Members of the Lutsen Fire Department and several citizens continue to meet to try to determine whether the township needs to expand its fire hall and town hall—and what the expansion would look like. At the July 19 town meeting, Fire Chief Paul Goettl presented some preliminary drawings from local architect Larry Boen, but reported that questions about the septic system had delayed the planning.
Goettl said discovering the boundaries of the township’s drain field may change the plans that had been discussed. Goettl said since a 20-foot setback is required from a septic system, it would preclude expanding the building to the south, into the existing parking area, which had been considered. “Or, if we wanted to go that way, we would have to move the drain field,” said Goettl.
“So we need to scratch our heads and figure out what we want to do,” said Goettl. “Do we want to reconfigure more of the existing building?”
“Or do we want to build the fire hall here and the town hall at the park?” asked Supervisor Marland Hansen.
The town board asked the fire department and citizens to meet again to try to develop a proposal to present to citizens at the Tuesday, August 16 continuation of the township annual meeting. The board noted that $1,500 had been invested on the preliminary sketches.
Cemetery Association invoices questioned
Supervisors Hansen and Diane Parker, absent Supervisor Joe Buttweiler, reviewed a request for payment of invoices from the Lutsen Cemetery Association and denied payment of three invoices. The board approved an invoice from surveyor Jeff Brett, noting that the township had agreed to contribute up to $10,000 annually to the cemetery association for improvements to the cemetery. Hansen and Parker agreed that survey work was a valid expense, however the other invoices—for post office box rental, property taxes, and newspaper advertising were not. A unanimous motion passed to pay $1,500 to surveyor Jeff Brett.
Parker said the other expenses were operating expenses, not improvements. “It might not have been made clear,” said Parker.
Questions about use of 1 percent funds
County Commissioner Bruce Martinson was at the July meeting and gave an update on projects being considered for construction with the county’s 1 percent sales and use tax, in particular, the Arrowhead Electric Cooperative Inc. request for $4 million for its broadband/ fiber optic construction. Martinson noted that other requests for use of the 1 percent funding have been introduced, such as an expansion to the Cook County Historical Society museum building, improvements to Gunflint Hills Golf Course in Grand Marais, and improvements to the Hovland Town Hall playground.
Supervisor Hansen said, “I thought the projects had to be on the plate during the referendum.”
Supervisor Parker replied, “This is the problem with the whole 1 percent. It’s nebulous. People thought they were voting for broadband. At one time there were seven projects listed, which included Superior National at Lutsen. Now it seems as if we have people coming from everywhere with their hands out because there is money.”
Lutsen Treasurer John Groth said, “If the criteria is just recreation, maybe Lutsen should put in for a piece of the pie. Maybe we should ask for money for our ball field.”
“These may be good, worthy projects, but a line has to be drawn somewhere,” said Parker.
In other business:
Treasurer John Groth said he had a citizen concern. He said just past the driveway at 286 Caribou Trail, the culvert has washed out and the shoulder of the road is deteriorating. He said it has been marked with a traffic cone and flag, but the grass has grown to the point that the caution is not very visible. Martinson said he would talk to the county highway department about the situation.
Groth also suggested that the township ask for a deposit from people renting the town hall. He said renters should also be required to clean up and take away any trash and if they do not, the deposit could be used to hire someone to clean and/or remove items. The matter came to light after a rummage sale was held at the town hall and a piece of furniture was left behind. Supervisor Hansen said he would contact the individuals to remove the item but agreed that there should be a policy.
Clerk Amity Goettl said the township had been contacted by a group of kayakers that would like to camp at the Lutsen Town Park. Supervisor Marland Hansen said the park is a stop on the Lake Superior Kayak Tour, but it is just a rest stop. Hansen said it is not set up for camping. Supervisor Diane Parker agreed and the board asked Goettl to tell them it would not be allowed.
The township accepted a $500 donation from the Caribou Lake Property Owner’s Association to be designated to the fund for a new building.
The continuation of the Lutsen Township Annual Meeting will be at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 16 at the Lutsen Town/Fire Hall at 116 Caribou Trail.
The regular monthly meeting of the board of supervisors will follow the annual meeting.
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