Minnesota Session Laws - 1997, Regular Session

                            CHAPTER 170-S.F.No. 1266 
                  An act relating to local government; authorizing town 
                  electors to require the removal of snow or ice from 
                  town roads in certain circumstances; proposing coding 
                  for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 366. 
        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
           Section 1.  [366.016] [VOTE REQUIRED ON SNOW AND ICE 
        REMOVAL.] 
           Subdivision 1.  [BALLOT; CONTENT.] The town board at the 
        annual town election may submit to a vote by ballot the 
        following question:  "Shall persons who own or occupy real 
        estate that adjoins a town road and is not a part of an 
        incorporated municipality be required to remove snow or ice, or 
        both, that has been caused to be deposited by the property owner 
        or occupant upon the town road right-of-way adjacent to their 
        land? 
                                           Yes .......
                                           No ........"
           Subd. 2.  [COST; LIEN ON LAND.] If a majority of the 
        electors voting on the question vote "Yes," a person who owns or 
        occupies real estate that adjoins a town road and is not a part 
        of an incorporated municipality shall remove the material 
        described on the ballot located upon the town road right-of-way 
        adjacent to the owner's land.  If a person fails to comply with 
        this provision, the town board of the town in which the real 
        estate is located may, after ten days' mailed notice, 
        accompanied by an affidavit of service, cause the removal of 
        snow or ice, or both.  The expense of the removal shall be a 
        lien on the real estate.  The town board shall certify to the 
        county auditor an itemized statement of the amount of the 
        expense incurred by the town.  The county auditor shall enter 
        the amount on the tax books a tax upon the land, which shall be 
        collected in the same manner as other real estate taxes. 
           Presented to the governor May 16, 1997 
           Signed by the governor May 19, 1997, 1:07 p.m.