Friday, May 30, 2014
St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
War
group for another encounter. The board’s planning commission, which tabled the matter last month for 30 days, will from front page try again to end hostilities at its The latest salvos from both June 20 meeting. The commissides were fired May 30 during sion will review new environa public township board meet- mental study data, including ing. More than 100 people filled aerial photos and topographical the hall’s seats and available maps of the pit site submitted standing room for a three-hour by Bauerly Bros., and make a recommendation to the townverbal scuffle. State Rep. Jeff Bertram ship board. The board, meanwhile, and Sen. Joseph Bertram, both DFL-Paynesville; Stearns wants to confer with its attorCounty Commissioner Rose Ar- ney, Kirby Dahl of Cold Spring, nold; and the Stearns County who was on vacation at the inEngineer Doug Weiszhaar ception of the battle. The board witnessed the fracas and pro- hopes to present a peace treaty at its next meeting on June 27. claimed their neutrality. At the May 30 meeting, both When the smoke cleared, little had changed. But the res- sides fired continuous rounds idents did win a small victory of facts and feelings, but opthrough the board’s vote to ponents of the plant far outlimit Bauerly’s gravel-crushing numbered Bauerly Bros. and its operation to the hours between township allies. The majority 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., five days army brought their attorney, Denis Hynes of St. Cloud, and a week. Unable, however, to score a submitted a petition against the fatal blow that evening, both plant signed by 250 persons. Opponents claim a 1979 sides retreated unhappily to re-
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township ordinance prohibits operations like Bauerly’s gravel-crushing pit. They further contend Bauerly’s effort to receive a conditional-use permit to operate an asphalt plant there for 21-and-a-half working days is a “foot-in-the-door approach for further similar permits.” “There’s some question in my mind whether what is happening now is permissible photo by Stuart Goldschen under your ordinance,” Hynes Bauerly Bros. secretary Mark Bauerly defends his company’s told the board. “The ordinance position in Collegeville “war” before packed house at the townallows for a small gravel pit. It ship’s board of supervisors meeting May 30. doesn’t permit enlargement or expansion. What’s happening would be temporary and have strife. Board members feared out here, from all appearances a minimal impact on residents legal repercussions, however, to me, is strip mining.” should they terminate the war and the environment. Bauerly Bros. secretary Mark “If the operation were out- then and there, before consultBauerly, who supervises the side the township, there would ing their attorney. pit site, said the ordinance’s be an increase in damage and “There’s lots of legal work grandfather clause permitted exposure to traffic,” Bauerly to do,” said Eldred Ruegemer, the gravel-crushing work his said. “We can avoid traffic and a township board member. “It company is doing because it is safety problems by being as doesn’t look like we’re going to not unlike work done there be- close to our projects as possi- settle anything quickly. It may fore the ordinance was passed. ble.” be months – or a year – before He said he feels his application Watching both sides thrust we decide what to do here.” for an asphalt plant should and parry, the township board The war, meanwhile, goes be approved because the plant struggled for an answer to the on.
Caramel Roll Ride set for June 14 by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com
or 30 miles round trip. Eastern sota Bike Club. riders can check out the annual The western ride begins in Celebration of the Arts event in Albany and travels to Freeport, The 15th annual Caramel Avon and can travel an off-trail then to Melrose for a total ride Roll Ride will be held Saturday, ride at St. John’s University. of 12 miles or 24 miles round June 14 on the Lake Wobegon The northern ride begins in trip. Western riders can include Regional Trail. Albany and travels to Holding- a tour to Hemker Park and Zoo Check in and registration is ford, then to Bowlus, then to at Freeport and the Whispering from 8-10 a.m. Helmets are re- the Mississippi River and then Oaks Winery south of Melrose. quired. to Hwy. 10 for a total ride of Money raised helps provide Almost 300 people partici- 23 miles or 46 miles round for the Lake Wobegon Trail Aspated in the ride last year. De- trip. Northern riders can view sociation’s promotion of the licious, sticky caramel rolls are the longest covered bridge in trail. Part of the proceeds of available at various locations on Minnesota at Holdingford. Ham- the ride will go toward efforts the ride. burgers and brats will be sold by to plant more trees and shrubs The ride begins in Albany. the Lions Club and the Minne- along the trail and also toward There is a northern, western and eastern ride. The eastern 78th ANNUAL ride begins in Albany and travels east to Avon, then to the Collegeville/SJU link and to St. Joseph for a total ride of 15 miles Roofing • Siding • Gutters • Windows • Metal Roofs HAAG™ Certified Roof Inspectors for hail/wind
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Tuesday, June 3
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Serving starts at 11:30 a.m. until ??? Everybody Welcome
EntErtainmEnt 1-4:30 p.m. Jerry’s Concertina 8 p.m. - midnight Loss 4 Words
efforts to extend the trail to the Mississippi River in downtown St. Cloud for the Saintly Seven project.
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