Helena Township
Annual Meeting of Helena Township
Minutes of March 10, 2026 | 8:00 PM
New Prague Fire Hall, 505 5th Ave. NW, New Prague, Minnesota 56071
Present: Heather M. Taylor DuCharme, Kimberly Carlberg, Nathan Hutton, Patricia Peterson, Jeff Haag, John Wermerskirchen, Edward Nytes, DeAnn Croatt, Peter Croatt, Bill Nytes, Martin Ruehling, John Ruehling, Scott County Sheriff’s Sergeant John Kvasnicka. (Copy of sign in sheet attached)
- Call to Order. The Annual Meeting was called to order by Clerk Heather M. Taylor DuCharme at 8 p.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited
- Moderator. On a motion by DeAnn Croatt/Peter Croatt, Nathan Hutton was unanimously elected Moderator and stated the Order of Business.
- Agenda. Announcement of agenda by Moderator (copy attached).
- Minutes. After review of the minutes by all present and on a motion by Bill Nytes/Peter Croatt, the Minutes of the 2025 Annual Meeting were approved; motion carried unanimously.
- Annual Board of Audit. Motion by Peter Croatt/Martin Ruehling to approve reading summary of Treasurer’s and Clerk’s Combined Summary Report instead of reading all line items from both reports and all transactions for 2025; carried unanimously. Nathan Hutton presented, read, and reviewed a summary of the Clerk’s and Treasurer’s Reports (copy attached). There was discussion of the financial status of the Township, potential election costs, and polling location. On a motion by Jeff Haag/Kimberly Carlberg, the Clerk’s and Treasurer’s Combined Summary Report was accepted as presented; carried unanimously.
- Sheriff’s Department Report. Sheriff’s Sergeant John Kvasnicka presented a report from the Scott County Sheriff’s Department (attached) and answered questions from those present, including regarding calls in 2025, shotgun/rifle deer hunting, expungements related to marijuana convictions, other issues with drug use in the Township/Scott County, staffing at Sheriff’s Department, impacts of family medical leave act, Sheriff’s/Community Academy, riot team, immigration enforcement in Township/Scott County/Hennepin County, and new canine unit.
- Road Report. Road Overseer Jeff Haag discussed the state of current road projects and maintenance and orally presented his written report (copy attached). There was discussion of trees needing trimming on Naylor – Township will contact City of New Prague regarding the issue because it is an area maintained by the City of New Prague. There was also discussion of the tree removal and planned replacement at Raven Stream Park.
- Levy. The levy for 2026 was discussed. There was discussion of budget, expected and previous costs, appropriate/necessary fund balances, planned road maintenance, election costs, increased oil prices, and Jordan Fire and New Prague Fire costs and future levy needs to cover the Township share of Fire Department purchases. The Township’s share of the roof replacement by Jordan Fire is $8,460.93/year for five years and the new ladder truck purchase is $13,844.60/year for ten years. Proposed levy is:
2025 for 2026 2026 for 2027
General $127,050.00 $127,050.00
Road & Bridge $249,310.00 $267,000.00
New Prague Fire $ 81,191.00 $ 81,192.00
Jordan Fire $ 31,500.00 $ 64,400.00
Total Levy $506,743.00 $539,642.00
Motion by Patricia Peterson/Bill Nytes to approve levy; carried unanimously. Resolution for levy will need to be drafted and approved at a regular or workshop meeting.
- Meeting/Workshop Schedule. There was discussion of scheduling meetings through the March 2027 regular meeting. Motion by Patricia Peterson/John Wermerskirchen to set the meeting schedule for 2026-2027 through the March 2027 regular meeting; carried unanimously. Unless otherwise indicated, regular meetings are the first Thursday of each month, workshop meetings are the third Wednesday of each month, and all meetings take place at 5 p.m. at the New Prague Fire and Ambulance building, 505 5th Avenue NW, New Prague, Minnesota, 56071.
Regular Regular Workshop Workshop
Meetings Meetings Meetings Meetings
09/3/2026 03/18/2026 09/16/2026
04/9/2026 10/8/2026 04/22/2026 10/21/2026
05/7/2026 11/5/2026 05/20/2026 11/18/2026
06/4/2026 12/3/2026 06/17/2026 12/16/2026
07/2/2026 01/7/2027 07/15/2026 01/20/2027
08/6/2026 02/4/2027 08/19/2026 02/17/2027
03/4/2027
- Depository. Discussion of current depository and Township needs. On a motion by Jeff Haag/Bill Nytes for the depository shall continue to be First Bank and Trust of New Prague; motion carried unanimously.
- Posting and Publishing. On a motion by DeAnn Croatt/John Wermerskirchen, Helena Township will (i) post notices at Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park at the posting location set up for Helena Township, (ii) publish the New Prague Times as long as the New Prague Times is available as a legal publication, and (iii) publish notices on its .gov website; motion carried unanimously.
- Park Expenditures. There was discussion of the removal of diseased ash trees at Raven Stream Park and replacement of the removed trees. Steve Rynda Construction and Landscape LLC provide good mowing and trimming services for the park. Quality Green provides weed control and fertilizing services for minimal cost. Motion by Kimberly Carlberg/DeAnn Croatt permitting Township to make expenditures for improvements and maintenance of Raven Stream Park; carried unanimously.
- Memorial/Recognition. Motion by DeAnn Croatt/Jeff Haag to authorize and adopt a Memorial and Recognition Fund of $200; carried unanimously.
- General Discussion. There was discussion other motions that could be approved at the Annual Meeting. Discussion of road maintenance scheduled in the engineer’s most recent five year road improvement plan, including 2027 Silver Maple Drive, Maple Court, and Hunters Ridge overlays, crack filling, and seal coating. No other items of concern were brought up.
- Business from the Floor. Discussion of guarantees in snowplowing contracts, Township mailbox/swing away post policy, and status of possible tire recycling event in 2026 or other event to use county allocated funds.
- Next Annual Meeting. Motion by Martin Ruehling/Peter Croatt to convene and call to order the 2027 Annual Meeting on 3/9/2027 at 8 p.m. (with backup date of 3/16/2027 at 8 p.m.) at the New Prague Fire Hall, 505 5th NW, New Prague, Minnesota 56071; carried unanimously.
- Adjourn Meeting. Motion by Bill Nytes/Jeff Haag at 9:35 p.m. adjourn meeting; carried unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted.
___________________________ ___________________________
Moderator Clerk
