Maine Prairie Township

About the Township

Maine Prairie Township, named for its original settlers who came from the state of Maine, is one of the larger townships in Minnesota. Located in the southeast corner of Stearns County, it covers about 37,400 acres with 1,310 parcels of land and about 66 miles of road. According to the 2007 Census, there are about 1,740 residents and 635 households in Maine Prairie Township. Click here to view the Wickipedia entry for Maine Prairie Township.

Meetings

7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month, at the Kimball Area Fire & Rescue Hall (300 Elm St. N.). Meetings are open to the public unless otherwise stated.

• Each monthly meeting begins with a Planning & Zoning meeting to review applications for building permits. Following the Planning & Zoning meeting, the monthly Township meeting convenes. Anyone wishing to have an item placed on the agenda should contact the Township Clerk five (5) days prior to the monthly meeting. Township meetings are on the community calendar, and notices of meetings published in the Tri-County News.
• Annual Township meeting is held at 8:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday in March. At this meeting the annual budget is set, road repair issues are addressed, and taxes, planning ideas, and more are discussed.
• Taxation Board of Review is held in April (also at the Kimball Area Fire & Rescue Hall). Official notification will be in the Tri-County News in advance of the meeting. Call the Stearns County Assessor's Office for an appointment (320-656-3680).

Ordinances and Policies

Official Notices

• The official newspaper of Maine Prairie Township is the Tri-County News. The community calendar in the Tri-County News includes Maine Prairie Township meetings. All required legal notices for the Township are printed in the Tri-County News, and posted on-line on their Web site.

 

Fire and Rescue

• Fire and rescue services are provided for Maine Prairie Township by the Kimball Area Fire & Rescue squad, Watkins Fire & Rescue squad, Watkins Ambulance, and Rockville Fire & Rescue squad.
• Maine Prairie Township is included in the statewide 9-1-1 program. In the event of any type of emergency, dial "911".

 

Building Permit Applications

• The process of obtaining a building permit can take up to 90 days, especially if platting of lots is required. Be sure to start the application process early.

 

Trailer Home Permits

• All trailer homes in Maine Prairie Township require a $30 township permit that must be renewed each year to avoid penalty.

 

Elections

• Elections are held at the Kimball Area Fire & Rescue Hall, 300 Elm St. N., in Kimball.
• Primary elections are held the first Tuesday after the second Monday in September in even-numbered years. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
• General elections are held the first Tuesday in November. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
• Township elections are held the second Tuesday in March each year. Polls open at 12 noon and close at 8 p.m.

 

Snowplowing

• During a snow storm, snow plows will not go out until the snow has stopped if visibility is bad. School bus routes are the first Township roads to be plowed after a snow.
• It is unlawful (Minnesota Statute 160.2715) to plow or shovel ice or snow onto any highway, street, or roadway.

 

Burning Permits

• Burning permits are required during most of the year. They may be obtained at Schmidty's Tesoro station in Kimball.

 

Trash Pick-up, Recycling, and Hazardous Waste

• Maine Prairie Township does not provide trash or recycling pick-up. It is the responsibility of individual homeowners to contract for their own garbage pick-up. Local companies that provide trash pick-up in our areainclude Waste Management, West Central Sanitation (320-453-2717), and Helmbrecht Sanitation (320-274-3459). Check the yellow pages.
• The City of Kimball hosts a clean-up day each year where hazardous materials can be brought in by nearby residents. Watch for notices in the Tri-County News.

 

Township Audit and Budget

• The Township books are audited each year. A copy of this year's audit results is posted on the bulletin board in the Kimball Area Fire & Rescue Hall.
• The 2009 budget for Maine Prairie Township was set at the 2008 annual meeting for $575,000. Of that, $70,000 is for the general fund, $330,000 is for roads and bridges, $45,000 is for snow removal, $50,000 for road blading, $70,000 for fire protection, and $10,000 will go into the Town Hall fund.

 

Township Hall

• Maine Prairie Township currently meets in the Kimball Area Fire & Rescue Hall within the City of Kimball. Township residents voted at their annual meeting to purchase land for a new Town Hall. The Township Board has purchased plaques to list any donation of $50 or more. Call the Township Clerk/Treasurer (320-398-2905) or any of the Township Supervisors to make a donation.

 

Irrigation

• Farmers who water over Township roads will be fined and billed for repair of any road damage caused by the water.

 

Weed Control and Road Right-of-Way

• It is the responsibility of each landowner to clear trees and brush within 33 feet from the center of a Township road. It also is the responsibility of each landowner to control noxious weeds on their property. According to Minnesota state law, Township Supervisors may inspect properties within the Township for noxious weeds and for safety issues. Maine Prairie Township has a big problem with noxious weeds growing in pastures and on CRP land.
• Right of Way issues are brought up at regular meetings. Note that you cannot build, put up a sign, pile rocks, or plant trees, flowers or crops in the road right of way. Minnesota state law states that the right of way must be kept clear for safety reasons. A township road right of way is 33 feet from the center of the road.

 

Dog Control

• All dogs must be leashed, kennelled, or in control when off personal property. Dogs not meeting these criteria will be impounded at the owner's expense. The Township enforces its dog ordinance.

 

Ordinance Enforcement

• Maine Prairie Township has an agreement with the City of Kimball Police Department to provide enforcement of all Township ordinances.

 

Township Building Code

• Maine Prairie Township has adopted the Minnesota state building code that became effective Aug. 2, 2000. The way permits are issued, and the cost of the permits, has been impacted by this change. Permits for new construction are based on the value of the building or addition. Examples of these changes are listed below:

 

1. Individuals seeking permits for new construction must come before the Township Planning & Zoning Board. Permits are needed for erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, removal, or demolition of buildings and structures. Permits for new construction are based on the value of the building or addition. Contact Ron Albers (320-251-7116), the Township Building Inspector.
2. Blueprints need to be submitted at the Planning & Zoning meeting for newly platted land.
3. If you need a variance or rezoning hearing, you will need to speak with a Township Supervisor and appear before the Board. A legal notice must be published in the Tri-County News for two weeks prior to the hearing. The cost is $150.
4. General maintenance permits are issued at the time of request. Maintenance permits are required for: re-roofing, re-siding, new windows, sidewalks, driveways, or cementing anything. Maintenance permits cost $90, and they are available from Chuck Froehling (320-398-7512).
5. Any property owner or contractor starting construction without the proper permit(s) will be fined between $10 and $300 per day of violation, and construction will be stopped until the owner or contractor appears before the Planning & Zoning Board at the next regularly convened meeting. Dig a hole – Get a permit. If you plan to disturb an acre or more of land, you will need to contact Stearns County Environmental Services (320-656-3613 or e-mail) to get a permit.
6. Business signs are limited in size and require a $30 permit, renewable every two years.
7. A trailer home requires a $30 permit, renewable every year.
8. An in-home business requires a one-time $30 Provisional Use Permit.