City Towing to Boyer Trucking/ Cummings Tech in Superior, Wisconsin was approximately $2,000. “And it was something we had to do, no matter what,” said Groth.
Fire Chief Goettl added, “It was repaired really quickly.”
“And it’s back,” said Groth.
In his monthly report on October 20, Fire Chief Paul Goettl said the Lutsen Fire Department now has a dispatch computer installed in its rescue truck. Goettl explained that this is the same type of computer communication set-up that the Cook County Sheriff Deputies have in squad cars. It provides GPS and mapping information to the fire department during emergency calls.
“We are kind of the ‘guinea pigs’ for this,” said Goettl. “If it works for us, if it is determined there is value for the fire department, these may become standard equipment.”
Supervisor Andrew Beavers asked if the equipment for the pilot program was donated or if there is a cost to Lutsen. Goettl said the computer was donated. There were some installation costs and there is a monthly charge for the air card for mobile service. Goettl said members of the fire department and rescue squad were excited about trying out the new technology.
“It’s new to us, but the deputies have used it for years and like it,” he said.
After the meeting, Fire Chief Goettl gave supervisors a look at the computer in the rescue squad truck.
Fire tender truck back in service
Firefighter John Groth followed up on last month’s report that the department was having problems with its 2014 Freightliner fire engine. Groth said as believed the problem was with the turbo activator, which was unfortunately not covered by warranty. Groth said the turbo activator was not part of the Cummings engine, which has a five-year warranty. The fire department has had the truck for four years.
Groth said he is double checking to see if there is any way the repair work can be covered, but added that repair costs were reasonable. The total including the tow by Lake
In other fire department business, Groth noted that federal and state safe haven laws allow distraught parents to leave infants at fire halls without repercussion, with the idea that these infants will be safely cared for. Because the Lutsen Fire Hall is unmanned, in September, Groth asked if the township should have signs to let the public know that it should not be considered a safe haven. The board agreed and Groth ordered the appropriate signs, which were put up at the fire hall before the meeting.
Park & Ride in Lutsen?
Supervisor Larry McNealy said he had talked to Minnesota Department of Transportation officials about the idea he raised last month, using the area off the access road below the Lutsen Town Hall as a Park & Ride. McNealy explained, “Not a day goes by that I don’t see someone who is ride sharing parked there.”
McNealy said MnDOT was interested, but there are questions, such as where is the road right of way, who would plow snow and do other maintenance. The board thanked him for checking on the idea and asked him to continue. “We’ll see where it takes us,” he said.
McNealy also said he had people talk to him about the use of the Lutsen ball field as a dog park. He said the field is being used that way with snow fencing erected by the gates to keep dogs inside. Apparently, he said, people feel safe letting their dogs run there. “If this is how it is being used, we need to reevaluate whether we want to spend money on a ballfield or a dog park,” he said.
His colleagues noted that this was news to them and said there should be more discussion about the future of the ball field.
County committees formed
West End Commissioner Ginny Storlie gave a report on county board activities, including the establishment of two citizen committees, one for the county highway department to improve communications with the public and one to consider concerns about vacation rentals by owner (VRBO). Storlie said she is the county board representative on the highway advisory committee.
Storlie said the committee to research VRBOs is being formed in response to concerns about these properties not contributing to the county’s lodging tax funds and because it is not known if there are adequate septic systems at these locations.
Supervisor McNealy said, “I’m all for the vacation rental board. Then everyone will be playing by the same rules. It’s safer for the renter too.”
Storlie said anyone interested in serving on the highway advisory board should contact County Administrator Jeff Cadwell. People interested in the VRBO board should contact County Planning & Zoning Director Tim Nelson.
In other business
. Supervisor Beavers said the “rock of ages,” the problematic boulder too close to the Caribou Trail had finally been completely removed.
. The board accepted the sole bid for snowplowing for 2015-2016 from Fred Schmidt. The cost was the same, $85 per time. The contract calls for snow removal when there is 3 inches of snow and Supervisor McNealy asked if that was appropriate. Supervisor Goettl said Schmidt has done a good job plowing when it was needed. Goettl said, “I think we can leave it to his discretion.”
. The board accepted the bid from Lutsen Cabin & Land Care for cleaning of the town hall at a rate of $55 per time. The cleaning includes sweeping and mopping. The company’s bid for cleaning the Lutsen Park outhouse at $25 per time was also approved.
. Fire Chief Goettl reported that the last firefighter’s meeting included physicals and mask fit tests.
. EMS Chief Fred Schmidt gave an update on two major medical calls and said his department now had a valuable new tool, “Airways Larry,” which enables responders to practice on a manikin with airways and lungs.
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