Draft- Unapproved
Garfield Town Board – Annual Meeting
April 8, 2014
Present: Chairman: Ed Gullickson
Clerk: Sue Knutson
Residents/Citizens: 11
Meeting called to orderby Chairman, Ed Gullickson, at 7:00 pm.
Minutes of last annual meeting: Motion made by Dave Nelson/Ron Elmer to approve annual town minutes as submitted. Carried-unanimously.
Annual Statement: 2013 Annual Statement (attached) was explained by Gullickson and discussed.
No questions or comments.
Motion made by Dave Nelson/Ron Elmer to approve the 2013 Annual Statement as submitted. Carried-unanimously.
DOG Fire Association: Gullickson stated that part of Alden is joining the Dog Fire Association. Equalization value is at $900 million, one of the largest in the state. In approximately five years a new station will be established in Alden on Old Dump Road. Alden will be purchasing the property on which it will be established. Don Mork asked about Alden’s previous experience with the Amery Fire Department.
Mark Knutson, assistant fire chief, submitted information on the amount runs for 2013 between the two departments (Garfield and Dresser). Total runs were 255 (104 fire runs, 151 medical runs). Knutson also stated that Garfield is having their Mother’s Day pancake breakfast again this year. Dresser is holding a spaghetti dinner again this year on Saturday, April 12 from 3p-7p. Money is being used on outfitting the new rescue boat. The Fire Association purchased a new brush truck. The departments have 14 vehicles to use for runs.
Knutson reminded residents to follow the procedures in order to burn. Burning permits are perpetual but would like to remind residents again to follow the procedures. The Fire Department is always looking for new volunteers.
Ambulance: Ambulance services are facing challenges with costs.
Gopher Bounty: Motion made by Don Mork/Orval Johnson to keep gopher bounty at $3.00 per tail, no bounty on stripe gopher tails. Carried-unanimously.
Road Work: Rene Pelletier commented on the good job that was done on snowplowing this year. Don Mork asked if the Town heard what other towns paid out for contracted snowplowing; Gullickson stated they paid considerably more.
Ron Elmer asked if the Town is in the process of inquiring a maintenance shop building. Gullickson stated that the Town is in the process of obtaining the land to keep equipment.
Park: The park costs the Town approximately $10,000 after expenses and income. Park is heavily used between the boat launch and shelter rentals. Town has received many complements regarding the park, one was as far away as Iowa.
Animal Control Officer: Dan Hooverman is the Town’s Animal Control Officer. Dan takes care of dog calls that the Town receives in a timely fashion.
Adjourn: Motion made by Dan Elmer/Don Mork to adjourn meeting, 8:00 pm. Carried-unanimously.
Submitted by: Sue Knutson, Clerk