Burnhamville Township board held a special meeting on July 16, 2024 at 7 pm in the Burtrum Community Center. The meeting was called to order by Chair Mike Berscheit. Board members present included Mike Berscheit, Bruce Johnson, Joe Muellner and Shirley Hulinsky. Others present included Loren Fellbaum, Todd Co Public Works; Kasen Christiansen, Todd Co SWCD; Jeremy Freudenrich, Gary Opatz, Jordy Opatz, Steve Brown, Lorna Lemke, Gerald Lemke, Nancy Hougenhous, John Hougenhous, Tracy Zimmerich on behalf of Forbergs, Ruth Purkapile, Dennis M. & Cathy Miller, Jennifer Meier, Scott Hoium, Karen Ness, Jean DeZeeuw.
Sup. Mike Berscheit stated the purpose of the special meeting was to get information to the board, residents and land owners on costs of possible improvements on Dunlin Road and gather input from residents and land owners.
Loren Fellbaum from Todd County Public Works spoke about the road including the description, size and maintenance stating that the road is in very good shape. He presented a handout detailing five options for improvements. First option is dust control the whole road, which is what is being done now. Second option is a three inch lift of recycled asphalt. Third option is a three inch asphalt surfacing. The fourth option includes a three and a half inch asphalt surfacing. Fifth option includes three and a half inch asphalt topping with curb and gutter in some areas. Options 3,4,5 would be a seven ton design. Township would also need to cut trees and clean ditches for these improvements. If new asphalt was done the township would have to hire an engineer and administrator to handle the design and paper work of doing sealed public bids. The costs given in the hand outs were estimates and he estimates adding 4% each year to these estimates. He also warned residents traffic will travel faster on the improved roads.
The township would have to take out a loan to do the project. The cost of the project can be put on residents’ taxes over a period time, such as 10 years. The board will need to decide how to split costs among lots. If someone owns more lots, they may have to pay a share for each lot. This will be configured later.
Todd County Soil & Water Conservation District representative Kasen Christiansen discussed Long Lake is a high priority to keep clean. The asphalt will increase speed of run off. SWCD suggest changing grade of road 3% to funnel water toward catch basin. There may be funding to help with costs for catch basin.
Questions included: Road restrictions will be for 7 ton, but residents are concerned about semis and heavy equipment. Township would be responsible for potholes and other repairs. Life expectancy of asphalt is 20 years and recycled material is approximately 7-8 years. Weight and speed restrictions were discussed, however this area is already posted at 30 MPH. Speed bumps are discouraged as they are loud and liability issues of car damages. Resident commented that dust control not sprayed as wide this year, Loren commented usually it bleeds to edges, but rain can affect the quality of spray.
Maintenance of catch basin was discussed. Township has plans to clean it out, but it is actually on private property and need to get owner’s permission and good weather to do it.
If asphalt was done residents will have to raise their driveways at their own costs.
One resident questioned why do asphalt or is there a problem that needs to get fixed. Board commented there is not a specific problem but that some residents commented on control of dust and improve appearance.
How does this go forward? Board will decide at next meeting, possibly do a survey of land owners. Township would need to explain costs to land owners not at hearing. Public financer or hired administrator/engineer to evaluate costs including loan expenses.
Run off concerns were discussed and stated that anything added to the road will contribute to run off.
Can road be widened for walkers? Loren stated that costs will be tripled for extra engineering and purchasing more land.
Speed concerns especially with all-terrain vehicles on nice road.
If do dust control, can we have all residents pay instead of just some?
Resident asked about grants. Loren stated there are two ways to apply for grants to fix up local roads. First requires access to state park or camp ground, but this does not apply here. Second is Local Road Improvement Program from the state, however this is not a high priority road so low chance to get grant.
Resident asked if erosion on road can be delt with separately. SWCD stated that crush concrete helps. Gravel next to curb will not work as gravel will plug up culvert. SWCD can look at more options.
Opinions of need vary. It was suggested that less than 50% of landowners were year-round residents.
The township board wants to know the opinion of land owners so they will send out survey to better understand wants of land owners.
Sup. Berscheit adjourned the meeting at 8:05 pm.
Shirley Hulinsky, Burnhamville Township Clerk
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