Year: 2023

Annual Town Meeting Minutes 2022

March 8, 2022 at 8:15 p.m.

Mary Hellman, Clerk called the Annual Town meeting to order and welcomed the attending residents.  Pledge of Allegiance was said by all.

Mary called for a nomination of a Moderator for the meeting. Gary Mantay motioned to nominate Rod Saline.  Sue Forbragd seconded the motion. Mary called out two more times, no more nominations were made. Rod was voted in by a voice vote of all ayes, no nays. Passed.

Rod Saline announced the meeting agenda.  No questions.

2022 Town Supervisor Election Results – Election Judge Sue Forbragd announced the results of the election for the 3-year Supervisor term.  Janet Keough received 40 votes, Bill Bailey received 10 votes. (2 other ballots were voided as they had 2 votes per ballot.) Jan won the election.

Review /Approval pf the previous year’s minutes (as posted prior to meeting).  Linda Britton made a motion to accept 2021 Annual Meeting Minutes, Sue Forbragd seconded.  The motion passes with a unanimous voice vote of all ayes, no nays. Passed.

Reading of 2021 Board of Audit and Financial Reports(as posted prior to meeting) by Treasurer Donna Elsbury.  The floor was open for questions asked and answered.

Road Report from Gary Mantay, Road Supervisor -North Star continues to maintain East and West Briar Lake Drives.  Plowing, brushing, grading, and gravel came at the cost of $3467.00 in 2021.  The 2021 tax levy income for the road was $4589.90.  Town Aide was $1751,46.  Interest earning was $6.13.  2022 – the budget is $7500.00, with increase in costs of $2800.00 for gravel laid by the bus turn around.  Gary confirmed that yes, they are planning to do this, along with a new culvert in this area.

Proposed 2023 Levy

• General:  Motion to approve by Linda Britton, second by Sue Forbragd. Vote: all ayes, no nays.  Approved.
• Road and Bridge:  Motion to approve by Sue Forbragd, seconded by Ray Barnes.  Vote: all ayes, no nays.  Approved.
• Fire/EMS: Motion to approve by Sue Forbragd, second by Jan Keough. Vote: all ayes, no nays. Approved.
• Building:  Motion to approve by Sue Forbragd, seconded by Linda Britton. Discussion regarding expenses, the increased was due to new WiFi costs, and increase in insurance and propane costs. Vote: all ayes, no nays.  Approved.

2022 Annual Town Meeting Minutes (Continued)

Fire/EMS Report – Rory Blazevic, Fire Chief.  Rory stated that it has been relatively quiet recently.  They had a busier dry spring with wildfires to which the department responded mutually in the Finland area.  Membership is down by 5 members, so Rory is putting a call out to interested people to stop in during a meeting.  Meetings are 1^st and 3^rd Wednesdays at 6 pm, all are welcome.  They also need a grant writer position filled, if interested contact Rory.  Lastly, the department is looking forward to having the Pancake Breakfast again this spring.

The Communication Report was given by Jan Keough.  She gave the history of the need for a Communication Committee which was then formed in 2019 and listed what has happened in the interim.  There is a NEW Township Website at NORTHSTARMN.NET, on which our Township information and business is available. The platform was created by a local resident, is at a reasonable cost, and is user-friendly. Some of the areas on the website provides a calendar, access to contacting Town Board Members, Town Business (Board Meeting Minutes and Financial Information), land use information, and more.  The North Star ENewsletter continues to be a quarterly online publication which is accessible through the Website.  In the works:  a hand out area which would have information for new residents such as what services are available in our area, how to get burning permits, and other areas of interest/suggestions from our community.

Other business – Tentative date for Local Board of Appeal & Equalization Review for North Star Township Area: May 10, 2022 at 3-4 pm at North Star Town Hall.

Motion by Gary Mantay to set the date, time and location for the next annual meeting on the second Tuesday of March: March 14, 2023, 8:00 pm at North Star Hall. (Alternative date March 21, 2023).  Linda Britton seconds. Vote: All ayes, no nays, Passed.

Motion to adjourn at 8:45 pm made by Ray Barnes, Gary Mantay seconds.  Vote: All ayes, no nays. Passed.

Minutes Respectfully Submitted,

Mary Hellman, Clerk

Board Meeting Minutes   

TOWN OF NORTH STAR                 Date- 01/17/2023

ATTENDENCE – Supervisors- Dick Dillon, Jan Keough, Gary Mantay. Donna Elsbury, Treasurer, and Mary Hellman, Clerk. Guests: Denise Anderson, Linda Britton. 

CALL TO ORDER, WELCOME, and PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Dick

DECEMBER 2022 MINUTES – Review and Board approval; Dick made a motion to accept the minutes with corrections, Gary seconded the motion. Vote: all -ayes, motion passed.

 SHORT TERM RENTALS – Short Term Rental Property, Committee Report – Denise Anderson brought a Moratorium and Resolution created by the Committee to discuss with the board and request a vote.  Discussion by the Town Board followed.  A motion was made by Jan Keough to accept the Moratorium and Resolution #1. A second was made Gary Mantay.  The Vote: Dick Dillon – aye, Gary Mantay – aye, Jan Keough – aye.  Motion passed.  Clerk to send a letter to St. Louis Co. informing them of these actions.

DECEMBER 2022 PAYROLL AND CLAIMS – After review, Gary made a motion to accept this payroll and claims list. Jan seconded the motion. Vote: Jan – aye, Gary -aye, Dick – aye.  Motion passed.

FINANCIAL REPORT – Donna

TRANSFER – Donna reported the ARPA Transfer amount of $1378.10

for checks #8503 – #8512.   EFTs / PERA – $54.00_, IRS 4Q – $827.44.   Leaves balance of $300.00 in checking account.

TREASURER COMMENTS – Donna had no additional comments.

CLERK COMMENTS – March Election update: Jan. 17^th, 2023 at 5 pm (today) is the last day for candidates to apply for Township Supervisor. Election is March 14^th.  Postings were hung, and notices will be posted in the North Star E-Newsletter. North Star Town Hall is the approved place for up-coming election.  We will not be using the DS200 for the local election as we are under 500 residents.  Mary provided a list of election judges that were available to chose from for the election which was accepted by the board for upcoming election. Motion to accept by Gary, 2^nd by Dick. Vote: all ayes.  

CORRESPONDENCE – St. Louis County Sheriff sent inquiry regarding a visit by Deputy to Board Meeting(s).  Discussion by board showed no interest at this time, to be tabled and revisited as needed.  Gary will mention this to the fire department.

Department of Health – Information sent regarding the THC (Canabis derivative) sales. None in North Star Township.  Also, a poster was included about the health benefits/risks.

RECYCLING – Jan stated 2022 Report for WLSSD is due on February 28, 2023.  Donna is preparing this yearly list of disbursements.    

WEBPAGE/COMMUNICATIONS REPORT – Jan stated there is a E-news letter for January.

FIRE DEPARTMENT – Rory/Gary – 2 calls in the last month. There are 1.5 years remaining to spend ARPA Funds for FD equipment needed for firefighters.  

MAINTENANCE – Dick stated the request for snow shovel and floor mat are complete.  Also, Dick and Gary checked on the Generac generator. There was an issue with oil pressure.

NEW BUSINESS – The Township needs to push back large snowbank in our parking area. Dick made a motion to hire someone with a piece of heavy equipment, such as a dozer, to take care of this.  Discussion followed.  Gary seconded the motion. Vote: Jan – aye, Gary – aye, Dick – aye. Motion passed. 

ROADS – Gary reported that the roads are in poor condition, ice and snow covered. Very slippery.

REVIEW OF DUTIES – Gary or Donna will check with Bob Anderson, or Tony Thomas to see if either would have the time/equipment to move large banks back in parking area.

Clerk to send letter to SLC regarding Short Term Rentals.  Donna to work with Jan regarding WLSSD report.

UPCOMING EVENTS –

January 24, 2023 Financial Records Audit at 6:30 p.m.

February 13, 2024 Budget Meeting at 6:30 p.m.

February 21, 2023 Next Regular Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m.

March 14, 2023 Annual Township Election 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

And Annual Town Meeting after Election at 8:15 p.m.

March 21, 2023 Town Re-Organizational Mtg and Town Board Mtg to follow at 6:30 p.m.

To Be Determined – Well water testing at hall with Bruce Olsen

ADJOURNMENT – A motion was made by Gary and seconded by Jan to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 pm. All ayes.

Minutes respectfully submitted,

Mary Hellman, Clerk

TOWN OF NORTH STAR

12/20/2022 at 6:30 pm, North Star Hall              

CALL TO ORDER, WELCOME, AND PLEDGE OF ALLGIANCE –   DICK, 6:30 pm

ATTENDING – Supervisors Dick Dillon, Gary Mantay, Janet Keough, Deputy Treasurer Ray Barnes, Clerk Mary Hellman, and FD Chief Rory Blazevic. Absent: Treasurer Donna Elsbury

NOVEMBER MINUTES REVIEW AND APPROVAL – Motion to accept by Jan, second by Gary. Vote: All ayes. 

 FINANCIAL REPORT

REVIEW AND APROVE NOVEMBER 2022 PAYROLL AND CLAIMS –Motion by Gary to accept payroll and claims.  Second by Dick. Vote: Gary – aye, Dick -aye. Jan – aye.

TRANSFER – Ray  

Transfer – Ray reported the Transfer amount of  $1347.83 for checks #8488 – 8502,      EFT PERA AMOUNT OF $_54.00_,  and Checkbook balance – $300.00.

TREASURER COMMENTS – Donna left message with Mary to ask about a credit statement from MacQueen Emergency Billing.  Rory and Ray both responded it can be a credit back into that account. Mary to let Donna know.

CLERK COMMENTS – Mary reported a request to have a shovel by the Hall door and a mat on the floor in the entrance.  A discussion resulted in Rory offering to bring an extra mat from the Fire Hall to use in the entrance and Dick made a motion to purchase a shovel to be kept by the door. Gary seconded this motion. Vote: Jan – aye, Dick – aye, Gary -aye.  Rory brought the mat in and put it in place at the meeting.  Mary will buy the shovel.

CORRESPONDENCE – A notice was sent to all townships from MAT that there will be $2000 Scholarships made available to HS Juniors in 2023. More information will be available in the January North Star E-newsletter per Jan.

FIRE DEPARTMENT – Rory reported no calls this month.  The FD held 2023 Elections for officers at the November 16^th Meeting.  The elected officers stayed the same, with Rory as Fire Chief. The Town Board accepted the election results with a vote of all ayes.  Rory will be checking on which FD members need fire gear/equipment because there are ARPA funds designated for this. The next FD Meeting will be on December 21, 2022.

MAINTENANCE –The hall generator did not come on during a power shortage; Dick will look into it.  The FD was asked if they would shovel snow around the generator. Jimmy T. was also asked if he could occasionally shovel around the generator. Gary made a motion to increase the amount for plowing out the FD/Hall to $75/ per time, Dick seconded. Vote: Gary – aye, Dick – aye, Jan – aye.  The 2022-2023 Contract needs to be updated with the new details.

RECYCLING – Jan attended the WLSSD meeting. She requested the Recycling Financial Report from the treasurer. The Deadline is the end of February. All is going fine.

WEBPAGE / E-NEWS COMMUNICATIONS REPORT – Jan stated that the e-Newsletter will be sent out in January.

ROADS – Gary reported that the township road was graded.  The township received a note from the county that the township road needed brushing per the contract.  Gary checked the road and reported it was recently brushed.  He’ll call Kelly at the county clear this up.

WEEDS Report – Jan asked if the Weed Inspector Annual Report is done and sent in.  Yes, the report was completed by Tim on November 5^th, signed, and sent into the county.

See report included.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

SHORT TERM RENTALS – No members of the North Star Short Term Rentals Committee attended the meeting so the topic was tabled until later.  They will have info for the Board at the next meeting.

WELL WATER TESTING – Bruce Olsen did not attend this meeting so the topic was tabled until later.

REVIEW OF DUTIES – Mary to check with Donna on the deadline for using ARPA funds. Jan requested the Recycling Financial Report from Donna by the end of February.

UPCOMING MEETINGS/EVENTS WERE SCHEDULED AT HALL:

TOWN BOARD REGULAR MTG – Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.

TOWN AUDIT MTG – Tuesday, January 24^th, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.

TOWN BUDGET MTG – Monday, February 13^th 2023, at 6:30 p.m.

TOWN BOARD REGULAR MTG – February 21^st, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.

TOWNSHIP ELECTION –March 14^th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

TOWNSHIP CANVAS MTG TO FOLLOW ELECTION AT 8:00 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.

TOWNSHIP ANNUAL MTG TO FOLLOW AT 8:15 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT – There was a motion to adjourn the board meeting at 7:40pm by Jan, seconded by Gary. All ayes.

Minutes respectfully submitted,

Mary Hellman, Clerk

TOWN OF NORTH STAR

11/15/2022          

CALL TO ORDER, WELCOME, AND PLEDGE OF ALLGIANCE –   DICK, 6:30 pm

ATTENDING – Supervisors Dick Dillon, Gary Mantay, Janet Keough, Treasurer Donna Elsbury, Deputy Treasurer Ray Barnes, Clerk Mary Hellman, and FD Asst. Chief Gary Mantay.  Guests: Sue Forbragd, Denise Anderson, Bruce Olsen 

October 2022 MINUTES REVIEW AND APPROVAL – Motion to accept with corrections by Jan, second by Gary.  Vote: All ayes.   

REVIEW AND APROVE OCTOBER 2022 PAYROLL AND CLAIMS –Motion by Jan to accept payroll and claims.  Second by Gary. Vote: Jan – aye, Gary – aye. Dick – aye.

TRANSFER – DONNA  

Transfer – Donna reported the Transfer amount of $18,337.61 for checks  #8467 – #8486.  PERA AMOUNT OF $_54.00_, and checkbook balance – $300.00.

FINANCIAL REPORT

TREASURER COMMENTS – DONNA 

• Checked the payment amount of $12,743.00 for the fire truck and it was correct. This is reflected in the transfer.

CLERK COMMENTS – MARY

• Clerk reports She and Donna attended the training offered by MATT on Nov. 2^nd, 2022 at Ellsburg Town Hall (Melrude), regarding End of Year procedures for clerks and treasurers. They found it very valuable and will be able to use the information presented at the meeting.
• The clerk thanked Donna and Jan for providing lunch and treats for the election judges during the recent election. It helped make the long day go very well!

CORRESPONDENCE – Bruce Olson arrived somewhat late to the meeting but will return to December’s board meeting to review results from this year’s Well Water Testing. Would like to discuss doing another testing in 2023.

FIRE DEPARTMENT – Gary reported there was one medical call this month.

MAINTENANCE – Dick

• Dick reported the door stop has been replaced.
• Mosquito Squad – The Board discussed the use of a mosquito control at the Hall in 2023.   Donna would need to submit payment this month to lock in the price. A motion was made by Jan to continue to retain the Mosquito Squad’s services the coming year (4 treatment pkg). Gary seconded. Vote: Jan, Gary ayes, Dick – nay. The motion passed.

RECYCLING – Jan reported there is nothing new, all is going well.

WEBPAGE / E-NEWS COMMUNICATIONS REPORT – Jan reported an e-Newsletter went out. She will check to see how many people are receiving the e-News. Also, the Website Domain and plugins were updated in a timely manner. 

ROADS – Gary reported that the township roads are snow covered and slippery.

NEW BUSINESS – Sue Forbragd, an election judge, wanted to let the board know that a gentlemen came into vote at the recent election who uses a wheelchair. He had no problems but she was concerned.  She was wondering if it would be helpful if the hall entrance door would have cracks filled for safety.  The board felt that this would be a good thing, along with a sign stating there is access through the front fire door and “If Assistance Is Needed Please Knock.”

UNFINISHED BUSINESS –

SHORT TERM RENTALS (STR) – Denise represented the Citizen’s Committee and presented a report for the board regarding what they found out regarding STR.  There will be a vote by the board in December on a Moratorium to cease any new STRs starting in North Star Township for one year.

REVIEW OF DUTIES – Gary will call the Mosquito Squad to say our board approved their offer. They need to start the treatments the week of MAY 22^nd before the weekend of Memorial Weekend so it’s done in time for the Pancake Breakfast event. Donna will cut a check for this.

UPCOMING EVENTS –

NEXT TOWN BOARD MEETING – December 20, 2022 AT 6:30 PM AT NS HALL

ADJOURNMENT – There was a motion to adjourn the board meeting at 7:45 pm by Jan, seconded by Gary. All ayes.

Minutes respectfully submitted,

Mary Hellman, Clerk