Friday, March 29th, 2024 Church Directory

Lake updates dominate Palmer agenda

The Palmer Twp. Board met Monday evening, with a pair of lake-related updates dominating the substantial agenda. 

Big Elk Park

Supervisor Steve Demeules updated those in attendance on the work of the Big Elk Lake committee, a group that is meeting monthly to help guide the development of the new Sherburne County park that is being established on the northern shores of the lake.

Demeules is serving as the Palmer Twp. representative, while the group includes Commissioner Gary Gray, county staff and representatives from several Native American cultural groups.

The county closed on the property at the beginning of December 2022 and because it is tied to grant funds, it must be open in some capacity within one year.

The park is yet to be named, but could include references to the Native American groups, as well as the late Howard Weise, the most recent owner of the parcel.

According to Demeules, 23 buildings (most of which will be torn down or recycled) must be addressed, as well as a former dump, prairie grass establishment and walking paths/observation platforms (no development of the lakeshore is expected).

Water Quality

Lake guru Walt Munsterman presented his annual report, exploring the health of the four lakes in the township, as well as plans for further testing and monitoring of several important items.

He explained that in the past two years, phosphorous levels on the lakes have spiked in mid-July and this is problematic because this nutrient is what promotes algae growth in the water.

Numerous water quality tests are done from spring until fall, and water depth clarity is also monitored using a Secchi disk.

Diminished water quality can have a deleterious effect on property and home values on the lake, while out of control algae blooms can make the water hazardous for summer activities.

Munsterman noted that the peak in phosphorous comes on all the lakes just several weeks after the 4th of July, a typical high point for boat and watercraft usage on the waters.

A study conducted several years ago basically excluded agriculture as the reason for the high levels, and it is widely believed that the stirring of sediment on the lake bottom is largely responsible for releasing stored phosphorous into the water.

Larger boats, higher horsepower engines and the use of wake boats on shallow waters are all being studied statewide as potential sources of the trouble.  Incorrect usage of Aqua Thrusters can also disturb the lake bottom, exacerbating the issue.

Munsterman talked of the benefits of Alum (aluminum phosphate) treatments for the bottom of the lakes, however they are extremely expensive.

The Briggs Lake Chain Association is looking at the possibility of conducting core samples of the lake beds to determine how much phosphorous is stored in the soils under the water.

Munsterman concluded his presentation by thanking the board for their cooperation and also outlining steps that need to be taken to educate the public about items such as lawn irrigation that can have impacts on the water quality.

Signs

For several months, Supervisor Richard Larson has been on a mission to find a common sense solution for slowing down traffic driving through town on Co. Rd. 6.

To that end, he has met with county officials and recently struck a deal to have driver feedback signs installed on each end of the “main drag” that would alert drivers to their current speed.

After brief discussion about the placement and configuration of the signs, Larson motioned and received unanimous approval to spend up to $12,000 of the township’s available ARPA funding on the project.

In Other Business, the Board:

• Heard Commander Ben Zawacki report on January’s calls for service, 98, as well as the Sheriff’s Office Annual Report.  Palmer’s overall crime rate remains low and the call volume from 2022 (1,146) was five fewer than in 2021. Most serious criminal activity categories are steady or declining, while Criminal Damage to Property calls were up slightly (11 total);

• Approved favorable comment for an IUP for a home-based business on 42nd St., in the former Hair on Briggs building;

• Solidified plans to call for bids in March for a pair of culvert replacements and road bed enhancements on 109th Ave. and 42nd St,;

• Reminded those in attendance of the Annual Meeting scheduled for March 14th at 8:01 p.m. after the township election.  Supervisor Richard Larson chose not to file for another term and Mitch Wipper is running unopposed for that open seat.