After an hour-long debate which at times got cantankerous, Schroeder supervisors agreed on December 8 to allocate $2,500 to the Birch Grove Foundation as voted on at the 2015 March annual township meeting. Supervisors voted 3-0 to honor the request.
Speaking on behalf of Birch Grove Foundation (BGF) Coralyn Koschinska outlined why the money was necessary and where it would be spent. Koschinska said funds would be used to help pay for the Senior Lunch Program. This past year BGF paid $14,540 to put on lunches.
“Barb Merritt uses 24 meals as the average that she plans for each week,” said Koschinska. “This number has ranged from the high teens to mid 30s over the last year. About 40 percent of those attending on a weekly basis are from Schroeder. The suggested amount for a lunch is a $5 donation.”
But not everyone can pay $5, said Koschinska, adding $5 is a “suggested donation.” When broken down, the average meal costs BGF $12.12, and last year donations totaled $5,610, leaving a shortfall of $8,930.
One audience member said with 58 percent of Schroeder residents voting to give the donation at the annual meeting, “We would not be fessing up to our responsibilities if we don’t give them the money.”
Board Chair Tina McKeever said she originally supported that motion, but began questioning the vote when the board couldn’t get answers concerning where the money would be spent. She also pointed out that throughout the years Schroeder has contributed $59,000 to the Foundation and from 2008 to 2014 gave $3,500 annually.
Charlie Muggley spoke in opposition of giving BGF any money. “I don’t see anyone in my neighborhood who uses the community center,” said Muggley. “I know I don’t use it. I don’t go to senior lunches. I don’t play Pickleball. There are a lot of us out there that don’t use the community center.
“The Foundation has been like a petulant child. Sure you want money but you’re just not sure what you will use it for.
“What about the $15,000 that Cook County gave you? Isn’t that supposed to be used to pay for the Senior Lunch Program?” Muggley asked.
“No. At Cook County Commissioner Garry Gamble’s request that money can now be spent on anything we want to spend it on. He made his motion a couple of years ago and since that time the money has gone into our general fund,” said Koschinska.
Muggley said he had been frustrated in his attempts to learn about the Foundation’s finances, and has repeatedly requested to look at their budget. He told Koschinska that what she presented to the Schroeder Town Board wasn’t a budget, and she agreed with him, saying it was a balance sheet.
As to the role of the Foundation, Koschinska said, “We are attempting to help the community. Some seniors need that hot lunch to round out their diet. They don’t always have the money to pay. Seniors need a support system and we’re trying to give that to them.”
“One thing seniors don’t need is more taxes,” said Muggley. “As seniors we help pay that $15,000 in taxes to Cook County who in turn gives it to you. What you are is a salesman and I am a consumer and as a consumer I’m not buying what you are selling.”
Muggley asked Koschinska to post the BGF budget on the Foundation website. But as someone pointed out, “Websites cost money and you’re not giving them any money.”
Koschinska said Cook County granted $15,000 to BGF for 2016, while Lutsen agreed to give $11,000 and Tofte promised $12,500 in cash and a donation of $19,500 in in-kind services.
“Schroeder residents utilize 35 to 40 percent of the resources, while Schroeder is providing zero funding. Does this seem equitable?” she asked.
Tina McKeever agreed that it made Schroeder look bad, and she made a motion to grant BGF $2,500 for 2016, and supervisors Bruce Martinson and Roger “Bill” McKeever voted with her.
Despite their differences, Muggley thanked Koschinska for her presentation. Tina McKeever will meet with the BGF board in January to go over their budget, and Koschinska promised to have materials on the BGF website that would help inform Schroeder residents before the next annual meeting.
Township Roads
Township roads were also discussed at the meeting.
Supervisors formed a committee headed up by Schroeder residents Rick Anderson, Charlie Muggley, Bruce Martinson, Doug Schwecke, and Roger “Bill” McKeever. The committee toured and inspected the roads beginning in June 2015, and met December 5 to discuss a timeline to fix them.
Muggley brought forth two maps that were prepared for the township by Cook County GPS (global positioning system) analyst Kirk Oberg.
The township owns and is responsible for maintaining several paved roads, which include the Baraga Cross Road, Skou Road, Schroeder Tote Road, and the Town Hall parking lot. Gravel roads include the top part of the Skou Road and the six-mile-long Sugarloaf Road.
Many of the roads need new culverts, said Muggley, noting there were 13 culverts that will someday need to be replaced on the Sugarloaf Road and one on the Skou Road.
The task force was asked to create a five-year maintenance plan and budget, and will work on that plan so it can be presented at the annual meeting.
Fire Department Report
Schroeder Fire Chief Phil Bonin said in the past month there had been one fire call and one incident for Search and Rescue to respond to.
Bonin said his crew is now short a treasurer, and one will be recruited from the ranks. He and Charlie Muggley are working together on the treasurer’s report until a new person can be found, he said.
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