As spring has officially begun, we are working diligently to rehab the granite roads from the winter season and the freeze/thaw cycles of early spring. One of the main issues we face is soft spots in the road ways as the frost leaves the ground, some of which will turn into a frost boil and push water up through the road bed.   We monitor these frost boils and make corrections needed to try and heal them up as quickly as we can, but can only go as fast as the freeze/thaw cycle allows. Moisture is a fine line that we walk on our roads.  If you live and drive them daily, you know! Too much water and the gravel becomes too saturated and the vehicle traffic will eventually cause some potholes. Too dry and we have to combat washboards and dust.

Dust control is utilized throughout the entire Township and is generally applied in June. In the meantime you will see the motor graders out, especially after a rainfall, grading the roads and trying to keep them as smooth as possible for everyone. We try to avoid grading the roads in dry conditions, loose aggregate leads to washboards faster and it's a lot harder on the equipment. Once dust control is applied, we do our very best to try and not disturb the gravel roads as the product used t0 control dust acts as a binder and helps hold the roadway together nicely.

Thank you in advance for allowing the proper space for us to do all our work safely whether it be grading the roads in the motor graders or trimming trees. We all have families to go home to at the end of the day.  Happy Spring!


Thank you,

Joshua Marlette

Sr. Franklin Township Maintenance


DID YOU KNOW?

It is unlawful to perform unauthorized work with a road right-of-way (ROW), as well as, to deposit snow, grass clippings or other debris on or next to a public highway or street per MN Statute 160.2715. The Township ROW is 66 feet, extending 33 ft. from the center of the road. Tree trimming in the ROW will be done by the Township employees. Other trimming, not in the ROW, is the homeowners responsibility.

PARKING AND SNOW PLOWING Franklin Township prohibits parking any motor vehicle, machinery or implement on any township street between the hours of 2 am and 7 am during the winter season; November 1 through April 1 of the next year.  There is no parking on any street after a snowfall of 2 inches or more until the street has been plowed. Violators will be towed.  

Franklin Township would also like to remind all township residents and businesses of the Minnesota State Statute 160.2715 which prohibits plowing, shoveling, blowing or in any way depositing snow on any public road.   Snow may not be moved or pushed across any township road from your residence or business.  If you have someone that plows your driveway, please make them aware of this statue.  Thank you for helping to keep our township safe for all!

The mailbox support is the personal property of the homeowner and allowed in the ROW. To help reduce your liability, consider a swing-away mailbox support. Mailbox should be a minimum of 42” above road and 3’ back from gravel edge. For more information on these supports, contact the Township Hall.

911 signs make it easy for emergency vehicles to find the way to your home. The purpose of the 911 Act was to improve public safety by facilitating seamless communication infrastructure for emergency vehicles. If you have never had one or need a new one, please contact the Township Hall.

Driveway permit and 911 signs link

Right of Way Permits

Right of Way Permit Application

Noxius Weeds

It is the goal of Franklin Township to provide safe Right of Ways for the traveling public which includes spraying for noxious weeds such as; thistles, poison ivy, wild parsnip and yellow mustard that exist in the Right of Ways.  The elimination of noxious weeds and brush is required by the Minnesota Noxious Weed Law.  The Township will control the spread of noxious weeds and brush, when it exists along the roadside, by spot spraying appropriate chemicals directly to the noxious weeds and mowing throughout the growing season.
Residents who do not want their ditches sprayed for these weeds, if they exist, must notify the Township by May 31 by email–franklintwnshp@gmail.com.  Along with your request to not spray, please send your name and address and also indicate how you will be removing the noxious weeds from the ditch Right of Way.  Any questions, please contact the town hall by email or call 763.923.4284.

Snow Removal and Township Roads

The snow, which may be left on the roadway or piles of snow left on the side of the road, can create real hazards not only for motorists but also for snow removal crews and equipment. In the past, snowplows have been damaged when hitting compacted and frozen snow deposited on or next to the roads.

Minnesota Statutes (160.27, Subdivision 5) prohibits plowing, shoveling, blowing or in any way depositing snow on any public highway. The violation is punishable as a misdemeanor. In addition, the property owner and/or person dumping the snow could be liable should a civil lawsuit result.

Snowplow safety tips

Make sure to educate children on the dangers of snow removal and make sure they play safely! Please remind them to:

—Never build tunnels or snow forts in the snowbanks near a street. The force and weight of the snow coming off the plows can collapse the tunnels or forts and harm/or bury the child.

—Keep sleds and toys out of the street and away from the edge of the road. Snowbanks can make it hard for plow drivers to see children playing in these areas.

Garbage and Recycling Cans in the roadway

Every year snowplow drivers have incidents with garbage and recycling cans being placed in the roadway.

Did you know the reach on a garbage/recycle truck is 12 feet? Cans should be placed near the end of a homeowner’s driveway, approximately 3 feet back from where the driveway meets the roadway. This also applies to paved shoulder roadways and in curb areas. This helps us clear snow in a timely fashion and limit the potential hazards created when the cans are placed too far out into the roadway.

5 Tips for Sharing the Road with our Snowplows

  • Start to slow down as soon as you see the snowplow and stay at least 5 car lengths (70 feet) back.

  • Don’t stop too close.

  • Give the snowplow room to work.

  • Take extreme caution when passing.

  • Permit the plow extra room in a high risk areas.