SOUDAN- The long-planned Thompson Farm Road upgrade, to better accommodate the new state ATV campground, is nearing completion, with a higher final price tag than anticipated.  Engineering overages due to MnDOT changes (e.g., adding a fourth bypass lane) have increased costs by about $24,000 over estimates, and the township will be responsible for that expense.
In other business, three residents attended the meeting to ask about notifications for special meetings. They were concerned about lack of information about the special meeting held to discuss the use of the McKinley Park boat landing for the launching of the underwater neutrino detectors.
The township had publicized the meeting on Facebook, but these residents did not see the information. They asked the township if there were other ways for residents to be notified of special meetings, such as allowing residents to be asked to be notified by email of special meetings. Greenwood Township currently keeps a list of community members who wish to be notified by email in advance of all regular and special meetings.
Tony Perpich was at the meeting to discuss the issue of ownership of Indian Point Rd. It has been determined that the road is a township road. Breitung will be overseeing plowing the road this winter but may hire a contractor to do that due to staffing constraints. The town board discussed designating the road as minimum maintenance. Another option is having residents form a road association that would take ownership and responsibility of the road. The township has maintained the road since 2010.
In other action, the board:
• Heard from Chief Reing that September was a very busy month with the mild weather. Big Truck Night and Tacos with Cops were well attended. Reing reported there were 146 service calls, 7 traffic citations with 4 for speed and one for expired tabs and one for driving after revocation with no proof of insurance.
• Heard a community cleanup event is being planned in coordination with neighboring townships, possibly next May.
• Heard that state approval for the McKinley Park Trail Loop has been secured. This project will complete the “loop” between McKinley Park and Hoodoo Point, creating a six-mile paved bike trail. Construction is expected to get underway next year. The trail loop between Tower, Soudan, McKinley Park, Hoodoo Point Campground, and then back to Tower.
• Heard the new disc golf course is already seeing use by dedicated players despite lack of formal promotion. The small course is located at the recreation/skating rink area. Amazon-supplied disc sets have arrived. The course currently has three nets.
• Passed a motion to relist the township’s surplus fire truck at $10,000 for 14 days. The truck was listed at $20,000 but had no interest.