Silver Creek Township supervisors approve $92,847.07 in claims, authorize credit card and Amazon account; delay 148th driveway permits

Silver Creek Township’s Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, approved a $92,847.07 list of claims, authorized a Cortrust credit card with a $1,000 monthly limit for township purchases, approved a township Amazon account and voted to pause new driveway permits on 148th until County Road 8 is properly realigned.

The meeting opened at 7:05 p.m. with Chairman Helman calling the session to order and the Pledge of Allegiance. Vice Chair Brandon Geyen moved to approve the meeting agenda; Supervisor Sandy Forsman seconded and the motion carried 3-0. Geyen then moved to approve the List of Claims totaling $92,847.07; Forsman seconded and that motion also carried 3-0.

During the open forum, a resident identified as Johann said the Monticello football boosters are seeking alumni assistance; another resident, Dan, asked when the township’s 2026 road projects will be discussed and made available for public review. Commissioner Darek Vetsch provided county updates, addressing impacts of the recently mentioned “big beautiful bill,” score funding, the county levy, ditch funding and the county land use plan.

On personnel and operational matters, Chairman Helman moved to allow Clerk-Treasurer Alana Paumen to work up to four hours per week from home; Vice Chair Geyen seconded and the motion carried 3-0, authorizing limited remote clerk hours.

Maintenance items discussed included parking concerns on Amery and 105th, a proposal to vacate the narrow end of road near the Lake Ida development, and questions from Maple Lake Fire about the structural integrity of a concrete bridge on 128th. The board also noted that the township F-550 truck needs new shocks and agreed that repairs should be completed in-house on a designated rain day.

On an Old Business motion, Vice Chair Geyen moved to not approve any driveway permits on 148th until the road is properly realigned with County Road 8; Supervisor Forsman seconded and the motion carried 3-0, creating a temporary moratorium on new driveway permits for that stretch.

Under new business, Geyen moved to authorize the township to obtain a Cortrust credit card with a $1,000 monthly limit for township purchases; Helman seconded and the motion carried 3-0. Helman subsequently moved to create a township Amazon account for purchasing; Geyen seconded and the motion carried 3-0.

A motion to adjourn at 9:20 p.m. was made by Nelson (identified in the minutes by surname only), seconded by Supervisor Sandy Forsman, and carried 4-0. The meeting minutes list attendees as Chairman Helman, Vice Chair Brandon Geyen, Supervisor Sandy Forsman and Clerk-Treasurer Alana Paumen; a sign-in sheet notes additional guests.

Votes at a glance: • Approve agenda — mover: Vice Chair Brandon Geyen; seconder: Supervisor Sandy Forsman; outcome: carried 3-0. • Approve list of claims ($92,847.07) — mover: Vice Chair Brandon Geyen; seconder: Supervisor Sandy Forsman; outcome: carried 3-0. • Clerk remote work (up to 4 hours/week) — mover: Chairman Helman; seconder: Vice Chair Brandon Geyen; outcome: carried 3-0. • Driveway permit moratorium on 148th until realignment with County Road 8 — mover: Vice Chair Brandon Geyen; seconder: Supervisor Sandy Forsman; outcome: carried 3-0. • Cortrust credit card ($1,000 monthly limit) — mover: Vice Chair Brandon Geyen; seconder: Chairman Helman; outcome: carried 3-0. • Township Amazon account — mover: Chairman Helman; seconder: Vice Chair Brandon Geyen; outcome: carried 3-0. • Adjournment at 9:20 p.m. — mover: Nelson; seconder: Supervisor Sandy Forsman; outcome: carried 4-0.

The board's actions included routine fiscal approvals and several operational items; the driveway permit moratorium will affect landowners on 148th until County Road 8 is realigned. The board did not set a date in the minutes for a public discussion of the 2026 road projects; a resident requested that schedule be made available for review.