One of the first items of business at the Lutsen town meeting on Tuesday, January 21 was the announcement that no one had filed to run for election to the town board. Incumbent Supervisor Marland Hansen said that neither he nor Clerk Silviya Duclos had filed for re-election.
“We need someone to launch a write-in campaign or the town board will have to appoint someone,” said Hansen. “So if you know someone who would be a good supervisor or clerk, ask them to come forward.”
Clerk Duclos said, “It’s not that I don’t like it, it’s just that I have too much going on.”
Snowmobile safety concerns for Lutsen responders
EMS Chief Fred Schmidt reported that there were three calls since the start of the new year, a car accident at Eagle Ridge and two snowmobile accidents. Schmidt expressed concern about his emergency responders during one of the rescues about six miles in on the snowmobile trail. He said responders ended up riding with a passing snowmobiler, a nerve-wracking experience at night without helmets.
Fire Chief Paul Goettl said this has been an on-going discussion with Cook County Search & Rescue. He said search and rescue members would respond, but it takes some time getting equipment loaded and to the scene. It is often quicker and easier to press someone nearby into service in a rescue. “There has been talk of storing equipment out here,” said Goettl, adding, “We can have discussion about this at our next fire meeting.”
Schmidt asked who would be liable if a responder was hurt in that situation. Supervisor Hansen said it seems that the person operating the machine would ultimately be responsible, but he said he would talk to the township attorney to find out.
Efforts continue to equip emergency trailer
Fire Chief Goettl updated the town board on the emergency fire trailer that the fire department is working on. Goettl said Minnesota Power donated $12,000 to be used toward outfitting the trailer with an air tank fill station. The donation covers half of the project’s $24,000 cost with the Cook County Sheriff ’s Office, mutual aid fire departments and local businesses contributing the rest.
Goettl said that the final paperwork for a $4,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources had been submitted, which will also be applied toward the cost of equipping the trailer. He said by the beginning of April the trailer should be up and running.
Land Use Plan update interests Lutsen
Commissioner Bruce Martinson told the town board that the county is forming a committee to update the Cook County Land Use Plan. Martinson stressed that this is a very important document as this is what the planning and zoning board refers to when it considers conditional use permits or allows certain activities. He said the land use plan was originally adopted in 1980 and last updated in 1997. He noted that one thing that needs to be addressed is the regulations to establish a dog kennel. “I know there are people who would be alarmed if a kennel was put next door to them,” said Martinson.
Martinson said the county would like three township representatives, one from each township. Hansen said he would be willing to be the township representative even if he will no longer be a supervisor. “I’ll be off the board, so I’ll have time. This really is important,” said Hansen.
It was agreed that Hansen would be the Lutsen representative, with Supervisor Tim Goettl serving as alternate.
In other business:
. Fire Chief Goettl said about 45 people from various fire departments in the county attended fire fighter safety training at Lutsen Resort during the last week. He said it was good training. “It taught us to look at safety in a different way,” said Goettl.
. Goettl also reported on a mutual aid fire call in Grand Marais. He said about 10 – 11 Lutsen firefighters responded. Goettl said the structure was saved, but there was a great deal of smoke and water damage. “Everyone did a stand-up job. It reflects the good training that we have had,” he said.
. EMS Chief Fred Schmidt also reported on training. He said Lutsen emergency medical responders are currently taking refresher training. EMTs have two classes left and First Responders have six classes left.
. Supervisors Ginny Storlie and Marland Hansen both attended the U.S. Forest Service Open House on the North Shore Restoration Project. They both said it was very interesting. They said it is a cooperative effort with other entities such as Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center and funding is being sought to assist private landowners who want to restore the trees on their property.
. The township happily accepted a number of donations from community members. Kenneth and Janice Shold donated $1,000 to Lutsen First Responders; Lutsen Mountains and Tom and Ann Rider each donated $600 toward the emergency fire trailer; and each of the three homeowners’ associations at Caribou Highlands contributed $1,000.
. Lutsen resident Larry McNeally said he wanted to express appreciation to the Lutsen town board for keeping taxes down. “We were able to build this building and get a lot done. Thanks for doing a good job and caring about keeping taxes down for Lutsen taxpayers,” said McNeally.
. The township is required to hold audit and budget meetings before the March 11 annual meeting. The board set those meetings to review the town financial records and proposed budget, for 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18 for the audit meeting, followed by the regular meeting at 7 p.m.
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