During Lutsen Township’s annual meeting in early March, Spencer Motschenbacher approached the board of supervisors about installing a light at the end of the Caribou Trail. Earlier that day, an accident involving a logging truck and another car occurred right where the new lighting would be installed. The topic was put on the agenda for the next regular meeting.
The possibility of adding a light at the bottom of the Caribou Trail had been discussed before, but was voted down by previous supervisors because many saw it as light pollution and unnecessary. On Tuesday, March 15, with the accident still fresh in everybody’s mind, Motschenbacher opened discussion of the proposed light.
“They make a great improvement at night time driving. I do see it as a safety factor,” Motschenbacher stated.
Supervisor Andrew Beavers and EMS chief Fred Schmidt both agreed with Motschenbacher, noting that it is difficult to see the trail in bad weather and a light would help. Schmidt added that, with the fire hall just up the road, it could be extremely helpful to have the light marking the trail.
During the discussion, Supervisor Tim Goettl read a letter from one Lutsen resident, Karen Kobey, who wasn’t convinced that the light was necessary.
“I think we must all be cognizant of the fact that the light pollution is a real factor in our world,” Kobey wrote. However, she added that if a case could be made that installing the light was important for safety reasons, she understood.
Molly Wickwire also wasn’t convinced that installing a light at the end of the trail would remedy the situation.
“I don’t think the lights are nearly as much of a problem as things that we can’t control, like drivers that are distracted, cell phones are probably posing a larger threat overall,” she said. She also had concerns about light pollution, but then added that if there was a safety case for the light, then she would be willing for it to be installed.
Other possibilities to help with visibility on the trail, including reflectors or lights on the stop sign itself were also suggested. The discussion concluded with a motion for Beavers to contact the Minnesota Department of Transportation to see if the township could get funding for a light and reflectors.
Another look at emergency 9-1-1 calls
Another topic that was reopened for discussion was the emergency phone lines. Wickwire stated that all emergency centers in Cook County should have both CenturyLink and True North phone service. The township recently switched back to CenturyLink after Judy Sivertson from the Sheriff ’s Office brought up the issue at the township’s January meeting.
At the time, it had seemed switching to CenturyLink would make the Fire Hall accessible to most of the township, even if lines went down or other problems occurred.
“The best way to keep communication available to the biggest number is to have both,” Wickwire explained. “So Arrowhead is recommending that emergency services have communication lines through both providers. And that is the direction that the law enforcement service is going.”
The Sheriff ’s Office is in the process of getting both CenturyLink and True North. Once the project is complete, it will be unnecessary for the Fire Hall to have both services. Until then, however, Wickwire stated that 410 True North customers would not have access to 911 if CenturyLink went down.
Jack McHugh, a Lutsen resident with experience in the phone service and engineer department, suggested that the township contact an engineer from CenturyLink.
“CenturyLink will have 911 engineers. They’re responsible for everyone in their geographic area that have 911 service,” said McHugh. “Have one of those people come down and talk to you about it. And they’ll know both sides and all of the what ifs.”
It was decided that Beavers would attempt to contact engineers from CenturyLink and Arrowhead Cooperative to get an understanding of how best to resolve the phone issue.
Lutsen Township also welcomed two new supervisors during the meeting. Rae Piepho was elected to replace Goettl and will be stepping into that new role at the next meeting. Lynn Rose was nominated to replace Supervisor Larry McNeally, and will also begin her new position at the next meeting.
The board cycled quickly through the clerk, treasurer, EMS chief, and fire chief ’s reports. An online form for people requesting donations has recently been added to the Lutsen Township’s website. This addition will ensure that those requesting donations from the township will know what information the supervisors will need in order to make the decision. Treasurer John Groth noted a couple of donations, and the meeting came to an end shortly thereafter.
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