by March 6th.” Patrice asked if Paul can serve on the board if he is on the ballot? Alden moved that Patrice and Cindy should be appointed; Maureen seconded; passed. The clerk will contact the auditor if this board is needed for township elections and if any special training is required.

Spring Short Course: This year will be back at the Blackbear Casino, Friday, April 3. Federal mileage rate now $ .725/mile. We usually carpool.

Treasurer’s Report and Claims: Total bills: $1,919.71 Alden moved to approve her report and transfer $2,000 from savings to checking. Mike seconded; all aye. Passed. Alden moved to adjourn; Maureen seconded. Adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Paul Raymond, Clerk