NOTICE
2018 ROCHESTER TOWNSHIP
ELECTION AND
ANNUAL MEETING
Proposed – AGENDA
- Clerk – Calls the meeting to order (Pledge of Allegiance)
- Approval of agenda
- Elect Meeting Moderator
- Approval of the minutes of the 2017 Annual Meeting
- Clerks report of 2017 financial information- Gary Swenson
- Audit Report and presentation of proposed budget for 2019 – Gary Swenson
- Set levy for 2019
- Report by Deputy
- Set gopher bounty
- Review of Roadwork
- Rochester/Cascade Joint Powers Program
- New Equipment
- Planning and Zoning
- Residential Development
- Right of Way Ordinance
- Speed Laws
- Township Road Signs
- Storm water Management Update
- TCPA update
- Township Picnic & Recognition
- Other Business
- Date & time of next years meeting
In case of bad weather, the election and annual meeting will be held on Tuesday March 21, 2017 at the same time and place as listed above
SAMPLE BALLOT for March Election 2018
ROCHESTER TOWNSHIP 2018 ANNUAL LETTER
4111 11th Ave SW, Rochester, MN 507-282-6488
Annual Meeting & Elections:
This Year’s Annual Meeting is set for Tuesday, March 13th beginning at 8:15 pm in the Rochester Town Hall. Election polls open at 5pm and close at 8pm. Absentee Voting will take place Saturday March 10th from 10AM to 12PM. In addition to voting, the Annual Meeting provides an opportunity to join our neighbors to review the last year’s activities including the 2019 proposed budget ($823,296). Also, we will discuss plans for the 2018 work program. Your input is valued as we implement this program.
Township Clerk and Maintenance Supervisor:
Sandra Passe, Town Clerk (elected at last year’s annual meeting) resigned mid year due to other personal commitments. Gary Swenson was appointed by the board to complete the year and is now on the 2018 ballot seeking election for a full 2 year term.
Mark Cochran is the township’s full time Maintenance Supervisor. He has been on board for the past year. Mark has worked in the construction industry as a supervisor for close to 29 years and brings a wealth of knowledge to this position. When he’s not working, Mark enjoys spending time with his 3 children and 7 grandchildren.
Other full time employees include: Mike Reiland (hired 10/2000) and Chris Lein (hired 5/2001). Our 3 person full time team does an outstanding job!
Winter Operations and Road Maintenance:
Protecting property is a concern for our drivers during the winter snow season: parking vehicles or trailers on township roads longer than 24 hours is prohibited, as is the placing of rubbish or recycling bins on the road pavement. It is also important to locate your mailbox so that it will not be in the way of maintenance activity. Trash containers should be placed off the pavement and on your driveway to avoid interfering with plowing of snow. The containers are at risk of being hit and if the trucks go around them, a snow pile remains for you and others to deal with. Driveway markers must be placed outside the ROW limits. Please contact the township office if you wish to place objects within the right-of-way limits.
Stormwater Management:
Annually the Township is required to update our MS4 Stormwater Management Plan that is aimed at reducing runoff and pollution. We can all contribute to the success of our plan by reducing the use of yard chemicals, regularly pumping septic tanks (every 2-3 years), proper disposal of toxic chemicals/hazardous waste, etc. Rain gardens have been shown to be effective for reducing runoff. Contact the Olmsted County Public Works Department at 285-8231 for information and advice.
Mowing Township Ditches:
Native prairie grasses and flowers in our ditches may play a critical role in providing habitat for wildlife (cattails for Red-winged Blackbirds, Milkweed for monarch butterflies, etc.), increase water filtration, catch snow and help take up excess water runoff. Contact DNR and request program information on “Roadsides for Wildlife”. Rochester Township supports permitting the mowing of our road ditches to control noxious weeds and to enhance safety.
Fire Protection:
We continue to receive fire protection service from the city of Rochester. This purchased service has a beneficial effect on our insurance rates and contributes to the health and welfare of our community.
Burn Permits:
Recent snowfall this winter has reduced the chance of grass fires. However, caution should be exercised when ever a burning activity is conducted. The DNR website states a burn permit is required if there is less than 3 inches of snow on the ground. Spring fire restrictions take effect after the snow melts. Open burning is restricted until vegetation turns green. DNR reminds us that 98% of fires are caused by humans. Residents can call the Township Hall to request a burn permit.
Right-of-Way Reminder:
If you are planning any work in the Township Road right-of-way, (33′ on each side of the road centerline) you must contact the Township or a Township Supervisor before beginning work. Check the township website for additional details.
Town Hall Utilization:
The Town hall may (for town residents) be available for meetings. Call Gary Swenson if you’d like to reserve the hall. A rental fee may be charged.
Sheriff Protection:
Our thanks to Deputy Tracy Pagel for keeping our township safe this past year. Deputy Pagel attends each Board meeting and updates us on all township calls the sheriff’s office has responded to in the previous month.
We are all fortunate to live in a community with low crime rates, but it’s important to stay vigilant. In our day-to-day lives, it’s easy to take routine activities for granted. If you see any suspicious activity, someone or something that doesn’t seem quite right, do not approach a suspicious vehicle or person, instead report it to our local law enforcement. If it is not an emergency call the dispatch center at 507-259-8154, if it’s an emergency call 9-1-1. It’s up to each and every one of us to help support our local law enforcement officers and keep our community safe.
Rochester Township Website: http://www.rochester-township.com
Rochester Township Budget Information
2017 2018 2017 2019
Rochester Township Election Results 2018
Number of Ballots Cast # 426
Seat #1 – Rachael Bohman # 345
– Brian Braaten #50
Seat #5 – Jamie Neisen # 326
– Art Reckinger # 25
– Matthew Kitzmann # 44
Clerk/Treasurer – Gary Swenson #306
Rochester Township 
