(Not final until approved/signed by the Board)
Turtle Lake Township
Turgi Hill Road Special Hearing Minutes
May 7, 2015
Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM by Howard Schultz. Also in attendance are board members Russ
Bennett, Janee Hill, Al Lidstrom, Zoning Administrator Kelly Booge and Clerk Kirby Bahr.
Public Attendees: Shawn Sandmeyer, Bill Kelm, David Amundson and Lee Hill.
Business:
The meeting officially opened on Turgi Hill Road’s western Turtle Lake Township boundary.
Kelly Booge apprised all attendees of the nature of the proposed project. After some discussion the
meeting moved to the eastern edge of the Turgi Hill Road proposed project, where more discussion
took place. At about 6:35 the group (Less Bill Kelm), moved to the Turtle Lake Town Hall.
Reconvene:
Howard Schultz reconvened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Note: Some of the topics of discussion are listed below. These do not necessarily appear in
chronological order since some of the same issues were discussed at several different points in the
meeting.

It was suggested that the township consider moving the road away from the Sandmeyer
property and more towards the Tolman property. There is an issue of a long fence line on the
Tolman property.

There is concern about the cost to move “3-phase” power poles that are on the proposed rightof-way.

It was suggested that instead of filling edges of the wetland area on the curve...to just put the
road straight across the wetland. This would still have a power pole issue. Also there would be
more concern from the DNR as more wetland would most likely be needed.

There was concern that the township might not pay landowners for land used for the easement.
It was clarified that there would be compensation. It was also noted that other folks in this
situation have just signed a waiver to allow the easement at no charge to the township.

The township is not going to own the land...they would only have an easement for right-of-way
purposes.

Some Trees and brushing and ditching would need to take place.

There was concern about the slopes of the ditch.

It was stated that the town board is a steward of the township tax dollars and are sensitive to the
costs.

It was stated that the number one concern by all parties would be safety of travelers.

It was pointed out that only two homes resided on that part of the road. It was also pointed out
that there are a lot of school bus runs and other traffic that passes over that road daily. (less
school busses in the summer).

The township is building the road not just to fix for today...but to fix for years to come. Thus
they want to do it right.

Snow removal is a definite issue with the road as is.

Cutting trees will help with visibility and also snow melting.

There was discussion about leaving the road where it is but still lift in swamp area and cut hills
and ditch as needed. This might save money.

Today we have easement by prescription to the road edges.

The township is in the beginning process of recording all roads.

The township will engage the county engineer to present all the discussion points and concerns
made at tonight’s meeting.

It was thought that moving the road so far over would in the long run end up problematic as the
roadway would split where the north edge of the road now lies...away from the newer portion.

A lot of speeding goes on over that road, but fixing the road will not mitigate that.

Financial feasibility was a repeated subject throughout the discussions.

Howard pointed out that many public roads are not recorded as of today per the BATO meeting.
At this point the discussion ended and Howard Schultz indicated that several of the township group will
get together and discuss tonight’s thoughts and suggestions. He hoped that by July we could be in
agreement to move forward to fix Turgi Hill Road. He thanked the attendees for their help and
reiterated that this was a team effort to do the right thing on Turgi Hill Road for the township and the
travelers on that road.
Adjourn:
Al Lidstrom made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:33 PM. The motion was seconded by Russ
Bennett and carried 4/0.
Approval of these Minutes from May 7, 2015, Turgi Hill Road Special Meeting:
Approved _____________________________________________
Date: ___________________
___________________________
V. Kirby Bahr, Clerk
Home 218.444.6510
vkb1@paulbunyan.net