It’s been an uneventful year for Big Lake Township. Township projects have gone well - no budget issues - no controversies. The same theme carried over to the annual township election and annual meeting Tuesday. Four “incumbent” supervisors ran without announced competition and easily won election to their seats. Bob Hofer, seeking another term, received 48 votes; Norm Leslie, also seeking another term, received 49 votes. Steve Pfleghaar, appointed last summer to fill the term of Mike Hayes, was elected to conclude that term, expiring March, 2015. And Bruce Aubol, appointed also last summer to fill the term of Jim Stahlmann, was elected to finish that term, expiring March, 2014. Fifty-one residents cast ballots. Timothy Brown received two write-in votes for Pfleghaar’s seat. Fourteen people showed up to attend the annual meeting, moderated by Jacque Nadeau. The proposed levy for 2014 was recommended to remain the same as that for the current year, at $900,000. That will be considered for adoption at their reconvened meeting in September. (Townships tentatively pass levies at their annual meetings, but wait until after the conclusion of the legislative session to formally adopt those levies.) Main presentation at the annual meeting was by Big Lake Fire Dept. personnel. In 2012, fire calls to the township numbered at 76. The department currently has 31 firefighters,with positions for 35. Plans would be to advertise this spring to fill those positions. Firefighters spent 3,718 hours responding to calls last year. In addition, they have spent 2,677 hours helping out with community events, such as Fire Prevention Week activities, National Night Out, equipment maintenance and training and work details at the fire hall. The department has been receiving a number of charitable contributions towards purchases of equipment. A plan will be to purchase new jaws of life; current equipment is seven and 26 years old. 2014 Budget Residents reviewed a proposed 2014 budget of $1,379,000, up from $1,320,000 of the current year. General fund is proposed at $265,000, up $6,000 from the current year; Road fund is $800,000, up from $756,000 this year; Fire fund is $125,000, up $1,000 from 2012; Economic development fund, $77,000, same as this year. The proposed levy of $900,000, the same as 2012, compares with $984,000 in 2011 and $1,070,000 in 2010. Township property market value for 2014 is $541 million, compared to $558 million of this year and $596 million of 2012, Wednesday’s Meeting At Wednesday’s regular meeting, the board spent considerable time hearing reports and taking action on their library and EDA services, which are shared with the city (along with the fire department). Supervisor Steve Pfleghaar reported the library committee had met and discussed the foreclosure status and redemption period for the building the library is sited in, on Minnesota Ave. The redemption period ends April 23, 2013. The city and township will need to meet and discuss options for a future library site after that date. They are currently renting the space for $100,000 from the estate of John Weicht. Mayor Raeanne Danielowski and City Administrator Todd Bodem met with the township and discussed a proposal from Deckland Group to provide marketing and economic development assistance on the orderly annexation areas and jointly-owned industrial park. The township agreed to participate with 25% of the contract price. Contract for marketing services is $5,000 and a three-month contract for $9,000 for general economic development and active marketing and sales of these jointly-owned properties.