CRANE LAKE, MN 55725

CLWSD Newsletter #11 – November 2003

This newsletter is being mailed to all property owners within the Crane Lake Water and Sanitary District and other interested parties. It provides a summary of the Board of Managers activities and related requirements for Board decisions.

GOLD COAST PROJECT STATUS

Wagner Construction and Rice Lake Construction Group have curtailed most construction activities until next spring. The mainline piping has been completed and the treatment plant has been enclosed. Both contractors are confident the project will be completed as scheduled next summer. It is significant to note that there has not been a reportable accident to date.

GRINDER PUMPS

Discussions continue related to the selection of the brand of grinder pump for the project. The Board is most concerned with the reliability, serviceability and required maintenance over the life of the selected pump. It is anticipated the decision can be made to allow delivery before next spring’s installation schedule.

EASTERN SERVICE AREA

The Eastern Service Area includes all remaining District areas not included in the Gold Coast Project in the Western Service Area. An Eastern Service Area Plan currently being developed includes the following options:

Connect Handberg Point and the Highway 24 corridor to the Gold Coast Project treatment plant.
Use of cluster treatment systems or individual on-site systems for remaining areas.
Construction of holding tanks with disposal of the holding tank contents through the District’s wastewater treatment plant. This will probably relate to seasonal properties without road access.

The completion of this initial plan will allow regulatory agency approvals and arrangements for required funding.

BOARD APPOINTMENTS

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will soon begin the process of transferring responsibility for Board of Managers’ appointments from the St. Louis County Board to the Crane Lake Town Board. The terms of Managers Jim Sanborn and Mike White will expire in January 2004.

FACILITY OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

The Board has decided to enter a contract with Northeast Technical Services (NTS) to cover the operation and maintenance of the Gold Coast Project collection system and treatment facilities. It is anticipated that NTS will have at least one local employee.

OTHER COMMENTS

The Board is in the process of selecting an accounting system that will be adequate for future requirements. This will be followed by a decision on a billing system.
The Board thanks District residents for the cooperation received in the recent Special Assessment process.
On October 3, 2003 the Court ruled that the Crane Lake Property Owners for Common Sense should reimburse the District $3,794.04 for lawsuit costs. No payment has been received to date.
Our financial consultant, Scott Harder, is assisting in a review of the 2003 Forecast, 2004 Budget and 2004 Cash Requirements. This will determine if the 2004 levy can be reduced.
The Gold Coast Project Financial Plan should be available for Board action in January 2004. This will include the Rate Schedule.
It would be very helpful if concerned District residents would direct their concerns and questions to the Board. This would help eliminate rumors and misunderstandings. Please contact Clerk Jo Ann Pohlman at 218-993-2600, any of the Board Members listed below, or our E-mail address.

Visit our website at www.clwsd.org. Our E-mail address is info@clwsd.org.

Board of Managers:

Bud Bystrom 993-2351 Deena Congdon 993-2269

Jim Sanborn 993-2404 Darrell Scott 993-2378

* Mike White 993-2424

*Newsletter Writer