The Lutsen Town Board held its first meeting in the new town hall space on Tuesday, February 19, 2013. Getting used to the new meeting room were (L-R) Supervisors Marland Hansen, Ginny Storlie and Joe Buttweiler; Clerk Silviya Duclos and Treasurer John Groth.
The Lutsen Town Board met for the first time in the new town hall addition on February 19 and continued to work out the details of using the new space.
The rental policy introduced by Supervisor Ginny Storlie last month was reviewed, along with potential changes suggested by Lutsen Fire Chief Paul Goettl. The board discussed rental rates, key distribution, damage deposit, and instructions to renters, such as put tables and chairs back where they were, turn down heat, close windows, take trash away, etc.
Supervisor Storlie said she would like to see something included regarding noise. “I would like a reminder for people to be considerate of neighbors,” adding with a smile, “Me!”
Storlie lives on the property adjacent to the town hall. She said the policy should say music should be turned down at midnight. “Or invite Ginny!” quipped Supervisor Marland Hansen.
After reaching consensus on policy items, the board agreed that this is a work in progress. Supervisor Joe Buttweiler said, “This is not set in stone. If it works, it works. If not we can change it.”
Storlie noted that the walls seemed bare. She said she would be working with a Lutsen resident to get some artwork hung. She suggested that the township also move some of the maps that are hanging in the old town hall space to the new area.
There was discussion of what to call the various areas of the building now that it has been expanded. It was agreed to refer to the old meeting room as the Fire/EMS meeting room and the new, larger space as the town hall meeting room. “That way people will know what they are renting or where they are meeting,” said Supervisor Hansen.
Hansen also said a few more things are needed for the town hall, such as coat racks for the entry, a bulletin board, some cupboards in the kitchen and a clock. There is also a crack in the concrete to be patched, said Hansen.
Jon Woerheide of Peak Electric still needs to do some work for the town hall generator plug and transfer switch. Treasurer John Groth expressed appreciation to Woerheide for donating the electrical work in the kitchen area, a donation of $450.
Fortunately, said Treasurer Groth in a phone conversation after the February meeting, the town hall project is under budget and there is money for those added items. Groth said at the township annual meeting in March 2012, citizens approved spending up to $600,000 on the town hall/fire hall expansion. The total spent to date, including construction, architectural and design fees, permits and furniture, is $574,700.90. “We are $25,000 under,” said Groth.
In his report, West End Commissioner Bruce Martinson updated Lutsen supervisors on the work to reduce the community center budget after bids for Phase IV came in higher than anticipated.
EMS Director Fred Schmidt asked, “Whey didn’t they have their ducks in a row before they went ahead with demolition?”
Supervisor Hansen agreed, “Why not know the costs before they have a hole in the ground? It seems like they did it on purpose.”
Martinson said his job is to see that they don’t go over the allocated amount. He noted that they had already “dug into” the money earmarked for the outdoor amenities, such as the ball field.
Martinson said the estimate to construct a ball field on the community center grounds was $625,000, which does not include an estimated $125,000 for wetland mitigation. “What did you spend on your ball field?” he asked.
Hansen replied, “We bought the land and had someone come with a Cat to move the ground around for a lot less than that!”
In other business:
. Supervisor Hansen said he had represented the township at the last Poplar River Management Board meeting where he heard that the mitigation efforts now in place had reduced the turbidity of the river by 35 percent. “So they have made a difference,” said Hansen.
. Hansen said he had also attended a Minnesota Power Taconite Harbor Energy Center citizen advisory meeting that had representatives from legislative offices and EPA representatives. He said the Taconite Harbor Energy Center had reduced its mercury levels by 80 percent, which is well ahead of pending regulations.
Commissioner Martinson said he had also attended the meeting and was disappointed to hear that despite the drastic reductions, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is not affected because 90 percent of the mercury emission comes from other parts of the world.
. The Birch Grove Community School submitted a letter requesting $5,000 in financial support from the towns of Lutsen and Schroeder. Tofte Township supports the community center by paying expenses in the amount of $18,000 plus $3,000 for the Saplings preschool program. The request noted that the school is in its eighth year as a charter school and that it has achieved some of the highest MCA test scores in the state in reading and math. The letter cited lower enrollment and state funding delays as reasons for needing increased financial support. In 2012 Lutsen contributed $3,500 to Birch Grove operations. The request will be considered at the annual meeting on March 12.
. EMS Director Schmidt reported on a late night call to Lutsen Mountain Ski Hill. A woman had taken a piece of material and decided to use it to slide down the hill. By the time she reached the bottom, Schmidt said it was likely that she was going 40 miles per hour. She suffered a back injury. “Just when you think you’ve seen everything,” said Schmidt.
Schmidt also said two Lutsen First Responders, Steve Duclos and Kasia Schmidt had completed EMT refresher training.
. Township elections and annual meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 12 at the town hall, with elections from 5-8 p.m. and the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
Incumbent Treasurer John Groth is running for reelection. Incumbent Supervisor Joe Buttweiler is not running again and Tim Goettl is running for the vacant supervisor seat.
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