The Tofte Town Board covered a variety of topics at its January 8, 2015 meeting, many related to the operation of the Birch Grove Community Center and new construction under way there.
Supervisor Jeanne Larson gave an update on the $2.2 million 12-unit Tofte senior housing project that will be built on township land behind the Birch Grove Community Center.
In the last month, Larson, who was appointed project manager, has met with Jody Anderson of DSGW Architects and Joe Jurewicz from MSA Professional Service to make certain permit applications were submitted to Cook County Planning and Zoning.
“I’m starting to meet with marketing people and will meet with our attorney and try to determine who should carry the insurance for this project. We should have that information for the January 13 special meeting,” she said.
Town Clerk Barb Gervais gave an update on several maintenance issues that have needed attending to at the Birch Grove Community Center. Gervais said several lights have been fixed, vegetable oil has been poured down drains to keep them open and the gym door probably doesn’t need to be replaced, “but probably does need new hardware.”
Gervais also said she will meet with Phil Bonin, a locksmith, and show him several doors that need to be re-keyed.
Supervisor Jim King said he had met with two individuals who wanted to help get the ice rink flooded so they could begin skating on it. King asked August “Augie” Schauland if he could help flood the rink and he said he could. Schauland helps with maintenance at the Birch Grove Community Center.
Supervisors commend rescue workers
Tofte Fire Chief Rich Nelson wasn’t on hand to give his report so Co-Rescue Squad Leader Kim Jahnke filled in. “There weren’t any fire calls in December,” said Jahnke, “But search and rescue had three calls.”
“Were any of those serious?” asked Supervisor Jim King.
“Yes. The call to Bluefin was,” said Jahnke.
That call on December 23, 2014 involved two men who drowned in Lake Superior. One was washed from the shore into the lake and another gentleman went in to save him, losing is life in the process.
“I was in Minneapolis when that happened but I’ve heard nothing but good reports about the actions of the Tofte rescue squad and workers from Bluefin who came to help out. You are all to be commended for your actions,” Supervisor King said.
New commissioner gives update
Newly elected West End Commissioner Ginny Storlie came before the board for the first time since winning the commissioner seat.
Commissioner Storlie said she was appointed to 25 boards in the first meeting of the year. She said she tried to take appointments that will help her represent the West End, citing her appointments to the Arrowhead Regional Development Board, Broadband Commission, Cook County Health Care Planning Committee, Gitchi-Gami Trail Association Committee and the Poplar River Management Board to name a few.
Storlie also said she would like to serve on the Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Agency (EDA) because of its involvement with the Superior National at Lutsen golf course.
In other business
. The board postponed setting February 17 as the date to hold a budget-planning meeting because of conflicts with supervisors’ schedules. A new date will be set at the township’s next meeting.
. A Board of Audit meeting will be held prior to the start of the township’s February 12 meeting. The Board of Audit should only take a few minutes, said Clerk Gervais, so the regular meeting will begin at 7 p.m. like usual.
. Gervais said the township’s annual meeting will be held March 10 at 8 p.m. King said he hoped a lot of people would be there so they could get input on what should be put on the agenda for the April 15 Tofte Township comprehensive planning meeting. There isn’t a time set for the comprehensive planning meeting at this time.
. The board appointed three election judges to preside over the upcoming general election in March—Diane Norman, Julie Rannetsberger and Tammy Rude. Those three plus township clerk Barb Gervais were also appointed to the absentee ballot board.
. For the third year in a row Dori Betts was hired to take charge of the Tofte 4th of July celebration. Because the 4th will fall on Saturday this year, the township should have a large attendance to its all-day festivities.
“She’s done a very good job for us,” said King. Jeanne Larson and Gervais agreed with him.
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