It’s not finished; in fact it’s a work in progress. “But it’s up and running,” said Schroeder Supervisor Tina McKeever.
Was she talking about Schroeder rolling out its own health care initiative? No, McKeever was talking about the township’s new website.
McKeever made the exciting announcement at the town board’s December 9 meeting.
Last month the supervisors hired Lavona Czaplicki to help them design and get the long- planned site up and going.
McKeever and Town Clerk Doug Schwecke have been adding pictures and information to the site, but, as she noted, “We need to add a lot more information about the township and we need to get more pictures that represent Schroeder onto the site.”
The website can be viewed online at www.schroedertownship.com.
Commissioner Martinson’s last report
Cook County Commissioner Bruce Martinson paid his last visit to the Schroeder town board in his capacity as commissioner.
Martinson told the board about an attempt by the Sierra Club (and other environmental groups) to stop Minnesota Power from producing power at Taconite Harbor and at the Clay Boswell power plant. The Sierra Club states that the plant at Taconite Harbor is “causing significant breaches of federal health-based standards for sulfur dioxide pollution, putting nearby Northern Minnesota communities, iconic public parks, and other recreation areas at risk. Similarly, it fails to protect against violations of health-based standards for sulfur pollution.”
Martinson suggested that the board send a letter of support to Minnesota Power. (See related story on page B7.)
Next Martinson said the Cook County airport project was delayed because the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) stopped .6 acres of clearing for a roadway because they claimed that Cook County is critical habitat for the Canadian lynx and the brown-eared bat. “U.S. Fish & Wildlife has indicated they will not provide concurrence for the .6 acres of clearing, also indicating if an alternate route is available without impacting the additional forest it should be utilized.
“This is the first time this [critical habitat] has been used to stop a project. But it’s my guess that you will be seeing more of this in the future,” said Martinson.
Historical Society reports on Heritage Center season
Linda Lamb gave a brief update about the Schroeder Area Historical Society (SAHS), saying the Cross River Heritage Center was closed for the season but at its recent year end event Beryl Bissell won the grand prizeMark drawing for the quilt. 218-663-7149
Spencer Motschenbacher, a talented carpenter, recently joined the SAHS board, said Lamb, and he will be helping to determine what maintenance the building needs.
Lamb read a short piece submitted by Willard Nelson. Willard, who is now 100, wrote a hilarious story about his dad purchasing a car in 1917 and having it shipped to Schroeder via boat because at that time there were no drivable roads between Duluth and Grand Marais.
“My dad was such a terrific driver he never missed anything he could hit,” Nelson wrote.
Lamb said Nelson’s stories about his father and the Schroeder area could be found on the Minnesota Reflections website at www.mndigital.org/reflections/.
Lamb also said there was an effort under way to get the Cross River Heritage Center on the roll of National Register of Historic places, which the township of Schroeder has endorsed.
Fire & Rescue Report
Fire Chief Phil Bonin said his crew only had one call in the previous month, responding to a tractor-trailer in the ditch. “It took a few hours, but everything worked out okay.”
The rescue squad received five hours of training where they learned to deal with electric cars and air bags, said Bonin. “All in all it was a good training session,” he said.
Bonin also said his crew received 10 Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Response (ARMER) radios and five radios for the trucks at no cost to the township. The radios for the trucks cost more than $4,000 each while the ones for the crew cost $2,700 each. Because it will be the township,s responsibility to replace radios, the board will set up a line item in its budget so replacement costs can be done as painlessly as possible. Schwecke said he would look into fire fighters and rescue squad insurance policies to see if the radios are covered in case they are lost or damaged while being used for work.
Park planners to seek grants
Supervisor Tina McKeever said sheDwasConsultingin the processLLCof separating the proposed township park improvements Mark@into smallerMarkDConsulting.projects. McKeevercom promised to bring her ideas before the town at the annual March meeting and present them. She said the group working on park improvements, headed by Greg Miron, was asking the board to pass a motion of support so they could apply for grants. After some discussion the board passed a motion to support Miron’s group contingent upon the board’s ability to turn down any grants they didn’t support.
McKeever made it clear that no action on the park would be taken until the annual meeting where Schroeder residents could give their input.
Road and Bridge
Karl Crawford was awarded the contract to remove snow from the town hall, Skou Road, Baraga Cross Road, and the Schroeder Tote Road. Since no bids were received for the Sugarloaf Road the clerk will contact Isak Hansen’s and Laboda Grading to see if they are interested.
Township election filing opens December 30
Two positions will be open for election in the upcoming township election on March 11, 2015. Interested parties can sign up from December 30, 2014 to January 13, 2015. Deb Johnson’s supervisor seat and Alicia Kangas’ treasurer position will be on the township ballot. Kangas said she would file again while Johnson was mum on whether she will seek reelection.
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