The Township of Tofte has a lot of hoops to jump through this year in order to offer the same festivities it has been offering on the Fourth of July for the last 46 years. On May 10, the township board discussed numerous applications that had to be approved.
Clerk Barb Gervais reported that the sheriff has to sign off on their application for a fireworks permit, and they need to have four people properly trained to deal with closing off the Tofte Park Road during the parade. Board Chair Paul James said they have too many forms to fill out.
James said the fireworks professional they have hired does everything “by the book.” Birch Grove Foundation Director Patty Nordahl said Rescue Squad Chief Louise Trachta told her that no one on the rescue squad has training in handling road closures, but Gunflint Trail Fire Chief Mike Prom said he would help.
With numerous fire departments and other emergency response workers in the parade itself, a lot of people with training will be in attendance. “We’re going to have more trained people…in the Fourth of July parade than perhaps anywhere in the sevencounty area,” said Supervisor Jim King.
In addition to numerous outdoor sports amenities, a warming house, picnic area, and timber-framed classroom, the Birch Grove Community Center will be adding an outdoor brick bread-making oven to the renovations being done on the grounds this summer. Patty Nordahl asked the Tofte Township Board for $1,000 to help with the cost of building the oven.
Nordahl said the foundation has budgeted $6,500 for the oven, but they need help building it. They have an instructor lined up to teach a class on building this type of oven and hope up to 10 people will sign up to take it. The class will be held September 9-13, and scholarships are available.
The oven will need to be set on an 8’ x 10’ concrete pad. The board discussed the possibility of paying for the pad out of the county’s 1 Percent Recreation and Infrastructure Tax revenue that will be funding the other improvements. Alan “D.C.” Olsen estimated the cost would be about $500. The board approved a grant of $1,000 to the foundation for the oven plus any needed support for building the concrete pad.
The project and the team building the oven has been named “HOBBIT” – Hearth Oven Bread Baking Initiative Team. The oven will be ready for the Birch Grove Community Center renovation grand opening Nordahl is planning for September 29.
Senior housing
Supervisor James reported that the township’s attorney recommended that they solicit other proposals before entering a contract with Bremer Properties for the development of a senior housing facility on Birch Grove property. He said they have had numerous other developers consider a senior housing project but Bremer Properties owner Robert Bremer is the only one who has been willing to take the project this far. They have a good track record, he said.
The board asked Clerk Gervais to set up a meeting with Bremer, his project manager Dick Grabko, and the township’s attorney from Fryberger, Buchanan, Smith & Frederick of Duluth. The board will study and evaluate the proposal, Supervisor King said.
Nordahl asked if they would be soliciting input from potential residents of such a facility. “Yes,” said James, “they will be included in the planning process.”
Citizen Jerry Gervais suggested they go down and look at projects Bremer has done in Red Wing. Supervisor King said he has seen some of them and they are “pretty nice.” He said he was willing to go down and investigate some more.
“We’re trying to keep the project transparent,” said James. “It needs to be done properly. It is government money and everybody needs to have a fair shake. …We need to do our due diligence.”
Fire and rescue
Supervisor Jim King gave the fire and rescue report on behalf of Fire Chief Richie Nelson and Rescue Squad Chief Louise Trachta. In the past month, there had been a chimney fire at Bluefin and a brush fire near Aspenwood caused by illegal burning. Things had been quiet for the Rescue Squad.
Cemetery survey
The board gave Jeff Brett the goahead to mark the boundaries of the Tofte Cemetery at an estimated cost of $500— $125/hour for a two-person crew. They discussed whether to have a roadway on the northern perimeter but decided that would not be needed at this point.
The board authorized the purchase of three gravestones at approximately $119 each to mark old graves that are currently unmarked.
The new cemetery policy will now be enforced. Death certificates will be required so the township has a complete record of each site.
Mountain bike trail loan
The board passed a resolution regarding guaranteeing a loan the Sugarbush Trail Association would be obtaining from a bank for an addition to the mountain bike trail system in Tofte. The association will also receive a loan from the township, which will come from Tofte’s share of the lodging tax. The document reserves the township’s right to levy the loan amounts if necessary but the board does not anticipate needing to do that.
Commissioner’s report
County Commissioner Bruce Martinson said TV network A&E had contacted Cook County employees about doing a segment on the courthouse shooting last December.
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