Northern Township Feb. 2024 Newsletter

by | Mar 15, 2024 | News

NORTHERN  TOWNSHIP

445 TOWN HALL ROAD NW

BEMIDJI, MN  56601

(218)751-4989

www.northerntownship.com

nthntwp@paulbunyan.net

February 2024 Newsletter

Annual Meeting

Northern Township will hold it’s annual meeting on Tuesday, March 12th, 2024 at 7:00 pm at the Northern Town Hall. Please plan to attend to discuss multiple exciting topics.

There is an active link to join the meeting remote at: https://northerntownship.com

Sanitary Sewer System Update

As far back as 1960’s, Northern Township has explored numerous possibilities related to collection and treatment of wastewater to address significant failing individual on-site septic systems and protect the waters of Lake Bemidji. Northern Township has been awarded a $5 million federal grant, and continues to seek additional state and federal funds to assist in accomplishing this project.

Over the past several months the Township Board has worked with many partners and stakeholders to identify options and costs to make this project a reality. The project, through potential phases, would serve all properties adjacent to Lake Bemidji within the boundaries of Northern Township. 

It is time for the Township Board to act on proceeding with this legacy project that will have positive significant impact to our Township and natural resources for decades to come. We will have a discussion at our annual meeting, and encourage all of our residents to attend and provide the feedback needed to represent all of you as we make a decision of this magnitude.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Land Use Planning and Zoning

Northern Township has adopted a new Zoning Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan, and have a new Planning Commission in-place to handle land use issues within our Township. These new members are:

Mark Arndt                                             Clark Chambers                                    Bill Smith          

1007 Wintergreen Lane                       7022 Dickinson Dr NW            2635 Pearl Dr NE

Bemidji, MN 56601                             Bemidji, MN 56601                             Bemidji, MN 56601                      

marndt@paulbunyan.net                   cchamb@paulbunyan.net                  besmith@paulbunyan.net

Wayne Coombs                                  Ron Cuperas – Chairperson

11601 Irvine Ave                                 4201 Waville Rd NE

Bemidji, MN 56601                             Bemidji, MN 56601

wcleonard53@gmail.com                  seniorcupe@hotmail.com

All land use application forms and the Planning Commission calendar are available on our website.

Office hours for the Town Hall are 9:00 am to noon Monday-Thursday.

Road Projects

The Northern Township Board of Supervisors has applied for State Park Road Account Funding for the reconstruction of Wild Plum Lane NE, which includes a segment of Beach Lane NE and Whitetail Lane NE. These roadways complete the connection from Big Bass Lake Road NE to a public parking lot for the 115-mile Paul Bunyan State Trail and the Lake Bemidji Lavinia Public Access. Grant results are expected this spring.

We have also applied for Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) funds to reconstruct Fairgrounds Road from the Lakewood Drive NW/Minnesota Highway 71 intersection to the Irvine Avenue/County State Aid Highway 15 intersection. This roadway serves many businesses as well as the Beltrami County Fairgrounds, which hosts the Beltrami County Fair and numerous additional events throughout the year.  Grant results for this project are expected by the end of March.

Contact Info

Chairperson – Jess Frenzel:  jess.frenzel@northerntownship.com

Vice Chair – Chris Lahn:  chris.lahn@northerntownship.com

Supervisor – Micheal Kelly:  mkelly@paulbunyan.net

Supervisor – Curt Blumhagen:  curt.blumhagen@northerntownship.com

Supervisor – Gary Barnard:  gcbarnard@hotmail.com

Planning Administrator – Mark Borseth:  mark.borseth@northerntownship.com

Clerk – Mary Israelson:  nthntwp@paulbunyan.net – 218-751-4989

Deputy Clerk – Dianne Dockendorf:  218-751-4989

Road Supervisor – Tim Vigen :  218-766-4441

Treasurer – Crystal Peterson:  crystal.peterson@northerntownship.com

Animal Control – Keith Christianson:  218-760-6651

Please email any questions or concerns to: nthntwp@paulbunayan.net.  We will answer questions regarding the topics listed above and read aloud any concerns at our annual meeting if you are unable to attend.  You can attend our annual meeting virtually if you do not live in the area during the winter months.   Visit our website and there is a link to our annual meeting and this link will work for any of our normal meetings as well.

This mailing is being sent to all Northern Township property owners using information from the Beltrami County property tax data base. If anyone is inadvertently missed, a copy of the letter will be posted on the Northern Township Website: www.northerntownship.com. It can also be sent by calling or emailing the office.