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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Insurance agency begins probe in clerk transition

Jodi Summit
Posted 4/7/16

GREENWOOD TWP- Greenwood Township officials were notified Monday that the township’s insurance agency, Minnesota Association of Townships Insurance and Bond Trust (MATIT) has hired a law firm from …

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Insurance agency begins probe in clerk transition

Posted

GREENWOOD TWP- Greenwood Township officials were notified Monday that the township’s insurance agency, Minnesota Association of Townships Insurance and Bond Trust (MATIT) has hired a law firm from Bloomington to conduct an investigation into the issues surrounding the transition between the former and current clerk, and other possible issues that may arise.

“It is our expectation that the township’s officers, employees, and agents will fully cooperate,” wrote Eric Hedtke, general counsel of MATIT.

The letter said the insurance company had become concerned after reading media reports of the transition, along with the township’s recent claim history.

“MATIT has concerns regarding the possibility of future claims arising in Greenwood Township,” Hedtke wrote.

Supervisor John Bassing said that a paralegal was scheduled to begin interviews of township officers and employees on April 6, and that interviews were expected to continue the following week.

Greenwood Chair Rick Worringer said he is not certain why the investigation is called for, but wondered if the township hadn’t used more than “its share of legal funds due to the rash of lawsuits lately.”

Bassing noted that the township’s MATIT insurance had been used when he and his wife took the township to court over the issue of the township’s refusal to release the written comments that were part of the comprehensive plan survey. The township did agree to release the comments after the matter was taken to court. The township has also used MATIT attorneys when dealing with legal issues relating to planning and zoning lawsuits.

Worringer was also surprised that the only details the township had received were an email asking them when they would be available for an interview by an investigator.

Worringer added that he didn’t think the township’s attorney would need to be involved in the investigation by the insurance company.

Bassing said he was very happy with the insurance services offered through MATIT, and he hoped the investigation would not result in the township having their policy dropped. He did note there are a few townships in Minnesota that obtain insurance outside of MATIT.

“I’d like to be able to stay with MATIT,” he said, though he noted that the township could still be a member of the Minnesota Association of Townships without using their insurance arm.