MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
PALMER TOWNSHIP
JUNE 9, 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 were Amy Bragelman, Township Clerk, and Treasurer Roger Johnson. 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: Captain Ben Zawacki read the Sheriff’s report for May. There were 94 Total calls for service as compared to 97 calls for service in 2024. There was 1 animal bite, 1 theft of a riding lawn mower, 22 traffic stops, 2 security checks, 7 extra patrols, 1 death, 1 disturbing the peace, vandalism of the park, 8 medicals, and 5 boating complaints, to name a few.
Road Maintenance/Signs: Supervisor Wipper reported Herbst is going to be out mowing ditches sometime before the 4th of July. They have begun potholing in Palmer Township. Supervisor Ganz mentioned that if there are any Advertising Signs in the road right-of-way, they will be picked up and put alongside the dumpster. We are waiting on some road signs to be delivered. Supervisor Ganz stated that the road work and culvert replacement on Briggs Creek is tentatively starting on July 28th. The project will take about 2 1/2 weeks. The road will be closed during construction. They are also looking at putting a culvert on the North end of Julia.
Fire Department: Chief Koren reported for May. The monthly call report for 5/12/2025 to 6/08/2025 shows 29 calls for the Clear Lake Fire Department. 11 of those calls were for Palmer Township: 9 medicals, 1 downed power line, and 1 gas leak.
P.E.C.: Treasure Roger Johnson reported that we had a total of $15,788.71 in expenses. We collected $4,690.00 in fees. The total cost was $11,098.71, and we could possibly collect $10,000 in score grants. Chairman Ganz stated that we are most likely going to have Clean Up Day next year on the first Saturday in May. Chairman Ganz announced that we will be a drop-off site for Sherburne County's organic recycling program. You can pick up your kit at the Town Hall on Tuesday during normal business hours. More information can be found on our website, palmertownshipmn.org, and Sherburne County's website.
Park Report: Chairman Ganz stated that Palmer Ball is in full swing. The park got fertilizer, black dirt, and seed this week. The chain link fence on the pickleball court was installed last week. They started prepping the pickleball courts to be painted. They should be ready to be used by the end of the month. Supervisor Wipper reported that the park was vandalized 2 Thursdays ago. Lights were broken, tables were tipped, the porta potty was moved, the basketball net and volleyball net were cut, and garbage was dumped. Supervisor Wipper is compiling a list for the
investigators with all the pricing that it will cost Palmer Township to fix damages and the time that it took to clean up the park. We do know who vandalized the park. At this point, we are not sure of the consequences will be for those individuals who vandalized the park. We are fairly certain that the same individuals vandalize the park on Ice Day and New Year's Eve.
Supervisor Demeules report on Two Inlets Park. They had their regathering event, and it went well.
Lake Reports: Shelly Alger-Peyton reported on behalf of BLCA. There are currently 190 members. Friday, June 13th, the BCLA will be at the park at 5:00 pm for their annual membership BBQ in the park. Sherburne Soil and Water will also be there to do a presentation. Residents have had a lot of questions about water quality and the filamentous algae that have been floating in our lakes. The BLCA has posted articles on the Facebook page and its website. You can also come to the annual BLCA barbecue if you have any questions for the Sherburne County Soil and Water.
Approval of Minutes: Supervisor Demeules made a motion to approve the May minutes. Supervisor Wipper seconded, and the motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS: Nothing
NEW BUSINESS: Mark Niemann was present. He is requesting a 44’ variance in setback from the right of way of 42nd St SE for an addition on an existing legal nonconforming structure.
Required setback from the right of way is 67'.
Additionally, he is requesting a 13.6' variance in setback from the OHWL of Briggs Creek to construct an addition to a legal nonconforming structure. Required setback from a Forested River is 150'. Supervisor Demeules will send comment to the County. The board thinks that this is an acceptable use of the property. They also informed Mark that this area is prone to flooding and at times, closes with limited access for residents and emergency services.
Joel Hitkamp was present to request a 103-foot variance to the OHL of Boyd Lake to install a new septic system. The DNR has changed the OHW since the property was first surveyed in 1994. The septic system that was installed at the time is not within the change OHW setback. He is looking for a variance to replace and update the drain field to bring it into compliance. Supervisor Demeules will send comment to the County. The board doesn’t understand how something like a change in property elevation can happen. The board does agree that a working septic is important, and this variance needs to be approved.
Supervisor Demeules made a motion to approve the Briggs Lake General Stores and Palmer House liquor license renewal. Chairman Ganz seconded, Supervisor Wipper abstained, and the motion was carried
COMMENTS/QUESTIONS:
Supervisor Demeules made a motion to approve claims #25117- #25144, plus Conexus, $56,077.64. Supervisor Wipper seconded, and the motion carried.
Chairman Ganz made a motion to adjourn. Supervisor Wipper seconded, and the motion was carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Amy Bragelman, Palmer Township Clerk, Approved as reviewed July 14, 2025