Meeting Minutes:

Helena Township

Board of Supervisors – Meeting Minutes

10/21/2026 | New Prague Fire Hall

CALL TO ORDER. Workshop was called to order by Chairperson Wermerskirchen at 5 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

PRESENT. Chairperson John Wermerskirchen, Supervisor Edward Nytes, Supervisor DeAnn Croatt, Treasurer Nathan Hutton, Deputy Treasurer Patricia Peterson, Clerk Heather Taylor DuCharme, Deputy Clerk Kimberly Carlberg, and Road Overseer Jeff Haag were present. Also present were Nate French, Max Redfarn, and Ken Ondich.

MEETING DISCUSSION

1. Discussion and review of request for proposed annexation by City of New Prague for industrial park, including review of resolution and annexation fee options. Discussion of current orderly annexation agreement; City of New Prague plans to provide a proposed updated agreement for review by the end of 2026. On motion by Wermerskirchen/Croatt, Joint Resolution of the City of New Prague, Minnesota and Town Board of Helena, Scott County, Minnesota in the Matter of Orderly Annexation under Minnesota Statutes Section 414.0325 (Helena Township Resolution No. 10212026) approved as presented with annexation fee of $36,500 payable by the City of New Prague to Helena Township on or before 1/31/2027; carried unanimously.

2. Hutton presented regarding:
   1. Review and discussion of certificates of deposit and options at current Town banks. Eagle Rock Bank unwilling or unable to offer other certificate of deposit rate options. Discussion of FDIC insured online only options with higher rates and local versus online banking options. Haag advised that GM Right Notes offers certificate of deposit rates in a savings account format. Hutton will check with other local banks regarding options.
   2. Advised Board regarding use of Microsoft CoPilot for review and editing of employee handbook.

3. Haag presented regarding:
   1. All road review items are complete.
   2. Dough Johnson graded the rest of the roads, including CR8 and Vermont where adjacent property owners watched the grading.
   3. Filled in potholes at CR21 and 255^th. Croatt reported the potholes to MNDOT as well.
   4. Update on mowing at end of 270^th. TJ Deutch’s mower became entangled in livestock fencing that was in the ditch the property owner demanded to be mowed. Deutsch had to stop the mowing and take the mower back to his shop for repair. Taylor DuCharme instructed by Board to correspond to property owner that (1) mowing cannot be done because of obstructions in ditch, (2) that property owner is responsible for removing all obstructions and debris in ditch, (3) if Township has to remove debris and obstructions that the property owner will be billed for all associated costs, and (4) property owner will be billed for any costs of repair Deutsch bills to the Township.
   5. There was a tree down on Camber. Wermerskirchen advised that a farmer used a combine to push it off the road. Wermerskirchen filed a hole caused by the tree and finished cleanup of the tree.

4. Taylor DuCharme presented regarding:
   1. Verizon fiber work planned along CR21 corridor.
   2. Check received from New Prague Fire Relief Association for playground equipment ($1,500). Carlberg will send a thank you to the Association.
   3. Email received from Andrew Vistad regarding pond scraping. Wermerskirchen provided additional update from communications with Vistad. Only one quote received from Vistad’s inquiries (BKJ Excavating $12,100), which was below what was anticipated. Supervisors discussed limiting tree removal for pond scraping to only that which is absolutely necessary to preserve the natural landscape as much as possible. Wermerskirchen advised that he told Tom Johnson to preserve as many trees as possible. On motion by Croatt/Nytes, pond scraping quote accepted and approved; carried unanimously. Taylor DuCharme instructed to email Vistad about approval. Wermerskirchen and Haag plan to be present during the project.
   4. Sample ballots received from Scott County.

5. Carlberg presented regarding:
   1. Posting for general election canvas meeting posted.
   2. Posting of sample ballots will be completed as soon as possible.
   3. Review of calendar additions and deadlines, including election status and unemployment and paid leave reporting.

6. Supervisors presented regarding:
   1. Croatt provided an update about transportation improvement program dates.
   2. Croatt was contacted by Jack Stasney regarding the ballfield. It sounds like the ball team is on board with taking on the ballfield and intervention by the Township will not be needed.
   3. Croatt asked about MAT billing for annual meeting (no bill received yet).
   4. Croatt may not be at the at the regular December meeting.
   5. Wermerskirchen found a safety sign (“road closed”) in the middle of 226^th that was not authorized by the Township. It is not the Township’s sign. Wermerskirchen removed it and will provide it to Haag for storage with other Township signs until the owner reaches out.
   6. Wermerskirchen and Peterson updated the Board regarding playground equipment issues.
   7. Discussion regarding employee handbook and code of contact.

MOTION TO ADJOURN/CONTINUE. At 6:00 p.m. on motion by Croatt/Nytes, meeting adjourned; carried unanimously.

Submitted:         Date:                                                                                                                                                                     Clerk

Approved:          Date:                                                                                                                                                      Chairperson