BEMIDJI — An estimated 350 citizens packed the Beltrami County Fairground 4-H building Tuesday evening for a public comment period on the Northern Township and Bemidji contested boundary trial.

Given the chance to speak directly to Judge Jessica Palmer-Denig, residents overwhelmingly shared support for Northern Township's incorporation petition.

Of 35 speakers, 26 directly supported incorporation; four spoke against Northern Township's proposed wastewater treatment facility; three asked the judge to make a positive ruling for both municipalities; one shared direct support of Bemidji's annexation petition and one said they didn't favor either solution, asking for things to remain as is.

One resident presented Judge Palmer-Denig a petition with 1,179 signatures, showing support for

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