A large part of the Tofte town meeting on Thursday, May 19 was spent discussing the finishing work for the fire department pump and pumphouse at the Tofte Park—including how to safely enclose the large hole where the pump is sitting on the lakeshore.
Firefighter Dave Rude told the town board that there is an approximately 10-foot deep hole that has no protection around it. He asked if the town should put some sort of railing around it. Supervisor Paul James asked if steel mesh could be placed over it. Rude said that could be done, but added that in the winter the mesh could ice up and be a hazard for firefighters, slowing access to the pump. He said the mesh may also encourage people to walk on it. Fire Chief Rich Nelson said a chain link fence would also ice up.
The board discussed how to proceed and agreed that it was too soon to advertise for the work, since it isn’t clear exactly what should be done. Nelson said the fire department could put together a drawing of what they feel is needed. “Some of it’s aesthetics,” he said. “We don’t want some prison-looking thing out there.”
Nelson and Rude said they would bring a drawing to June meeting. The board agreed to at least put up a caution sign and some sort of fencing immediately, while they try to figure out the safest way to cover the hole. Supervisor Allan D.C. Olsen said the town has orange snow fencing that it purchased when the Birch Grove Community Center’s septic system was under construction. He said that could be used temporarily. Nelson, Rude, and Olson will install the fencing for now.
The board reviewed quotes from West End Excavating and Peak Electric on the remaining electrical work for the pump house. West End Excavating submitted the lowest bid, at $2,500. Supervisor Tom Muntean noted that they were both qualified to do the work, so he made a motion to accept the low bid. The motion carried unanimously.
The board agreed to hire Dave Monson to complete some other work on the pump house— installing a door knob, rain guard, a mount for lighting at an expense of $190.
Supervisor Olsen asked if the lights at the pump house were to be left on or off. He noted that people in the neighborhood would not like it if the lights were always on. Firefighter Dave Rude said the outside lights would be off until someone unlocks the door. “They will only be on during a fire,” he said.
In other fire department business, Fire Chief Rich Nelson said the department had applied for two federal emergency management agency (FEMA) grants in hopes of obtaining a Tactical Tender and a remote nozzle for the department’s ladder truck.
West End emergency medical service
EMS Chief Louise Trachta said things have been going well, with a half-dozen emergency calls so far this year. The medical service recently had to spend $450 on an Evacu-Splint which is inflated to mobilize a patient. Tofte EMS has had the special splint since the 80’s. “It’s gotten a lot of use,” said Trachta.
Supervisor James told Trachta that Schroeder had paid for its services from the Tofte Rescue Squad and had acknowledged that there may be an increase in the charge next year. James told his colleagues that the EMS department believes an increase is in order because Schroeder is just paying the cost of emergency responses. Their contribution does not cover any of Tofte’s capital expenditures. “We need to figure out the costs of our building maintenance, vehicle replacement, and so on. What portion is used by fire department, what is used by EMS, and what is Schroeder’s share.”
Trachta noted that Silver Bay is also seeking financial support from Schroeder.
“We need to figure out what is fair and reasonable, based on what we are paying out,” said James. “Thenit will be up to them to decide if they want our services.”
The board asked Trachta and Fire Chief Nelson to calculate expenses. “We need a proposal for next year’s annual meeting,” said James.
There are currently eight First Responders on the Tofte Rescue Squad, two from Schroeder.
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Fire works & more
In other business, Fire Chief Rich Nelson said the Lutsen, Tofte, and Schroeder Fire Departments were getting together for “May Day” training. He said the training would include an interior fire training attack in the gym at Birch Grove Community Center.
The board approved a payment of $954 to Cemetery Updating Service, a Winona, MN company that will research the Tofte cemetery, providing a CD to the township for its records.
EMS Chief Trachta said firefighter Rose Thoreson has been working with her, learning some of the department’s secretarial tasks. “I don’t plan on going anywhere,” said Trachta. “But it is good to have some backup.”
It was noted that disability insurance for the firedepartment had increased $632.10. Theboard asked town clerk Barb Gervais if any reason had been given for the increase. She said there was no explanation and volunteered to contact the provider. The board asked her to do that. Supervisor James said, “If we know why it increased we can find out if there is anything we can do to decrease it.”
Commissioner Bruce Martinson said he had heard from some members of the Tofte Timberwolves Sportsmen’s Club regarding the county road ATV ordinance. He said the club had requested that the shoulder of the paved portion of the Sawbill be open to ATV traffic. He asked if the board also supported that request. Dave Rude stated that without that access, Tofte riders have a hard time getting out of town to trails because the snowmobile trail is not suitable for ATVs. A unanimous motion was passed to send a letter to Cook County, asking the county to allow ATVs on the inside ditch bank and shoulder of the Sawbill.
The township approved the purchase of fireworks for the West End 4th of July celebration, an expense of $2,500. Fire Chief Rich Nelson, who was ordering the fireworks, noted that the township would receive 5% more fireworks if the bill was paid within 30 days. He said the township could also receive significant savings if it ordered 70 days in advance. The board approved the payment and agreed to put fireworks on the agenda of the town’s annual meeting in March next year, to get the order submitted in time to receive the savings.
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