Paul Nelson of Lutsen casts his vote at the Lutsen Town Hall on March 9.
Before heading to town meetings at Tofte and Schroeder, Commissioner Bruce Martinson gave Lutsen citizens an update on the county’s work to establish a broadband Internet system throughout the county at the Lutsen Township annual meeting on Tuesday, March 9. He introduced Arrowhead Electric Cooperative Inc. Manager Don Stead to explain its plan to work with Pulse Broadband, a company based in Missouri. Scott Harrison, a member of the Cook County Broadband Committee, said the chance of the county receiving a grant is greater if it works with Arrowhead and an established company. Stead agreed, noting that Pulse has worked with 40 cooperatives.
Paul Nelson, a Tait Lake resident, asked if the plan was to run broadband Internet up the Caribou Trail. When Stead said broadband would be available everywhere there is power, Nelson said, “I’m glad you are pursuing this. We have satellite for our computers and no landlines— this is very limiting and very expensive.”
Arrowhead Electric Cooperative, Inc. Manager Don Stead (standing) talks to Lutsen citizens about the cooperative’s proposal to proceed with a countywide broadband internet service.
Charles Skinner asked if the county would be asked to provide some of the 1% sales tax revenue to support the new plan. Commissioner Martinson said he believed the county should support this, to help reduce the amount needed to be borrowed. (See related story above).
Harrison asked if the township would support the modified plan to bring broadband to the county. Paul Nelson made a motion to support Arrowhead in its pursuit of broadband and the motion passed unanimously.
Birch Grove donation discussed
When the proposed budget was reviewed, Jessa Wallendahl, director of the Birch Grove Foundation, was asked to explain the need for a $3,500 donation to the foundation. Wallendahl said that anything not related to the Birch Grove Community School is supported by the foundation. Wallendahl said some new things have been added to the foundation’s activities—Early Childhood Family Education gym time and a Public Health & Human Service safe visitation site. She said in recognition of the current economy, the foundation was asking for the same donation amount as it had in previous years.
Paul Goettl asked what the other two townships have contributed toward Birch Grove and Wallendahl said Schroeder has donated $3,500 in the past. She said Tofte has not made a direct financial donation, but that it pays expenses to maintain the building, which it owns. As an example, she said, Tofte recently paid for a ditching project on the school grounds.
Goettl asked if Birch Grove had any idea how many Lutsen taxpayers used the building and its services. Wallendahl said in addition to Lutsen children attending school at Birch Grove, there are a lot of Lutsen people who play volleyball at the school. Pam McDougall said she teaches an AARP safe driving class at Birch Grove, attended by numerous people from all three townships.
Supervisor Diane Parker made a motion to once again donate $3,500 to the Birch Grove Foundation. The citizens in attendance all said aye to pass the motion.
Township continues
quest for cairn
Supervisor Diane Parker gave a report on the township’s quest to obtain a Scenic Byways cairn sign. Parker said the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission (ARDC) was seeking a Federal Highway Administration grant to help the townships meet the cost of $22,000 per sign. Parker said the grant could possibly be $17,000 so the town would have to match it $5,000. However, she said the town could ask ARDC to pursue the grant without committing to the $5,000 contribution.
Parker said she would like to see Lutsen get a cairn sign. “We have two choices. The rock cairn sign or the green Mn/DOT signs we have now.”
” Sue Hansen asked if the township had any say in where a cairn sign would be located. Parker said she is not sure. Hansen said, “We have a plan for the township. We talked about our identity. If the sign can be worked into our plan, that would be good.”
Hansen noted that the Lutsen town plan called for some sort of “Welcome to Lutsen” sign at Ray Berglund wayside rest. Supervisor Joe Buttweiler said that could be decided later—if a grant is received. Charles Skinner made a motion to send a letter of support to the ARDC for the grant, with acceptance of the grant contingent on placement. Mike Larson suggested keeping the grant and the sign placement separate. Jim Vick agreed and suggested that the town send a letter of support for the grant and set up a public meeting to determine the best sign location if and when the grant is approved. The motion passed as amended by Jim Vick.
Fireworks request
frowned upon
Another request did not see the same success. Town Clerk Amity Goettl read a letter from the town of Tofte, seeking an increase in the amount Lutsen contributes for the 4th of July fireworks at the Tofte Town Park. The letter did not ask for a specific amount, but stated that the town of Tofte anticipated a major increase to conduct the fireworks display this year because it must hire a certified pyrotechnics specialist. Treasurer John Groth said nothing had been budgeted for fireworks in 2010.
“If they want a donation in 2010, they will need to come request it. For 2011, they will be able to give us exact numbers and we could get it in our budget. They will know by then what it will actually cost,” said Groth.
Citizens debated whether the town should contribute, noting that there are fireworks at Lutsen Mountains several times during the year. One attendee commented, “Maybe we should ask Tofte for a donation for the Lutsen fireworks.”
No action was taken regarding the donation request—it was not voted on, to approve or deny.
The township approved and set the 2011 Lutsen levy at $123,750 for the fire department and $32,500 for the general levy.
A final matter of business was the announcement of election results. A total of 31 ballots was cast, with several blank or defective ballots submitted. There were two write-in votes for the supervisor seat, one for Paul Quinn and one for Mike Ross. Clerk Amity Goettl and Supervisor Joe Buttweiler were re-elected with a count of 27 votes each.
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