MP11-12                                                   
Maine Prairie Town Hall Meeting
April 19, 2011
 
Chair Loewen opened the board meeting with the pledge to the flag. 
 
Members present: Dennis Loewen, Terre Harff, Jim Unterberger, Chuck Froehling, Ann Craft and Alice Robinson.    
 
The board reviewed what was discussed at the annual meeting. 
 
A flyer was suggested for the annual newsletter.   The board felt the flyer should have why a building is needed such as: for storage of files, sign posts, mail box posts and culverts along with a larger meeting area that is uninterrupted by others.   Also to mention the vote of 24-4 taken at the annual meeting showing the residents see there is a need.  Another issue was to make it known to the residents that the Fire Hall is City owned, there seems to be a misconception the township owns a portion of the fire hall to have meetings there.  There are also times that the parking lot is not large enough.  Discussed was how the meetings need to be cleared with the City to make sure the building is open.  It was suggested to have pictures included showing where everything is located and list the items not pictured that are stored elsewhere. 
 
Future expansion was brought up by Jim Unterberger.  He said there might be a time when the township will want to do their own grading and they will need a place to park a grader.  It was also suggested the township build a storage area to store their salt/sand for winter. 
 
It was discussed not to announce that Maine Prairie Township is largest in Stearns County, not to list how many townships have a town hall in the county.
 
The board felt it was important to get this information to the residents through the newsletter that goes to every resident in the township.  Discussion was to have a town hall meeting after the flyer goes out, to review options and cost with the people. 
 
Ann Craft and Dennis Loewen will meet at Clerk Harff’s home on Friday, April 20th at4:00 p.m. to compile information and develop a flyer. 
 
The information will be given to the board for their approval to mail out.  They will also come up with a day to meet with the committee to present the information to all the residents. 
 
 
 
Terre Harff, Clerk/Treasurer