Annual township meeting tradition continues Tuesday

One of the oldest traditions in the history of Minnesota carries on Tuesday in the annual township meetings. The township system of government was established as part of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, which included the northeast portion of today's Minnesota as a territory. Areas of land were divided into 36-square-mile units called congressional townships.

Today, the term "township" refers to organized but unincorporated areas of the state usually governed by a three-person board of supervisors and a clerk and a treasurer.

The chief responsibility for the boards lies in the upkeep of township roads and bridges. Boards also deal with joint participation in fire protection services and, in areas close to cities, shared municipal services such as water and sewer.

There are 1,781 townships in Minnesota - 19 in Carlton County - compared to 853 cities in 87 counties. There are more than 900,000 people who live in Minnesota townships, about 16 percent of the total population. Of Carlton County's estimated 35,498 residents, 15,954 live in townships, or 44 percent. There are unorganized areas in the county - in the Pine Knot News coverage area, four of them are west of Cloquet in Sawyer, Corona, Progress and Red Clover. Those areas are governed and taxed via the county.

As seen in the variety across the state, Carlton's township populations run from sparse to relatively populated. State figures show that 53 percent of townships have a population of 300 or fewer people. The smallest in Carlton County is Beseman Township, with 133 residents. The largest is Thomson, which includes Esko, with 5,141 residents.

The annual meeting - always held on the second Tuesday of March - is a chance for residents to discuss issues, especially the levy amount they will be taxed for services. The meeting has traditionally also been an election day. Today, many Minnesota townships have opted to have elections in the November cycle, chiefly to cut down on polling place costs and to add convenience for residents. In the Pine Knot News coverage area, roughly the northern half of the county, just one of the 10 townships will hold an election of officers on Tuesday.

Residents are encouraged to bring any relevant issues up at the meetings, which begin at 7 p.m. unless, as in Lakeview, there is an election, with the meeting beginning after the polls close at 8 p.m.

The main item on annual meeting agendas is setting a preliminary levy. These budgets remain fluid until levies are set in the fall.

Most of the 11 Carlton County townships listed below will see either no change in the budget or just a minimal increase, usually driven by road construction needs. Carlton County's 19 townships had expenditures of $6,144,857 in 2017, according to the state auditor's office.

Here is a rundown of what residents can expect at township meetings in the northern part of the county, according to clerks in each jurisdiction. All meetings begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. If the historic nature of these proceedings weren't enough, the meetings often include homemade treats and refreshments.

Beseman Township

Located in the far northwest corner of Carlton County, there are 133 residents here. It was named after an early German settler, Ernst Beseman.

Township officials were expected to discuss the proposed levy at its regular meeting this week. It isn't expected to vary much from the $35,000 budget of last year and will be discussed at the annual meeting.

Lakeview Township

Located on the western edge of the county, the city of Wright falls within its borders. The township, with a population of 184, was named for its handful of lakes, including Tamarack.

It will hold an election Tuesday for one supervisor and a treasurer position. Polls will be open 3-8 p.m. The annual meeting begins after the polls close. Supervisors will discuss keeping the levy at $40,000.

Eagle Township

Located west of Cloquet and bordered on the north by the city of Cromwell and the unorganized Red Clover Township, the population here is 560. The township shares its name with the prominent lake within its borders.

On the agenda Tuesday will be a levy expected to remain near the $66,000 of past years. There will also be a discussion about moving to a mail-in ballot system for residents on Election Day, meaning the township would no longer host an election polling station.

Perch Lake Township

Bordering the Cloquet area on the west, this is home to a large portion of the Fond du Lac Reservation. It has a population of 1,028.

It expects to hold its levy at $139,000. There will also be updates on the Big Lake Area Sanitary District, Cloquet Area Fire District, and possible improvements to Big Lake Road.

Atkinson Township

Located just southwest of Cloquet, it was named after early settler John Atkinson, a land examiner for the St. Paul and Duluth Railroad. Its population is 418. The levy of $39,000 is not expected to change.

Mahtowa Township

The township includes the town of Mahtowa, southwest of Cloquet, and is named after indigenous names for "bear," mahto and makwa. The population is 550. The discussion at the annual meeting will surround keeping the levy at $130,000.

Blackhoof Township

Named after the Ojibwe translation of the lake and creek that runs through it, the population here is 753. There is no increase expected on the $85,000 levy.

Twin Lakes Township

Located just south of Cloquet, this is the home of Carlton County's meager beginnings as the first place with non-native inhabitants along the Military Road. The town of Twin Lakes was once the county seat. The township has 2,114 residents.

A levy of $947,000 is up slightly due to road work, including the in-progress reconstruction on Gillogly Road. That will be discussed at the annual meeting along with the proposed waterline from Carlton to the Minnesota Highway 210 business district.

Thomson Township

Home of the historic towns of Thomson and Esko, this is the largest township in the county by population, with 5,141 residents. That concentration of people is second only to neighbor Cloquet in the county.

An increase of just over 3 percent on the levy, to $1,602,191, will be discussed at the annual meeting. Similar increases have been seen the past several years as infrastructure needs have grown with the population.

Silver Brook Township

The township surrounds the city of Wrenshall and has a population of 642. There are no immediate road or bridge projects planned, and the levy is expected to remain at $96,000.

Wrenshall Township

Located south of Silver Brook and the city of Wrenshall, its population is 382. The name comes from C.C. Wrenshall, a bridge maintenance worker on the Northern Pacific rail line.

An unchanged levy of $40,000 will be on the agenda at the annual meeting.