When someone is injured or in need of medical help in Lutsen, local volunteer emergency medical responders from the township will come to their aid in this new rescue vehicle loaded with medical and rescue gear and lights that extend above the rig in the back of the vehicle to assist responders who make calls at night.
It took longer than expected, but the delivery of the new Emergency Medical Services (EMS) truck is finally here and parked safely in the Lutsen fire hall/community center.
Lutsen Township supervisors got a look at the gleaming new vehicle at their December 20 meeting.
Fire Chief Larry McNealy and EMS Chief Fred Schmidt gave the board a tour of the rig, which is loaded with gear, lights, and lifts that will greatly aid crews who go out on rescues.
The Tofte Search and Rescue, who in turn sold their car to the Grand Marais Search and Rescue, said McNealy, purchased the preceding Lutsen rescue vehicle.
“We try to work with each other whenever we can,” said McNealy.
During claims, Lutsen Treasurer John Groth said he had met with officials from the North Shore Credit Union to discuss moving the truck account from the Grand Marais State Bank to the credit union and he was told it would be okay to do so. Lutsen supervisors approved moving the vehicle fund from the bank to the North Shore Credit Union.
Cook County Commissioner Ginny Storlie addressed the township board and gave an update on the budget process the county had just completed earlier that day. Storlie said the process was grueling. She informed the supervisors that the county board had changed the 2017 levy increase from 9.9 percent to 11.2 percent, going into detail about why commissioners had re-voted to push the tax up. When Storlie was done Board Chair Andrew Beavers thanked her, as did Supervisor Rae Piepho, who said she appreciated the way the board worked the levy down from the 19.9 percent that was proposed last month.
Storlie said commissioners would start working on the 2018 budget in January and begin to “tighten our belts.” Supervisor Lynn Rose said the county has to realize, “We can’t have everything we want, the brightest and shiniest things. It’ hard for some people to pay for these increases in their levy.”
McNealy said firefighters had one call the previous month. He also reported that the Firemen’s Ball was well attended, with 68 turning out at Papa Charlie’s Restaurant and Tavern. Beavers added, “I would like to say thanks to the people who stayed back to protect the community. There was a considerable discussion about the dessert that was served, with many saying they returned for seconds.”
Schmidt reported that the EMS squad responded to 62 calls for the last year. He added two new people had joined the crew and were now taking EMS course.
Under Old Business, a discussion was held about why no one was bidding to clean the community center or the outhouse in the park. One person had inquired but said they didn’t have the $500,000 liability insurance necessary to make a bid. Beavers asked township treasurer John Groth if supervisors could come in and do some light cleaning at the community center. Goth said elected officials were considered township employees, and supervisors would be covered by the village’s insurance. He added board members would be welcome to come in and clean anytime. Beavers quickly mentioned then that most supervisors were very busy so he didn’t know how much cleaning they would get done.
Supervisors approved an $800 donation to the Junior Alpine Ski Team. A check will be given to the team next month. The donation was voted on and approved by the town at the annual meeting last March.
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