Following up on discussion at previous town meetings, Lutsen Supervisor Andrew Beavers said he has continued to research the annexation of Lutsen’s unorganized territory. Beavers said he has been receiving positive reactions from most property owners.
At the Tuesday, April 21 meeting, Beavers presented a map made by Cook County GIS Specialist Kyle Oberg which shows a map of the existing Lutsen township boundaries and the Lutsen Fire District boundaries. He pointed out that the new boundary includes the Deeryard Lake area and Cascade Beach Road.
Beavers said all of the people he talked to in the Deeryard Lake area were in favor of annexation, however, the stipulation is that annexation is requested by at least 20 registered voters. He said Deeryard doesn’t have that many registered voters. “So I cast the net wider to Cascade Beach Road and the Hall Road,” he said, “With those votes, we’d have enough.”
He is working with interested citizens on a petition now, he said.
Beavers said there would be a slight increase in taxes for these new Lutsen township taxpayers. He said if Lutsen kept the levy the same, there would be an increase of $14 per $100,000 of property value.
Treasurer John Groth asked if the annexation process called for a public hearing. “Those who are opposed should have the option to express their opposition,” he said.
Beavers agreed. “I was waiting on that, until the boundaries were drawn and the petition was done.”
However, Beavers added that he didn’t think there would be much opposition. He said, “We will have business owners and lifelong residents that have never been able to vote in Lutsen. This would give voice to more people.”
Status quo for compensation of town officers
The board reviewed the compensation for board members and agreed to leave the pay scale the same. All board members receive $85 for regular and special meetings. For hourly work for the township outside of meetings, supervisors are reimbursed $15 an hour. The clerk, deputy clerk, and treasurer are reimbursed at a rate of $20.
The board agreed to follow government guidelines for town officers for travel and meal expenses when on town business.
Compensation for Lutsen’s emergency responders was also considered and left the same. The fire chief, assistant fire chief, EMS chief, and assistant fire chief all receive $85 for regular and special meetings. The fire chief and EMS chief receive a monthly stipend of $150 per month. The assistant fire chief receives a stipend of $100 per month. None of the emergency personnel receive an hourly wage.
Supervisor Larry McNeally asked Fire Chief Paul Goettl if that was adequate compensation. “Are you getting enough?” he asked.
Chief Goettl said it was likely fair, noting that some months he spends more time on fire department business; sometimes less. He said he worked more hours when the building was under construction, but things have slowed down now.
Pay for firefighter and First Responders was also discussed. The emergency responders are paid $25 per fire or EMS call.
Lawn mowing bids
The township reviewed the two bids received for mowing. Steve Duclos was low bidder at $75 for the ball field, $100 for the town hall and $125 for the Lutsen Park. Duclos asked the town board if he could also clear the area below the town hall of brush and low branches to extend the lawn to the Caribou Trail. The board agreed to hire Duclos for approximately 24 hours to do that work at a rate of $30 per hour.
Fire truck/rock exchange proposed
Local contractor Mike Rose made a proposal to the town board. The board has discussed placing boulders in the town hall parking lot as barriers to prevent damage to the building from snow plows. Rose proposed that he install the necessary rocks and in lieu of payment, he could take possession of the LaFrance fire truck that the town wants to sell.
The board was intrigued by the proposal, but said it is required to advertise equipment for sale. Supervisors tabled discussion until after the fire truck was advertised.
In other business
. The board voted to continue with Tim Goettl as board chair. Andrew Beavers was elected vice-chair.
. A motion was passed to designate the Cook County News-Herald as the township’s official paper of record. The rate remains the same as last year.
. In accordance with its policy, the board reviewed its agreement with the AA and Al-Anon groups that meet at the town hall. The groups pay a discounted rate of $20 a month for four or five meetings per month. Supervisor Beavers said the meetings are for the public good and moved to continue with the same rental fee. The motion carried unanimously.
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