At their May 11, 2015 meeting Schroeder supervisors discussed making a plan to help the Birch Grove Community School with donations from the township.
Last winter the school, which has suffered from declining enrollment, asked each of the three West End townships to donate $20,000 per year for five years to help them pay bills and establish a fund balance.
“All of the townships are backing away from the five-year plan and will work on one-year plans,” said Board Chair Tina McKeever.
Tina McKeever said officials from the three townships have been meeting to discuss ways to help the school, but she added, the townships all wanted to see better financial reports before asking residents to pay more in levies. The group intends to meet with Birch Grove administration on a more regular basis, said McKeever.
“If they are doing really well one year and they don’t need money from us, we won’t need to donate to them that year,” she added.
Schroeder Treasurer Alicia Kangas pointed out that the town has to pay its bills first before donating money. She also said that since the board had been using the township’s savings account to pay some donations, “That not one cent has been paid back in the savings account. We should put it all back, and a little more,” she said.
Kangas also said that the township’s non-mandated percentage of budget is now running 33-37 percent, while Cook County’s non-mandated funding is 17 percent of its budget. She urged the supervisors to get that figure under control.
Township economic development funds considered
Not long ago a request came to the town board asking for funds to be loaned from the Schroeder Community Development Fund for educational purposes. Because the board didn’t know if that was okay, Supervisor Bruce Martinson said he would look into it. Martinson said he contacted an official from the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) about the fund, which was originally donated to the community by the IRRRB, and asked what their recommendation was on this request.
Martinson said it was his understanding that the money must be used for economic development within the township. The board decided to table the matter until the next meeting so more could be learned.
Kangas said she thought the township should keep “economic development” in the name of the fund. She said that when she heard “community development” she thinks of things like the ball field.
Quiet spring for emergency workers
Fire Chief Phil Bonin reported “a couple of false calls.” He said calls were for, “Burnt toast, nothing serious.”
He also said the fire danger was down, but if it ever gets warm longer than two days in a row, then the fire danger will be high again.
Bonin asked for and was given permission to purchase an air pressure tank for the fire department at a cost not to exceed $600.
Bonin also gave an EMS report. He said that other than training and classes, things had been pretty quiet on that front as well.
In other business
. The supervisors appointed the Grand Marais State Bank as the township’s official banking place and a motion was made and approved to name the Cook County News-Herald as the township’s official newspaper of record.
. In her recreation report, Tina McKeever said the dock was in at Dyers Lake and porta-lets will be coming soon. She said Greg Johnson had tidied up the ball field. McKeever also said that new bolts are needed for the swing, which originally came from Taconite Harbor after the houses were removed. Martinson said he would get the needed replacement parts for the swing and take care of it.
. Martinson said the county was asking for comments on its proposed Comprehensive Land Use Plan and he asked that board members and the audience to read it and submit comments before it was completed in July.
. Roger “Bill” McKeever gave the road and bridge report. Other than one or two culverts, the roads looked like they were in pretty good shape, he said.
The board discussed getting some signs replaced, especially at the intersections, and West End Commissioner Ginny Storlie said she would talk to the Cook County Highway Department about who is responsible for paying for the posts and the signs.
Bill McKeever also said that Isak Hansen’s had repaired a washout without being asked to, adding “We need to send a thank you to them for fixing that washout.”
The board agreed and a letter of thanks will be sent to Isak Hansen’s.
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