MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING

PALMER TOWNSHIP

February 10, 2025

 

The regular meeting of the Palmer Township Board was called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Palmer Township Hall, with Chairman Ganz, Supervisor Demeules, and Supervisor Wipper present. Also present was Amy Bragelman, Township Clerk, and Treasurer Roger Johnson via Zoom. The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Treasurer’s Report:  Treasurer Roger Johnson read the balances from the Treasurer's report. Supervisor Demeules made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report. Supervisor Wipper seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

 

Sheriff’s Report:  Capitan Ben Zawacki read the Sheriff’s report for January. There were 69 Total calls for service as compared to 102 calls for service in 2024. There was 1 trespassing, 1 accident involving an animal, 19 traffic stops, 9 security checks, 5 extra patrols,1 domestic, 3 medicals, and 4 suspicious activities to name a few. Zawacki reported that it was a very slow month. A resident inquired about how to test for cannabis if you suspect that a driver is impaired. Zawacki stated that they have trained drug recognition specialists that they would call.

 

Road Maintenance/Signs: Chairman Ganz reported Herbst was out plowing and sanding. No new signs at this point. Chairman Ganz made a motion to allow snowmobile signs to be placed under existing signs using the same pole. Supervisor Demeules seconded, and the motion was carried. Supervisor Demeules received an email from Dalhke stating that bids have gone out, but there was confusion as to which Culvert the bids went out. Supervisor Demeules will reach out to Scott Dalhke for clarification tomorrow. 

 

Fire Department:  reported for January. The monthly call report for 1/13/2025 to 2/10/2025 shows 11 calls for the Clear Lake Fire Department. 2 of those calls were for Palmer Township. 1 was a medical, and 1 was a fire.  

 

P.E.C : Chairman Ganz stated that we will have Clean-up Day on May 3rd. Dave Lucas reached out to Chairman Ganz about putting a food waste dumpster on site, which the County will police and pay for. If at any time we don’t like it, they will pull it. Clear Lake Township uses a mattress recycling company. Chairman Ganz is going to reach out to them and see if they can work with Palmer Township. We will have to adjust our pricing this year. 

 

Park Report: Chairman Ganz reported that there was vandalism at the park again. Benches and the Porta Potty were tipped over, and the little library door was ripped off. Chairman Ganz called a Deputy. They also got a call on Saturday night about a broken cabin window, these two incidents may be related. Chairman Ganz received a contract for Surface Pro. They hope to come out and lay the surface in late May or early June.

                                                                                                                                    

Two Inlets: No meeting last month.

 

Park Committee: Nothing new to report.

 

Lake Association: Walt Munsterman on 2024 water testing. He thanked the board for their continued support and the members of the community that do the testing. Walt reported that the changes in the lakes are moving in the right direction. Walt stated that it has taken many years for the lakes to deteriorate to the point of being placed on the impaired water list and that it will take many years to get off. The testing program has been done since 2006 by volunteers and has been used in helping to understand what is going on in our lakes. The Secchi Disk readings show the clarity of the water, phosphorus, and chlorophyll levels. Some factors that may be causing the lakes to decline may be bigger watercraft, the use of aqua thrusters, and any fertilizers that get washed into the lakes. Also, Carp may be a factor in high phosphorus levels. The T-lid is trying to obtain a grant to mitigate the high number of carp in our lakes. Something residents can do to combat the descent of the lakes is to educate residents about shoreline restoration, rain gardens, upgrading septic systems, and the use of fertilizer. To acquire a full report, please see clerk Amy Bragelman during Normal business hours.

Shelly Alger-Peyton reported on behalf of BLCA. Ice Day turnout may have been less this year than in past years. They estimate that around 250 to 300 people came for the event. The event is free. Carp Solutions will be at the BLCA meeting on April 12th at 10 AM. 

 

T-Lid: Barb Aaberg reported on behalf of the T-Lid. Chairman Bob Sass is working with the BLCA on Carp management and getting more information on the Alam study. The T-Lids annual meeting is in August.     

 

Approval of Minutes: Supervisor Demeules made a motion to approve the January minutes. Supervisor Wipper seconded, and the motion carried.

 

OLD BUSINESS:  Nothing              

 

NEW BUSINESS: Supervisor Demeules reported on the Proposed Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance.  He explained that this ordinance helps elder people stay on their land and have other family live on the property to help. These homes would not be trailers; they would be more prefabricated homes. It probably won’t be able to take advantage of this ordinance on any of our lake properties due to the type of variances and CUP’s that are available. This ordinance was meant more for farms or bigger properties where you would have enough space for more than one dwelling. It would still only be one parcel and considered only one residence with an accessory dwelling. This is part of their solution for the aging community that may not be able to take care of their property on their own anymore. Supervisor Demeules will send comment to the County.

Jennifer and Brian Hamm are requesting a conditional use permit and requesting variances. They are requesting a CUP to build on stilts so that they would not be diverting water, as this property is prone to flooding during highwater events. The board sees no problem with this and will send comment to the County. The board sees no problem with variances and will send comment to the County.

The board is looking into getting fiber internet at the park. They received a bid from Arvig for 1,267.02 for installation and $455 a month locked in for 5 years. The board would also like to call Midco for a quote.

Supervisor Mitch made a motion to go with Surface Pro’s quote to resurface 2 pickle ball courts at the price of $16,000.00. Supervisor Demeules seconded, and the motion was carried.

 

Supervisor Demeules mentioned that the Township is looking into the purchase of a water logger to measure the height of water during high water events. This would run off Wi-Fi. Supervisor Demeules still has a few questions with the salesperson.

 

Chairman Ganz mentioned that the board is looking into a different layout for the funds. They will talk more about it at the annual meeting in March. They are thinking about transferring some funds into a CD.  

  

COMMENTS/QUESTIONS:

 

Supervisor Demeules made a motion to approve claims #25022- #25039, plus Conexus, $12,661.30. Supervisor Wipper seconded.

 

Chairman Ganz made a motion to adjourn.  Supervisor Wipper seconded, and the motion was carried.  The meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m.

 

Amy Bragelman, Palmer Township Clerk Approved as reviewed February 10, 2025

 

At 8:30 pm, Chairman Ganz called the Board of Audit to order.  A review of the clerk's and treasurer's summary dated January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024, was held.  No discrepancies were noted. A motion was made by Chairman Ganz and seconded by Supervisor Wipper to approve the books.  The motion carried unanimously.  The Board of Audit was closed at 8:32 pm.