Official Minutes 6-4-2024
The June Monthly Meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Ben Mergen at 8:00 pm. The flag
pledge was said. All members were present. Also present were Gary Hemmesch, Tom Winkels, Charlie Buermann,
Dewey Klaphake, Bryan Rubin, Kimberly Brock, Sherry Rolfes, Lorena Castillo Menk and Carden Mueller Stearns County
Deputy.
The May minutes were read, Dan Stommes made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Jason Willenbring seconded.
All in favor, motion carried.
Treasurer Adam Brix gave a financial report with $535,946.92 in checking, Money Market and one CD. $1,264,594.74 in
CD’s in the tarring fund, for a total of $1,800,541.74 in all accounts. There is one CD coming due, in June and one in July.
Discussion was held. Dan Stommes made a motion to renew each of these CD’s for a 6 month at 5% interest. Jason
Willenbring seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
Lorena Castillo Menk was present to discuss putting some signs up on Fifth Lake Road, she operates a preschool
program called Oak Ridge Nature School on her property, despite the signs already out there on their property, they are
still having problems with speeding and trespassing and was wondering if the township could put a warning sign stating
that there are Children at Play and some other signage to let people know what they need to be aware of as they travel
Fifth Lake Road. Dan Stommes will follow up the Lorena Castillo Menk to discuss what signs should be ordered to help
alleviate some of the issues they are having and order the appropriate signs.
Carden Mueller from the Stearns County Sheriff’s department was present and gave a report of the activity that
happened in Farming Township in January and February of 2024. January there were 15 calls and in February there
were 10 calls.
Kimberly Brock was present to get a preliminary plot signed, as they would like to build a house in Brock Addition.
Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to approve the preliminary plot for Kimberly Brock, Dan
Stommes seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
Regarding going back to in person voting, discussion was held, Tom Winkels has over 20 people who would be willing to
be elections judges, with a few more to be added to the list. Election judge training has not be announced yet.
Brian Rubin from the Farming Sportsman Club was present and gave an update regarding the carp trap on Clear Lake, he
has met with Gary Hemmesch to discuss, it will be put on hold for the time being as weather plays a part in doing this
work.
A concerned citizen was wondering about the trees that are growing in the ditch on 195 th , discussion was held, these
should be taken care of when the road ditches are sprayed for weeds.
Discussion was held regarding the cattle pass on 223 rd Ave by Roger Backes this can be taken out and replaced with a 36”
culvert. This will be coordinated with Gary Hemmesch.
Discussion was held regarding Statz’s issue with pumping Manure, no final determinations were made.
Weed tour should be done before the July meeting.
A map was done up for roads that need dust control and will be coordinated with Gary Hemmesch and Central
Minnesota Dust Control.
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid:
7311 Ben Mergen Supervisor Wages $738.80
7312 Adam Brix Treasurer Wages $554.10
7313 Jason Willenbring Supervisor Wages $1145.14

7314 Dan Stommes Supervisor Wages $1385.25
7315 Linda Theisen Clerk Wages $1177.46
7316 Dewey Klaphake Zoning Admin $249.34
7317 Ben Mergen Mileage Reimb $127.97
7318 Jason Willenbring Mileage Reimb $112.56
7319 Dewey Klaphake Site Permit/Mileage $47.20
7320 Dan Stommes Mileage Reimb $88.44
7321 Stearns County Auditor Assessing Fees $7260.25
7322 Linda Theisen Mileage/paper/comp $211.27
7323 Hemmesch Excavating Class 2/Blading $17,746.60
ACH Arvig Monthly Bill $78.95
ACH Stearns Electric Monthly Bill $57.85

Total $ 30,981.18
Year-to-date Total $ 141,457.16

At 9:34 pm Dan Stommes made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion
carried.