Greenwood residents approve up to $5,000 to host 40th anniversary party in August
TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2018 — About 40 Greenwood Township residents gathered at 8:15 p.m. on Tuesday to conduct the township’s annual meeting. This meeting, unlike regular town Board of Supervisors meetings, is the people’s meeting. Residents conduct the meeting and set the township’s 2019 budget, levy and give direction to the township’s elected officials for the next year.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag, Greenwood residents began the process of selecting a moderator. Three nominations for moderator were made from the floor. Mike Indihar, Mike Ralston and Jeff Maus were placed into nomination to fill that job. Following a brief discussion in which someone noted that the Minnesota Association of Townships operating guidelines suggests to avoid selecting a township official as moderator. Township Clerk Sue Drobac told township residents that while avoiding an elected official was indeed suggested, it is not prohibited and Ralston could serve as the moderator. Supervisor Ralston, however, declined to serve and voting commenced to select one of the two candidates for moderator.
Paper ballots were cast with 28 votes cast for Indihar and 13 votes were cast for his competitor, Maus.
Indihar took a seat at the head table and commenced addressing the many items on the agenda, first by calling for a motion to accept the agenda as presented by the town clerk. Unanimous approval for accepting the agenda was quickly provided by the residents. Unanimous approval was also given to conduct the meeting utilizing an abbreviated form of the Robert’s Rules of Order. Residents also gave their unanimous approval to accepting the 2017 annual meeting minutes as presented by Clerk Drobac.
A copy of all the previous year’s receipts and disbursements was provided to residents at the onset of the meeting and the reading of these financial documents was waived by a unanimous vote.
Township Treasurer Pam Rodgers gave a short presentation on the 2017 disbursements made by the township. Just over $351,723 was spent by Greenwood in 2017. This amount reflects a reduction of $167,724 in expenses incurred by the township over the $517,616 spent in 2016.
Greenwood receipted only $97,012 in 2017, over $177,535 less than it did in 2016, largely because township voters approved a $150,000 levy, less than the amount budgeted for the year, as a move to reduce the township’s reserves which topped a million dollars in 2013. By the end of 2017 the township reduced its ending fund balances to $761,855. The township plans to further reduce its fund balances until it reaches a balance of approximately one-half of its annual expenses. Township officials and most residents are in agreement that Greenwood Township would be on solid financial ground utilizing that formula for its reserves. Lee Peterson noted that Greenwood does not have a lot infrastructure, like some townships with a lot of roadways, water and septic treatment systems which could require more significant funds in reserve.
A motion to accept the Treasurer’s report was approved by township voters without any dissent.
The township supervisors and Chairman Dr. John Bassing gave reports on their individual activities as township board supervisors over the past year.
Chairman Bassing gave a report on the board’s proposed $297,300 2019 budget. One of the highest increases in the budget is slated to fund the township’s highways, streets and roadways account as the town board believes it would best spend the extra money on resurfacing the town hall and fire hall parking lots. The budget also reflects a considerable reduction in recreation facilities expense because the pavilion is now complete. Although these funds largely came from donations, township accounts were utilized to manage the monies. Bassing also asked township residents to approve another $150,000 levy for 2019 and reported that the town board expects that the township can further reduce its year-end fund balance to an estimated $576,000 by year-end 2019.
The township set the time, and date of the 2019 Greenwood annual Meeting for Tuesday, March 12, 2019, at 8:15 p.m. The meeting will be conducted at the Greenwood Town Hall.
Two motions, one approving the 2019 budget, and one approving the levy were approved by township residents without any dissent.
Following the conclusion of the township’s financial business, moderator Indihar entertained comments about concerns from township citizens. Marilyn Mueller read from prepared statements in which she chastised township employees for pursuing their own agendas and encouraged training for town board members Mueller reminded everyone that township employees “work for We the people.” She also said that she wanted to have the township implement a demerit system where employees (presumably elected officials) are formally reprimanded, with a “three strikes and you’re out” paradigm.
Jeff Maus suggested, and made a motion, to recommend that the town board avail itself of readily available training. This motion also passed without any dissent from township residents.
The Vermilion Penguins are working with St. Louis county to acquire 10 acres of tax forfeit land on which it hopes to build a workshop for the club’s grooming equipment. Bev Peterson asked to have someone update residents on this project. Indihar and Ralston provided the update noting that the snowmobile club was going to purchase the land, at market value, rather than politicize the project with township involvement. Plans are underway to have State Senator David J. Tomassoni carry the proposal to the senate and obtain authorization to permit the club to purchase 10 acres of state owned land.
Greenwood residents also discussed funding for the proposed Greenwood Township 40th anniversary celebration scheduled to be held at the town hall on August 25. Approval was quickly given to authorizing a budget up-to $5,000 to pay for the free picnic event.