The Lutsen Town Meeting on Tuesday, March 19 was fairly quick, as the township had just held its annual meeting the week before. As it was the last meeting for Supervisor Joe Buttweiler, who did not run for re-election, the board of supervisors wished him well.
At past meetings, changes to the town hall parking lot had been discussed, but supervisors decided to hold off on decisions about the parking area until the snow is gone and they can better assess the parking situation. There was also discussion about landscaping around the town hall and a few minor interior things to be done.
Treasurer John Groth once again said, “We are really happy to be under budget.”
Training and equipment plans for Lutsen emergency responders
Lutsen Fire Chief Paul Goettl said there will be a wildland firefighting course in May and June with the classroom portion of the training taking place at the Lutsen Fire Hall.
EMS Chief Fred Schmidt said he is researching the cost to purchase a special piece of equipment for rescuing people injured on area trails. Schmidt said the department would like to purchase a rescue wheel that is used in conjunction with a Stokes basket, or emergency patient transport basket. Schmidt noted with more and more remote area rescues, this would benefit emergency responders and patients both. It would mean that rescuers would not have to haul a patient on a backboard for long distances and it would make the transport more stable for the patient.
Schmidt and Treasurer Groth said they are looking for grant opportunities for this purchase.
Groth said the township had received three checks for the Lutsen Fire Department, each for $1,000 from the three Caribou Highlands property owners associations. The town board gratefully accepted the donation.
Lutsen echoes support for Taconite Harbor
The town board acted on the information presented by West End County Commissioner Bruce Martinson at the annual meeting regarding Minnesota Power and its future plans. Martinson had explained some of the changes that Minnesota Power is undergoing as it brings forward its Integrated Resource Plan (a plan that outlines key decisions regarding fuel diversity and adding new energy sources like wind and natural gas). Martinson noted that Minnesota Power’s recent decision to shut down unit 3 at Taconite Harbor Energy Center in 2015 is a “done deal.”
At the annual meeting, Martinson emphasized the importance of keeping the rest of the power plant operational in Schroeder.
The town board passed a resolution strongly supporting Minnesotas Power’s strategy and the recommendations outlined in the plan.
The next Lutsen Town Meeting will be Tuesday, April 16 at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall at 116 Caribou Trail.
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