One of the first topics of business at the Lutsen Town Meeting on Tuesday, September 20, was appointing an interim town clerk. It was the last official meeting for Clerk Amity Goettl, who submitted her resignation in August.
Three citizens answered the call for an interim clerk, submitting applications to serve as clerk until the election in March 2012—Sylviya Duclos, Gail Thompson, and Nancy Hansen. The Lutsen board noted that all three applicants were more than qualified. Supervisor Joe Buttweiler said he had received “the most input” from other citizens recommending Sylviya Duclos for the job.
Supervisor Diane Parker made a motion to offer the interim clerk position to Duclos. The motion carried with Supervisor Marland Hansen abstaining from the vote, as his wife was one of the applicants. Supervisor Parker reiterated, “They were all wonderful and very qualified.”
Fire hall and fire truck plans
Fire Chief Paul Goettl, who has been spearheading the effort to expand the Lutsen fire hall/town hall, suggested that it is time that the town board takes over the planning. He presented several quotes for designing the renovation, ranging in price from $7,500 to $27,760. “It’s such a range because these are from a licensed architect versus a designer. Which can we take? Can we have a designer give us plans and have an architect sign off on them? The Tofte Fire Hall was designed without an architect. These are questions we need answered before we proceed,” said Goettl.
Supervisor Hansen said he would contact the township attorney with a list of questions. A special town board meeting was scheduled for October 11 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss how to proceed with building renovation plans.
Treasurer and firefighter John Groth told the town board that the township’s new fire truck should be in Lutsen on October 18. Groth, Fire Chief Goettl, and firefighter/ mechanic Larry McNeally will go to pick up the truck. They will receive training from General Safety on truck operations at that time.
Groth said the new fire hoses would be arriving soon as well. He said when the new hoses arrive, the fire department will have enough hoses to outfit all of their trucks and have some to spare, which will make the fire department National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) compliant.
In other fire business, Fire Chief Goettl reported that there were only two fire calls in the last month, one a false alarm at Caribou Highlands and the other a car accident on Highway 61. He said Lutsen had not been called to respond to the Pagami Creek fire but had met with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for some pre-planning in the event that the fire reached the Lutsen area. He said the fire department also reviewed its evacuation plan and tested the dry hydrants at Caribou Lake.
Goettl also reported on the Lutsen Fire Department annual pancake breakfast. He said 271 breakfasts were served. He said every member of the Lutsen Fire Department and First Responders helped out and everything went very smoothly. He said the event raised about $3,000 after expenses.
In other business
Supervisor Hansen told his colleagues that the township’s errors and omissions insurance had lapsed because of a change in the Minnesota Association of Township’s policies. He said MAT no longer offers what is known as E&O insurance as a “stand-alone.” However, he said they offer a package of insurance services and the township could save about $2,000 a year by consolidating. He said the township could purchase its vehicle insurance, building and fire insurance and E&O insurance for $4,712 a year, compared to the $6,812 it currently pays Countrywide and Awes insurance companies. The board passed a unanimous motion to switch insurance to MAT.
Larry McNeally, president of the Lutsen Trailbreakers snowmobile club, appeared before the town board requesting a donation of $2,000 to help repair snowmobile trails damaged by some creeks overflowing and to replace aging trail system signs. The board asked if the snowmobile club had lost funding and McNeally and Sharon Hexum- Platzer said yes, about $1,000 in the last year, more in previous years. McNeally said the Minnesota DNR changed the formula for how it reimburses clubs, which significantly reduced the club’s funding, while expenses continue to climb.
Supervisors passed a unanimous motion to donate $2,000 to the Trailbreakers from the township general fund.
The township recommended approval of liquor licenses for Clearview Liquor Store, Clearview General Store, Lockport Marketplace, Moguls Grille & Tap Room, Lutsen Resort, Northern Lights Entertainment (Papa Charlie’s), and Lutsen Mountains (Summit Chalet, Rosie’s Café).
Tom Spence of the North Shore Hospital Board told the town board that a private company, Spectrum Healthcare, is studying the feasibility of building an assisted living facility of up to 30 beds in Grand Marais. He said the idea of an assisted living facility was initiated by the town of Tofte, which earlier conducted a study on the feasibility of a large facility on the West End. He said the study did not support a large facility, but he suggested smaller facilities of four or five apartments in the townships, so people did not have to drive 20 – 30 miles to visit family members. “If the West End wants to pursue this, I’d like to help,” said Spence.
Spence suggested that the three West End townships get together to discuss the idea. Supervisor Diane Parker agreed to talk to members of the Tofte and Schroeder town boards to see if they would like to meet to discuss this matter.
Lutsen Treasurer John Groth said he had completed certification of the township levy. He said the Lutsen levy is 2.2% less than last year. However, he added with the county’s preliminary levy set for a 2.75% increase, residents will see little change in their tax statement.
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