Regular Meeting January 9, 2025. Present: Supervisors; Donald Fix, Dean Bondeson, Treasurer Craig Betsinger, Clerk Val Anderson, Steve Hass, Absent: John Shockman. Don called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Minutes of the last meeting were approved as printed, Motion by Fix, seconded and carried. Treasurer’s reports received
January reorganization: Elected John Shockman as Chair and Don Fix as Vice-chair. Set 2025 Mileage at the Federal rate of 70 cents per mile. Raised the Driveway permit fee to $300.00. Isanti County News submitted the same rates and last year which includes free publication in the Scotsman.
OLD BUSINESS: Paid Recurring yearly Ballfield rent of $300.
NEW BUSINESS: Start 2026 Budget
Checks 7578-7584 , ACH 635-637 were approved, Receipts: 626-628 Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m with motion by Fix, seconded and carried.
Regular Meeting February 6. 2025. Present: Supervisors; John Shockman, Donald Fix, Dean Bondeson was present by phone, Treasurer Craig Betsinger, Clerk Val Anderson, Steve Hass, other residents. John called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Minutes of the last meeting were approved as printed, Motion by Shockman, seconded and carried. Treasurer’s reports received
The 2024 Board of audit was held: After reviewing the books, a Motion by Shockman, seconded by Fix and carried to approve and sign the 2024 Receipts and Disbursements Audit Report. Year End Reports completed: Township Road Mileage Certification; PERA Exclusion; Noxious Weed Report; State Report of Outstanding Indebtedness; MATIT Workers’ Compensation Audit Report; W-2/1099; Office of the State Auditor Annual Financial Reporting Form, SAFES, Census Boundary Annexation Form, 2024 Road Work Report
OLD BUSINESS: Worked on the 2026 budget. We are still waiting for costs of the new Fire Truck.
NEW BUSINESS: Road bids were received from Dawn Hass Construction and Dale Becklin and a Mowing bid was received from Bakkens Lawncare. After consideration a motion by Shockman, seconded by Fix and carried to accept the bid for Dawn Hass Construction for 2025-26 road maintenance and to accept the bid from Dale Becklin for as needed services, and the bid from Bakkens Lawncare for mowing services.
We will keep the Board of Equalization here at the township hall.
Motion by Shockman, seconded by Fix and carried to make a policy correction to include any new driveways that are off of a county or state highway will be charged the $150.00 911 address fee which will include the locate, and installation of the 911 address sign and post.
Jenny Bendickson, a local resident, would like to donate a book stand for a lending library at the townhall. She would do all the upkeep and would like to place it along the fence. Motion by Shockman, seconded by Bondeson and carried to allow a freestanding library bookstand to be installed at the township hall. There may also be a picnic table that would be donated for the town hall park area.
Checks 7585-7592, ACH 638-640 were approved, Receipts: 629-634
Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m with motion by Shockman, seconded and carried.
Regular Meeting March 6, 2025. Present: Supervisors; John Shockman, Donald Fix, Dean Bondeson, Treasurer Craig Betsinger, Clerk Val Anderson, Steve Hass, other residents John called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Minutes of the last meeting were approved as printed, Motion by Shockman, seconded and carried. Treasurer’s reports received
OLD BUSINESS: It was decided to add the lowest ECE Fiber internet package at the township hall.
Budget recommendation: Discussion on the purchase of the new truck. Val will check into the process of transferring funds from the road and bridge account into the fire account to pay off the new truck so we do not have to pay interest over 20 years. The road and bridge funds would have been used for the reconstruction of the highbridge approach if the new bridge were to be built. If the fund transfer is possible, the budget recommendation for 2026 is $269,325 which is a 5.2% increase over 2025.
NEW BUSINESS: Matthew and Lizzie Rydlund were present to review information regarding the driveway access to a plat in section 13 they will be presenting soon. The parcel they are creating has enough road frontage but it is all lowland. There is a current driveway going to 2237 397th Ave NE on the east side of the new lot and that is the access they would like to use as a combined driveway accessing the new lot. M/S Shockman/Fix and carried to allow this combined driveway access with the following: A recorded document that shows this driveway access will be allowed for the two homes—2237 and the new lot, that it will be maintained at the expense of those two properties at their discretion, and that it is not a township road.
Kyle Roddy presented an e-mail request regarding Greg Savsten on the rearrangement of Erickson Acres. They are not creating any new parcels as they would like to change the acreage of the current parcels from the larger one now becoming smaller and the smaller one becoming larger. Stanchfield Township board has no opinion as long as it follows Isanti County regulations.
Jim Pankan was present for a request regarding a new plat on 397th Ave. There is a question on easements that the township may hold. It is suspected that it is our road documents, but Mr Pankan will send the easement document to the Clerk to investigate. This is also the area that may have a new turnaround made if the railroad takes down the bridge. See next item.
Bill Becklin was present to ask if he can research the plans that the railroad has for the highbridge. The current information coming from the state of Minnesota is that the NLX highspeed train and rail work is no longer viable. It was hoped that money from the NLX would help fund the replacement of the highbridge. Without that funding, we are suspecting the bridge will be taken down. Mr Becklin was given permission to do this research for the township. He will also get plans and prices for making the turnaround and barricades which the railroad has committed to paying us for. And he will get prices if the railroad would want to pay us to take down the bridge and all costs related to that.
Commissioner Steve Westerberg was present to update us on a number of issues. The first one is Pollpads that the Auditor office is requesting the county/township to purchase for around $100,000 for the next election. Stanchfield Township prefers paper registers and not pollpads. He talked about the Canabis ordinances that the State is requiring, the City of Braham grants and financing including the Fire Truck purchase, the need for a new Highway Department building and answered general county questions from the board and audience.
Checks 7593-7600, ACH 641-644 were approved, Receipts: 635-637
Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m with motion by Fix, seconded and carried.
ANNUAL MEETING March 12, 2025 Approval of Minutes at 2026 Annual Meeting.
Clerk, Val Anderson, Called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm with 12 residents in attendance. Jim Lee nominated Glenda Spar to be moderator, with no other nominations, Glenda was elected. No changes were made in the Agenda. The printed 2024 Clerk’s report was read by Val Anderson. Glenda read the 2024 minutes. Motion by John Shockman, seconded by Dean Bondeson carried to approve the 2024 Annual Meeting Minutes.
Discussion was made regarding the new fire truck requested from the Fire Chief Ross Benzen. An order has been made for $757,000 for the Truck to be delivered in 2026 Our share could be up to $167,000. We are hoping to use the extra funds from the High Bridge approach to pay for the truck so we don’t have to make a 20 yr loan.
Loran Davis motioned, Jim Lee seconded and carried to approve the 2026 budget/levy of $269,325 as follows:
Levy Other Total
Revenue: $ 50,000 $ 2,780 $ 52,780
Road & Bridge $143,900 $28,100 $172,000
Fire $ 44,545 $ 44,545
Total $238,445 $30,880 $269,325
Safety and Rescue volunteers Tom and John presented the 2024 summery of volunteer activity of 1930 hours.
Next years meeting will be held at 7:00 pm on March 10, 2026. Meeting was adjourned at 8:20 pm with motion by Loran Davis, seconded by Craig Sundermeyer and carried.
Regular Meeting April 3, 2025. Present: Supervisors; John Shockman, Donald Fix, Dean Bondeson, Treasurer Craig Betsinger, Clerk Val Anderson, Steve Hass, other residents John called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Minutes of the last meeting were approved as printed, Motion by Shockman, seconded and carried. Treasurer’s reports received
OLD BUSINESS: Update of Pankan plat and high bridge: The easement is our recorded road easement and Mr. Pankan will work to get a cul-de-sac recorded on his plat for the high bridge turnaround if needed.
Research made from the state fire marshal has concluded that a new fire truck was not “needed’ if it passed inspection as there is not a age limit requirement Also an older truck does not make homeowners insurance rate increase.
NEW BUSINESS: Road check set for Saturday, April 19 with the public meeting at the town hall at 8:10 or call with concerns.
Because of information received at the yearly MAT meeting we will register with the State of MN for Paid Leave beginning 4th Quarter 2024. Premiums will begin in 2026. We do not qualify for Unemployment Insurance and are not required to pay into that account.
Discussion was made to get information for a cleanup day maybe on May 5th. A call was made to Shawns Rolloffs but we may not have enough time to get it organized for this year.
The 2025 ARPA report was filed and it may be the final report for the Covid monies received.
Motion by Shockman, seconded by Bondeson and carried to write a support letter to ECE Fiber for an expansion of their program to reach more people.
The Braham Youth Softball requests use of the ballfield from April 1 to July 18. Information will be added to the website regarding the use of the field and contact information.
Checks 7601-7607, ACH 645-647 were approved, Receipts: 638-639
Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m with motion by Fix, seconded and carried.
Board of Equalization: April 14, 2025 7 pm. Present: Supervisors; John Shockman, Donald Fix Clerk Val Anderson, Treasurer Craig Betsinger, County Peter Blomquist and Julian Cook.
Peter explained the changes in value for Stanchfield Township. The building site went up $10,000 and the first 10 acres wet up $1,000 per acre. The tillable and non tillable each went up $300 per acre to $3,900 and 3,600 respectively with waste land staying the same. This increase was throughout the township.
Residents/Land Owners: Harvey Johnson 11.076.0010 asked why he lost the agriculture credit. When he developed the property the lot has less then 10 acres of tillable land remaining so it lost the credit.
Rick Perleberg 11.023.1400. He had a fire on the second floor which is currently unusable and would like a reassessment of the value.
Ron and Val Anderson 11.09.0100. There was a 36% increase in the 2026 valuation with no change in the use. The county changed the waste land classification acres according to the wetland maps.
After view of the requests a motion was made by Shockman, seconded by Fix and carried to accept recommendation of the assessor
Motion to adjourn at 7:40 pm by Fix, seconded and carried.
Regular Meeting May 1, 2025. Present: Supervisors; John Shockman, Donald Fix, Dean Bondeson, Treasurer Craig Betsinger, Clerk Val Anderson, Steve Hass, other residents John called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Minutes of the last meeting and the Board of Equalization were approved as printed, Motion by Shockman, seconded and carried. Treasurer’s reports received
OLD BUSINESS: James Pankan and Bill Becklin were present to discuss the turnaround and the Pankan preliminary plat. They now have an easement on the plat for a turnaround if the railroad takes down the bridge. It was also found that James Maslow owns land between the road and the Pankan property. Mr. Pakan’s attorney will work with Mr. Maslow to record an easement for the land between the road easement and the Pankan property. Motion by Shockman Seconded by Bondeson and carried to approve this plat as presented with the turnaround as shown and to have Mr. Pankan record the Maslow easement.
Road check report was given with the addition of applying chloride to 381st Ave from Highway 65 to Nyman Road.
We are now in the State system for Paid Leave.
Approved the liquor license for the Outback Saloon and Grill with motion by Shockman, second by Fix and carried.
Discussion was made regarding the shared driveway policy. Motion by Shockman, second by Bondeson to send this policy language to our attorney to review and finalize it.
NEW BUSINESS: Shaun Fielder presented County View Farm 2nd Addition. Because of the change from the Maximum 3 acre rule he is rearranging the 2 larger lots to add additional acreage to 4 lots. There were 2 lots exempt from his original acreage so he had 6 lots available. The 4 transferred in lots will remain at the 3 area maximum. Motion by Shockman, seconded by Fix and carried to approve this preliminary plat as presented with the addition of a 66’ by 66’ easement for a township turnaround at the Southwest corner of Lot 2 and according to the new Isanti county lot size rules.
MATIT sent current values of insured property to review, no changes made.
Checks 7609-7616, ACH 648-651 were approved, Receipts: 640-645 Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m with motion by Fix, seconded and carried.
Regular Meeting June 5, 2025. Present: Supervisors; John Shockman, Donald Fix, Dean Bondeson, Treasurer Craig Betsinger, Clerk Val Anderson by phone, Steve Hass, other residents John called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Minutes of the last meeting were approved as printed, Motion by Shockman, seconded and carried. Treasurer’s reports received
OLD BUSINESS: No action is taken at this meeting, this is for updated information only. There are 2 items at the June Isanti County Planning Commission meeting, Replat of Country View Farms by Shaun Fiedler and WLH Pines Addition by Jim Pankan. For the replat, Shaun has added a 33” by 66’ easement in the SW corner of Lot 2 for a turnaround for Packard Street NE. For the WLH Pines Addition the turnaround for 379th Ave NE is added if the railroad takes down the bridge. We are leaving it up to the county to make sure the documents are correct for the land between the road right of way and Mr. Pankan’s property through their platting process.
Correct Outback Liquor license was signed.
NEW BUSINESS: Brian Person was present to request approval of the Maple Crest Plat on the Kay Dennis property. The new parcel will have the driveway on Vickers Street NE which is a county road. The other parcel is the existing driveway into 3862 405th. They have paid the $150.00 911 address fee for the new lot. Motion by Shockman, seconded by Bondeson and carried to approve the preliminary plat as presented.
Checks 7617-7624, ACH 652-654 were approved, Receipts: 646-649
Meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m with motion by Shockman, seconded and carried.
Regular Meeting July 3, 2025. Present: Supervisors; John Shockman, Donald Fix, Treasurer Craig Betsinger, Clerk Val Anderson, Steve Hass, other residents John called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Minutes of the last meeting were approved as printed, Motion by Shockman, seconded and carried. Treasurer’s reports received
OLD BUSINESS: Reviewed the Driveway ordinance 2-2025 and publication notice. Motion by Shockman, second by Fix and carried to approve Driveway Ordinance 2-2025
NEW BUSINESS: Sonny Lee presented Maple Crest 2nd Addition. This is on a county road and the current home has a driveway and 911 sign already, the second lot is accessed by an existing field approach. A 911 driveway sign will need to be purchased in the future when a home is built. Motion by Shockman, seconded and carried to approve this preliminary plat as presented with the new lot to use the current field approach and with the need to purchase the 911 driveway sign when a building permit is requested.
Pastor Calab Zahl from Stanchfield Baptist Church asked to used the Townhall park for their kids camp program next week. They will be set up outside, but need bathroom facilities.
Checks 7624-7635, ACH 655-656 were approved, Receipts: 650-653
Meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m with motion by Shockman, seconded and carried.
Regular Meeting August 7, 2025. Present: Supervisors; John Shockman, Donald Fix, Dean Bondeson, Treasurer Craig Betsinger, Clerk Val Anderson, Steve Hass, other residents John called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Minutes of the last meeting were approved as printed with the addition of the ordinance that was passed last month, Motion by Shockman, seconded and carried. Treasurer’s reports received
OLD BUSINESS: On the Maple Crest Second Addition there is a question on the number of building rights given to the property. Sonny Lee is on the Isanti County Board of Adjustment agenda to request to gain a building right on his parcel. Currently there is a sliver of land on the west side the rail road tracks that caused this concern. There is also a smaller sliver of land on the east side of the tracks. In review of the information presented to our board showing that neither sliver meets the current building requirements, a Motion was made by Shockman seconded by Bondeson and carried to agree with Mr Lee’s request to gain a building right on his parcel as long as it does not go over the four per quarter/quarter maximum. The preliminary plat has already been approved by the Stanchfield Township board and gives approval for the final plat along with this additional request and the signatures on the Mylars.
Jim Paken brought to us the Quit Claim Deed for an easement given to Stanchfield Township from James Maslow on 379th Avenue to connect Mr Paken’s property to the road as currently maintained. Motin by Shockman, seconded by Bondeson to accept this easement as described on the deed as Exhibit A. The Mylars were signed for WLH Pines Addition which includes this easement and also an easement for a turnaround on the North East corner in the event the BLSF railroad bridge is taken down.
NEW BUSINESS: The US Census sent the 2024 Population report of 1,223 with 462 Households. 2026 Town aid will be $1,813.
Checks 7628-7644, ACH 659-661 were approved, Receipts: 654-659
Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m with motion by Fix, seconded and carried.
Regular Meeting September 4, 2025. Present: Supervisors; John Shockman, Donald Fix, Dean Bondeson, Treasurer Craig Betsinger, Clerk Val Anderson, Steve Hass, other residents John called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Minutes of the last meeting were approved as printed, Motion by Shockman, seconded and carried. Treasurer’s reports received
OLD BUSINESS: Mylars signed or approval of signing the following plats: Maple Crest, Maple Crest 2nd Addition and County View Farms 2nd Addition.
Kurt Altendorf presented the preliminary plat of J and P Acres. This plat has a shared driveway with an existing driveway to part of the NW 1/4 of SE 1/4. An easement has been given to and added with this plat. The township has approved the shared driveway but we are waiting for the signed agreement between the parties involved. This Shared Driveway Agreement must be recorded with the plat. Motion by Bondeson, seconded by Shockman and carried to accept this preliminary plat and to accept the final plat when the Shared Driveway Agreement has been given to the township and recorded with the plat. The BNSF railroad has sent a letter stating they will be removing the high bridge. Discussion was made as to how the cul-de-sacs and barriers will be built. The slope to the current bridge could be used for a dirt barrier with the cul-de-sac created away from the railroad and at a lower elevation. A response will be sent to the current contact, Alexis Jones letting BNSF know we are waiting on plans to proceed. Bill Becklin will assist with this process. An estimated cost of the cul-de-sac was presented by Dale Becklin to get a start of the cost analysis. In addition to this cost will be land acquisition, signing, barriers and other costs associated with the removal of our access over the railroad tracks, a road which we have had since before the railroad came through. All these expenses should be paid for by the railroad since they are the cause of them.
NEW BUSINESS: Received a thank you and photo of the baseball players that used our field this summer. They were very appreciative of the field and adding the additional parking.
Calvery Baptist Church is temporarily using our township hall for their services.
Checks 7645-7652 , ACH 662-665 were approved, Receipts: 660-662
Meeting adjourned at 8: p.m with motion by Bondeson, seconded and carried.
Regular Meeting October 2, 2025. Present: Supervisors; John Shockman, Donald Fix, Dean Bondeson, Treasurer Craig Betsinger, Clerk Val Anderson, Steve Hass, other residents John called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Minutes of the last meeting were approved as printed, Motion by Shockman, seconded and carried. Treasurer’s reports received
OLD BUSINESS: Alexia Jones from BNSF was on a call with the board to discuss the removal of the highbridge. She stated BNSF is in the process of taking the bridge down and it may be as soon as November. Bill Becklin was present to discuss the engineering and survey that needs to be done to complete our cul-de-sacs and will bring this information to the board by mid November. Information from BNSF was sent via email regarding a railroad easement on the east side of the railroad that doesn’t show up in any of our records. If this easement is correct, we will have to work outside this easement for the turnaround on the east side. The Highbridge Forest plat (NE of the bridge) and the WLH Pines Addition plat (SW of the Bridge) were sent to Alexia. The railroad is working on documentation for a $600,000 payment from BNSF to us for expenses to build cul-de-sacs, barriers, signage, surveying and other costs.
Internet was ordered for the township hall.
Most of the 2025 road work has been completed with the final culverts and turnarounds being completed this month.
A signed shared driveway document for J&P Acres by Altendorf/Rydlund and Auths has been given to us. This agreement will be recorded with the final plat.
NEW BUSINESS: The Braham fire department did not spend all of the money that was budgeted for 2025. The board will receive $5,679.07 in a check to reimburse us for the over payment. This will be put back into the fire fund.
Len Haller and Steve Beckman were present to discuss the driveway access into Mr Haller’s lot (Lot 2 Block 1 Lilydale Estates) by either a shared driveway which extends back to Mr Beckman’s property or a single driveway into the lot which does not meet the 150’ between existing driveways. After discussion a motion was made by Shockman, seconded by Bondeson and carried to allow a single driveway without the 150 foot separation between the existing driveways.
Certified the 2025 road mileage at the same miles of 40.277.
The lot by the turnaround on Midway Street that forfeited to the State of MN many years ago is back on the Tax-Forfeited land list.
Checks 7653-7658, ACH 666-668 were approved, Receipts: 663-667
Meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m with motion by Shockman, seconded and carried.
Regular Meeting November 6, 2025. Present: Supervisors; John Shockman, Donald Fix, Dean Bondeson, Treasurer Craig Betsinger, Clerk Val Anderson, Steve Hass, other residents John called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Minutes of the last meeting were approved as printed, Motion by Shockman, seconded and carried. Treasurer’s reports received
OLD BUSINESS: Reviewed highbridge survey and cul-du-sac placement. Working with BNSF with paperwork to complete the closure of the highbridge. Will contact Corie/Rupie attornies help us in the hearing process.
ECE Internet installed October 31.
Motion by Shockman, seconded by Fix and carried to have the township pay for the total paid leave.
NEW BUSINESS: None
Checks 7657-7666 , ACH 669-672 were approved, Receipts: 668-671
Meeting adjourned at 8: p.m with motion by Fix, seconded and carried.
Regular Meeting December 4, 2025. Present: Supervisors; John Shockman, Donald Fix, Dean Bondeson, Treasurer Craig Betsinger, Clerk Val Anderson, Steve Hass, other residents. John called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Minutes of the last meeting were approved as printed, Motion by Shockman, seconded and carried. Treasurer’s reports received
OLD BUSINESS: We are still in correspondence with BNSF regarding the Highbridge. Information needed at this time is if we can place our cul-de-sac on our right of way over their claimed easement. Then we need attorney review of the documents. We will get information on putting up more jersey barriers while in construction and maybe permeant ones. Dead end signs are needed for both directions and a hearing may be needed to close the road over the railroad tracks and add the cul-de-sacs. Compensation for the additional land needed for the cul-de-sac from Ken Becklin was discussed also if a hearing would be needed for this and the road closure will be additional questions for the attorney.
We received a property valuation from MAT which increased our value from 250,000 to 283,238 which will increase our yearly premium $113 or 13.3% to $963.
NEW BUSINESS: Matthew Rydlund and Kurt Altendorf requested the signatures on the J & P Acres plat. A copy of the recorded shared driveway document was submitted with the final plat. Motion by Shockman seconded by Bondeson and carried to sign the plat with the recorded shared driveway document.
Kevin Stahl, Braham City Administrator presented the concept of a preliminary plat in section 1 on 415th Ave and Hupp Street for a Braham City compost site. They expect more traffic on our road, but only with residential vehicles and not many heavy trucks. Our concern is the road use and they are willing to work with us on that issue. There are no new township roads on the plat. Motion by Shockman, second by Fix and carried with Bondeson abstaining to approve the preliminary plat and the also approve the final plat if there are not any changes from the preliminary plat.
Because January 1, 2026 is a holiday, the January meeting has been moved to January 8 at 7 pm.
Checks 7667-7674, ACH 673-676 were approved, Receipts: 672-677
Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m with motion by Fix, seconded and carried.