It looks like the softball field at Lutsen will finally get a much-needed makeover.
The Lutsen Town Board decided to request a special meeting on Thursday, June 3 at 6 p.m. to consider having the infield fixed. The meeting will be held at the town hall.
But the fix won’t be cheap.
“This could cost $10,000, maybe $12,000,” said Town Supervisor Joe Buttweiler, who added, “but if we don’t fix it now all we will have is a grass field and no place to play ball, and people don’t want that.”
Lutsen resident Jackie Odermann came before the board at its May 18, 2010 meeting with a request to repair the field.
“My late husband (Roy) and I used to weed the field and I know Marland Hansen works on the field every year, but it’s not enough. It’s dangerous for the infielders. Balls kick up and can hurt people. The infield is unplayable and needs to be fixed,” said Odermann.
Hansen, who is also a town supervisor, said he works on the field “two or three times” a year, and has worked to keep it level, but to no avail.
Because special aggregate and dirt needs to be used for the infield, the cost will be substantial. “But once the work is done, the field should be in good shape for years to come,” noted Odermann.
This will be the first phase in getting the field back up to snuff. Thefence will be repaired in the future and dugouts will be installed.
In other township news, Paul Goettl was re-elected to a threeyear term as fire chief. Goettl noted that Steve Dobbelmann recently retired after serving more than 20 years on the force. Goettl said Dobbelmann served for a time with the Schroeder fire fighters.
Firefighters went out on four calls recently, Goettl said. He also said that 13 firefighters have completed training with the exception of working on a staged house fire. “We’re waiting for a house or two that we can burn and practice on,” he added.
West End county commissioner Bruce Martinson talked about an upcoming ATV hearing that will look at three issues central to ATV users. The meeting will be May 25 in the commissioner’s room at the courthouse. It will start at 9:00 a.m.
Martinson also gave a brief update about broadband. He said that Northeast Services Cooperative has applied for a second grant that if awarded would fund installation of cable throughout Cook County, and not just along the corridor of Highway 61 as designated in its first grant.
Treasurer John Groth reported that total township funds were $208,209.91.
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