The August Monthly Meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Jason Willenbring at 8:00 pm. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present were Dale Lange and Gilbert Bruemmer. The meeting was held using social distancing and Covid 19 recommendations.
The July minutes were read. Dan Stommes made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Duane Janssen gave a financial report with $430,971.43 in the checking account.
RE: Stearns County Sheriff – Deputy Kern was present with reports of activity for the months of May, June and July. He stated that most of the incidents were the usual kind. Discussion was held. The Supervisors stated that they had no special concerns.
RE: Dustcoating – Dustcoating is finished.
RE: Ditch Spraying – Ditch spraying for noxious weeds is in progress. Discussion was held. It was decided to do the spraying a little earlier next year.
RE: Farming Athletic Field – The athletic field has a 911 sign so all is in order.
RE: Albany Fire Department – Dan Stommes gave a report on the Albany Fire Department Meeting. He stated that the new pumper truck is being built and should be done by fall. He also stated that the fire department will be getting a used ladder truck from another fire department. Money from donations and gambling have kept the department in good shape. The Albany Fire Department along with several area departments, Life Link and the Sheriff’s office will be putting on a Farm Safety Demonstration Day on September 11, 2021.
RE: ARPA Grant – The Clerk stated that the SAM registration is in progress.
RE: County Township Officers Board – Duane Janssen gave a report on the Board meeting. He stated one of the concerns was the disposal of solar energy panels.
RE: District 5 Meeting – The Board was reminded of the District 5 Township Meeting on August 19, 2021. Those attending will meet at Trappers at 5:30 pm.
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid:
7021 Stearns Electric monthly electric bill $ 65.08
7022 Star Publications newspaper ads 16.32
7023 COL Fire & Rescue Dist. Qtr 3 fire protection 1,507.21
7024 Midwest Asphalt injection road patch 500.00
7025 Lange Trenching blading 637.00
Total $ 2,725.61
Year-to-date Total $ 168,430.89
At 9:05 pm Dan Stommes made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

The February Monthly Meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Dan Stommes at 8:00 pm in the FCC Board Room. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present were Dewey Klaphake, Deputy Kern and Dan Gondringer. The meeting was held using social distancing and following Covid-19 recommendations.
The January minutes were read. Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
A financial report was given by Duane Janssen with $328,006.77 in the checking account.
RE: Gondringer Plat – Dan Gondringer was present with the final plat. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to approve and sign the plat, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
RE: Sheriff’s Report – Deputy Kern gave a report on activity in the Township. He stated things were relatively quiet and normal.
RE: Hildebrand Trucking – Hildebrand Trucking requested permission to service farms and drive on Township roads during road restriction season. Discussion was held. Dave Robertson made a motion to approve the request, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
RE: Right of Way Resolution – Discussion was held regarding fee amounts for the Right of Way Permit. It was decided to charge $5000 for the first mile and $1000 for each additional mile. This would be refundable after inspection. There would also be a non-refundable $100 inspection fee for each crossing inspection. Dave Robertson will contact Compass Consultants about the decision. The Clerk will also send a letter containing the information.
RE: Road Grants – Discussion was held concerning an application fee for 260th Street. This would be shared with Munson Township. Jason Willenbring made a motion to approve sharing the costs of writing the grant application with Munson Township, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried. A Supervisor will notify Munson Township of the decision.
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid:
6971 Stearns Electric monthly electric bill $ 65.08
6972 M-R Sign road signs 246.84
6973 Sunny Brook Ent. Inc. snowplowing/Jan guarantee 1,300.00
6974 COL Fire & Rescue Qtr 1 2021 fire protection 1,507.21
6975 Wakefield Twp fire debt retirement/fee/interest 5,882.36
Total $ 9,001.49
Year-to-date Total $ 24,772.34
At 9:13 pm Dan Stommes made a motion to recess the monthly board meeting in order to hold the Board of Audit Meeting and the Budget Meeting, Jason Willnebring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

The January monthly meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Dan Stommes at 8:00 pm in the FCC Board Room. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present were Marlene Statz and Dan Gondringer. The meeting was held using social distancing and following Covid-19 recommendations.
The December minutes were read. Jason Willenbring made a motion to accept the minutes as read, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
A financial report was given by Duane Janssen.
RE: Lions Club – Marlene Statz presented an application for a gambling permit for the Lions Club raffle. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to approve the application, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
RE: Gondringer Plat – Dan Gondringer presented a plat for their home. Discussion was held. Jason Willenbring made a motion to approve and sign the plat, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
RE: Road Grants – Discussion was held concerning the availability of road grants. Munson Township and Farming Township are checking into a grant application for 260th Street.
RE: Board of Audit and Budget Meeting – It was decided to hold the Board of Audit and the Budget Meeting along with the February Board Meeting.
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid:
6963 Farming Comm. Center annual rent $ 3,300.00
6964 Stearns Electric monthly electric bill 65.08
6965 Star Publications newspaper ads 80.00
6966 US Treasury medicare/soc.sec. 358.02
6967 Stearns Cty Ass. of Twps. state and county dues 1,094.28
6968 Sunny Brook Ent. Inc. snowplowing/Dec guarantee 2,440.00
6969 MATIT insurance/bond 1,495.00
6970 City of St. Martin 2nd half 2020 fire protection 6,938.47
Total $ 15,770.85
Year-to-date Total $ 15,770.85
At 9:05 pm Jason Willenbring made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Dave Robertson seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

The December monthly meeting of the Farming Township Board was called to order by Dan Stommes at 8:00 pm in the FCC Board Room. The flag pledge was said. All members were present. Also present were Dewey Klaphake, Dale Lange, and Pachan father & daughter to view meeting.
The meeting was held using social distancing and following Covid-19 recommendations.
The November minutes were read. One correction was made – to state CARES funds for the Community Center were for supplies for cleaning and sanitizing. Dave Robertson made a motion to accept the minutes with the correction, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
RE: CARES Fund – The Clerk reported that checks were sent and the final report was made to the State.
RE: Sand Lake Road – It was reported that the necessary repairs were made to the hole in the road.
RE: 2021 Polling Place – Dave Robertson made a motion to designate the Farming Community Center Board Room as the 2021 Polling Place, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
RE: Chain of Lakes Fire District – Jason Willenbring gave a report. He stated there would not be a year-end meeting because of Covid-19. He also reported that the cost of fire protection would go up because of purchases and the fire department has no levy authority, so townships must help support it.
RE: Signs – The Clerk will order new No Parking and DIP signs to replace those stolen.
RE: 223rd – Discussion was held concerning a hole in 223rd Ave – it will be checked into.
The following claims were examined, verified and ordered paid:
6947 Stearns Electric monthly electric bill $ 65.08
6948 Jason Willenbring mileage/culvert inv. 82.36
6949 Dave Robertson supervisor wages 138.52
6950 Jason Willenbring supervisor wages 470.98
6951 Dewey Klaphake zoning adm. wages 110.82
6952 Dewey Klaphake permit fees 138.91
6953 Dan Stommes supervisor wages 207.79
6954 Judy Bruemmer clerk wages 775.70
6955 Judy Bruemmer reimb. supplies/computer 87.84
6956 Duane Janssen treasurer wages 457.14
6957 Farming Township tarring fund CD 100,000.00
6958 COL Fire & Rescue Dist. Qtr 4 fire protection 1,251.42
6959 Stearns Cty. Aud. Treas election ballots 4,903.50
6960 MATIT workman’s comp ins. 342.00
6961 City of St. Martin fire protection 5,864.97
6962 Lange Trenching road repair 186.60/blading 1950 2,136.60
` Total $ 117,033.63
Year-to-date Total $ 495,025.72
At 9:00 pm Dave Robertson made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Jason Willenbring seconded. All in favor, motion carried.