Silver Creek Township approves mower, road apron funding and routine purchases

The Silver Creek Township Board of Supervisors approved several routine maintenance and administrative expenditures at its meeting on Jan. 20, 2026, and set next steps on hiring and the annual audit.

Chair Mike Helman presided over the meeting, which was attended by Vice Chair Brandon Geyen and Supervisor Andy Christensen; Supervisors Sandy Forsman and Ryan Nelson were absent. The board opened by approving an amended agenda and the Jan. 6, 2026 meeting minutes, both by 3-0 votes.

Vice Chair Brandon Geyen moved to approve disbursements totaling $24,119.35; Supervisor Andy Christensen seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The clerk/treasurer reported that the 2025 audit is starting and that Helman will coordinate with the interim clerk.

The board approved purchase of a desktop computer to replace the clerk/treasurer’s laptop. Chair Mike Helman made the motion to purchase the desktop at a cost of $831.03 and to authorize IT assistance to transfer files; the motion was seconded by Vice Chair Geyen and passed 3-0.

On equipment for township maintenance, staff presented quotes for a Schulte XH1500 Series 5 mower. Vice Chair Geyen moved to purchase the mower for $47,825.44; Supervisor Andy Christensen seconded the motion, which carried 3-0.

Board members discussed the Baker Avenue road rebuild and agreed to solicit contractor bids now so the board will have quotes before the end of February and can better plan other 2026 road projects after a contractor is selected. The board also reviewed a Wright County proposal to add gravel-to-pavement aprons where County Road 39 is resurfaced; Supervisor Andy Christensen moved to approve up to $16,000 for aprons along County Road 39, seconded by Vice Chair Geyen, and the motion passed 3-0.

In personnel matters, the board reviewed applications for the clerk/treasurer position and set interviews to begin Friday, Jan. 23, 2026; Chair Helman and Supervisor Christensen will serve on the interview panel.

The board approved an updated driveway permit application and authorized posting it on the township website, following the current ordinance and fee schedule (motion by Vice Chair Geyen, seconded by Supervisor Christensen, carried 3-0). The board set the board of audit for Feb. 10, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at Silver Creek Township Hall.

The clerk reported that West Central Sanitation responded to a letter from the township attorney and refunded $28,555.47 to the township for fuel surcharges that were not listed in the contract.

For facility protection, Chair Helman moved and the board approved up to $300 to buy two chair-moving dollies to protect the township hall floor; that motion passed 3-0. For outreach, the board approved up to $750 to print and mail annual meeting postcards via Monticello Printing (motion by Vice Chair Geyen, second by Supervisor Christensen), carried 3-0.

The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. after a final 3-0 vote to close.

Votes at a glance: agenda approval (motion: Andy Christensen; second: Brandon Geyen) — 3-0; minutes approval (motion: Christensen; second: Geyen) — 3-0; disbursements $24,119.35 (motion: Geyen; second: Christensen) — 3-0; desktop computer $831.03 (motion: Helman; second: Geyen) — 3-0; mower $47,825.44 (motion: Geyen; second: Christensen) — 3-0; County Rd 39 aprons up to $16,000 (motion: Christensen; second: Geyen) — 3-0; driveway permit posting (motion: Geyen; second: Christensen) — 3-0; chair-moving dollies up to $300 (motion: Helman; second: Geyen) — 3-0; postcards up to $750 (motion: Geyen; second: Christensen) — 3-0; adjourn (motion: Geyen; second: Christensen) — 3-0.

What’s next: interviews for the clerk/treasurer begin Jan. 23; the board of audit is scheduled for Feb. 10.