The Leighton Township Board Thursday evening agreed to let GVL Excavating move ahead with plans to remove sand at 329 144^th Ave. to prepare a site for residential development.

The board voted 4-0 for an ordinance amendment that would remove a stipulation that the operation’s outlet be on a County Primary Road. The road actually is a County Improved Road, having been freshly paved just two years ago.

Township Board members agreed the condition of the road is equal to or better than a primary road.

Township Supervisor Steve Wolbrink noted the repaving project “was pricey… and we don’t want to see it damaged.”

Developer Gordon VanderLaan agreed, saying, “ I drove that road myself when it was bad.”

VanderLaan promised that trucks removing and hauling sand would take the material to the east in order to avoid Green Lake residential areas.

In other business Thursday, the Township Board:

• Declined to get involved with a proposal from Hopkins Township for a 425 agreement to provide sanitary sewer service.

Wolbrink said, “The amount of pipe and lift station (costs) would eat into the profit margin (of Dorr-Leighton Sewer). Furthermore, Dorr already has declined the proposal and word on the street is that Hopkins Township instead has come up with a 425 agreement for sewer service from the Village of Hopkins.

• Received a proposal from Brian Bollone to build a pickleball court near the entrance to the parking lot the township hall and library.

Bollone said the sport’s popularity has exploded because even older folks can play and the courts are much small than for tennis. He not such facilities have gotten solid response at the Wayland City Park, Curly Cone at Gun Lake and Caledonia.

He told board members he believes two pickleball courts would greatly enhance recreational opportunities for Moline and Leighton Township residents, particularly older citizens.

“Older people are looking for something to do without hurting themselves,” said Bollone, who mentioned he used to be an avid tennis player in his younger years.

• Adopted a resolution to establish an industrial development district for Classic Transportation on 147^th Avenue, which will enable the firm to seek tax abatements.
• Granted final plat approval for Phase III of the Harvest Meadows residential development project.
• Was told by Chief Matt Weston the fire department is closing in on breaking last year’s record for most calls. It has received 316 as of mid-October while last year’s total count was 326.
• Approved the snow plowing bid from Potts Landscaping for $86 per time for the township hall and library parking lot, $54 per time for the Fire Station No. 2 parking lot at Green Lake and $50 per time at Station No. 1 in Moline.
• Approved the appointments of Bradley Geers and Matt Vanduyn to seats on the Township Planning Commission.