MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
PALMER TOWNSHIP
November 17th, 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. Amy Bragelman, Township Clerk, and Treasurer Roger Johnson were also present. 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 October. There were 55 total calls for service as compared to 90 calls for service in 2024. Here are the calls for service that stood out during the month of October: 1 disturbing the peace, 1 accident involving an animal, 1 damage to property, and 1 death. There were 16 traffic stops resulting in 3 citations, and they responded to 3 civil complaints. Additional activities include 2 suspicious persons, 3 park patrols, 4 extra patrols, and 1 public assist. There were also 3 medical calls and 1 alarm fire.
Road Maintenance/Signs: Supervisor Wipper reported that the blacktop work on 42nd Street has been completed. Crews are currently working on shouldering, and they will finish sloping the road to meet the adjoining driveways so that everything ties in properly. Once all work is completed, the temporary water dams will be removed prior to freezing conditions. He further noted that 52nd Street has been paved and striped. 135th Avenue, which is a shared township road with Santiago Township, has sustained a significant amount of damage. The Township will need to contact Santiago to determine the next steps for repair and ongoing maintenance. Some temporary class-2 gravel may need to be added to get the road through the winter. Chairman Ganz stated that aside from these items, the roads should be ready for winter.
A resident from 114th Avenue informed the Board that several neighbors had questions regarding why some properties received culverts, and others did not. There was concern that the two homes may still need culverts installed. Supervisor Wipper stated he would go out and review the driveways in question.
Fire Department: No representative from the fire department was present to provide a monthly report.
P.E.C.: Nothing new to report for P.E.C.
Park Report: Supervisor Wipper reported that the mulching kit for the lawnmower has arrived and has been installed. He noted that it is working very well and will significantly reduce time spent on fall cleanup—from several weeks of leaf removal down to a single day.
He also stated that he and Mark wrapped several of the young trees in the park to protect them from deer rubbing against the trunks.
Supervisor Demeules reported that he will be attending a meeting at the County regarding Two Inlets Park, where they will review this year’s work and discuss upcoming projects for next year.
Lake Reports:
BLCA: Shelley Alger-Peyton was unable to attend the meeting but submitted an email noting that there was not much to report at this time, as it is a slower part of the year.
T-LID: Barb Aberg reported that the carp project has concluded for the season. They have not yet received all of the final data and information related to the project.
Chairman Ganz noted that Ice Day will be held on February 7th this year.
Approval of Minutes: Supervisor Demeules made a motion to approve the October minutes. Supervisor Wipper seconded, and the motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS: Nothing to report.
NEW BUSINESS: Supervisor Demeules reported that Sherburne County will be turning over ownership of all warning sirens to the townships in 2027. At that time, each township will need to determine whether they wish to continue maintaining and funding the sirens or decommission them. Palmer Township currently has five sirens. The annual maintenance cost is $750 per siren, which does not include the cost of any replacements.
He noted that the hope is to utilize parts from any decommissioned sirens to support those that remain in service. Once usable replacement parts are no longer available, repairs could become significantly more expensive.
Several residents expressed concern about losing emergency alerts, as many still rely on the warning sirens—particularly during severe weather events. Supervisor Demeules stated that this is why the issue is being raised now, and that further discussion will take place at the Annual Meeting, where residents will have the opportunity to vote on how the Township should proceed.
COMMENTS/QUESTIONS:
Supervisor Demeules made a motion to approve claims #25255- #25278, plus Conexus, $48,983.60. Chairman Ganz seconded, and the motion carried.
Chairman Ganz made a motion to adjourn. Supervisor Demeules seconded, and the motion was carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
Amy Bragelman, Palmer Township Clerk, approved as reviewed on December 8th, 2025