Unofficial Minutes 02-04-2026
The February Monthly Meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Dan Stommes at 8:00pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present . Also present were John Blenker, Dale Lange, Dan Rea, Leo Gerads, Dewey Klaphake, Rich Rothstein and Officer Carden Mueller from the Stearns County Sheriffs Office.
The January minutes were read, Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes as read. Dan Stomemes seconded it. All in favor, motion carried.
Treasurer Robyn Brinkman gave a treasures report with $712,222.12 in checking, Money Market and one operating CD. $1,511,279.31 in tarring fund CD’s for a total of $2,223,501.43. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to renew the CD that is coming due on February 10,2026 for the best rate possible, Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
Dan Rea was present to request liquor licenses for the Farming Baseball Club, the licenses would be valid for the period of April 10 2026 to October 09 2026. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to approve a on site Wine License for the baseball park and 3.2 Percent malt liquor license for the softball park. Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
Dale Lange was present to obtain a signature on the final plat of parcel 10.06208.0008. When presented Dan Stommes and Linda Theisen both signed.
Rich Rothstein was present to discuss what can be done with the culvert on Manannah Road. Discussion was held. It will be looked at as part of the road tour in April.
Officer Mueller gave a report of activity in Farming Township, there were 12 calls in January and 9 calls in February. They were routine calls, nothing out of the ordinary.
Absentee ballot board, Discussion was held Ben Mergen made a motion to appoint Linda Theisen and Tom Winkels to the absentee ballot board. Jason Willenbring seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
Annual election and meeting, discussion was held if the election and annual meeting need to be cancelled in case of inclement weather. Jason Willenbring made a motion to move the annual meeting on the third Tuesday of March should the second Tuesday be cancelled due to inclement weather. If the third Tuesday does not work, then the annual election and meeting be moved to the fourth Tuesday. Ben Mergen seconded it. All in favor motion carried.
At 8:40 pm Jason Willenbring made a motion to recess the regular meeting to do the Board of Audit and Budget meetings, Ben Mergen seconded it. All in favor, motion carried

Break.   See Board of Audit and Budget Meeting Minutes posted seperately.

At 9:35 Dan Stommes called the regular meeting back to order
Millwood Transport, Stevens Transport and Krain Transport had presented a request to travel on Farming Township roads while road restrictions were in place. Discussion was held. Ben Mergen made a motion to allow Millwood Transport, Stevens Transport and Krain Transport to transport agriculture goods on Farming township roads with a maximum speed of 30 mph, while road restrictions are in place. Jason Willenbring seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
Getting a printer for the Treasurer. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to allow Robyn Brinkman purchase a printer for the township with a budget of under one thousand dollars ($1000), Ben Mergen seconded it, all in favor, motion carried.
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid
7463 Sunnybrook Enterprises Monthly guarantee/snow removal $3625.00
7464 Total Agri-Business Services Prepare W2’ and 1099’s /postage $170.70
7465 Chain of Lakes Fire Protection $1903.63
ACH Stearns Electric Monthly electric bill $65.31
ACH Arvig Monthly Bill internet $77.70
Total $ 5,842.34
Year-to-date Total $ 16,918.25
At 9:50 pm Ben Mergen made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Jason Willenbring seconded it. All in favor, motion carried.
Note: The meeting date was changed to Wednesday night instead of Tuesday night because of precinct caucuses.