The vote for Schroeder Citizen of the Year wasn’t close. Volunteer fire fighter, Fire Chief and acting EMS director Phil Bonin won for all of his tireless effort and service to the community.
Some big decisions were made at the Schroeder annual meeting held March 10, 2015, but none bigger than the decision to support the Birch Grove School.
After all of the discussion about whether the township could or could not legally give money to Birch Grove Community School, Mary Van Doren said, quite firmly, “The legal questions won’t be answered tonight. I’m not a lawyer; no one here is a lawyer. There are many statutes that may apply to each request. It’s not our job as taxpayers to instruct our elected supervisors. We voted for them to represent us. They will research the statutes and laws and find the legal conclusions for each request. It’s our job to vote tonight, so let’s vote.”
Bluefin Bay Resort owner Dennis Rysdahl also spoke in behalf of supporting the school. He said the county was losing 25-to 40-yearolds at an alarming rate and it was getting harder for him to find people to hire. “If the exodus continues we will be a county of retirees and second home owners. We have to try to keep young residents here.”
With that, meeting moderator Pete Borson called for a paper ballot vote and when the count was tallied it was 44 yes, 21 no, to grant Birch Grove Community School $20,000 for five years.
However, Schroeder Clerk Doug Schwecke said the board would have the power to decide whether or not it would put the $20,000 down as a line item for the next five years or bring it back to the voters to vote on annually.
Schwecke also told the audience that an attorney with knowledge of township procedures would soon come to the West End and meet with representatives of all three townships [in one meeting] and explain how and why they can give—or can’t give— money to various organizations and clubs.
Birch Grove Foundation gets split vote
Before that crucial vote Schroeder citizens raised their hands in favor of giving the Tofte Fireworks Committee $1,500 for the Fourth of July fireworks and also agreed to donate $1,000 to the Superior Timberwolves Sportsman’s Club for a sixmile trail brushing project on the Schroeder Tote Road.
Paper ballots were also cast for the Birch Grove Foundation, which sought $10,000 to help with the operation of the Birch Grove Community Center. Although close, residents voted 36-32 against the donation.
However, Schroeder citizens voted 38 to 27 in favor of giving the Foundation $2,500 for senior programming.
Because of all of the questions concerning the legality of township financial support, the Schroeder Area Historical Society (SAHS) had withdrawn its request for $9,000. However, SAHS board member Linda Lamb asked to put the matter back in front of people and if they voted yes—and it was legal for the township to give financial support—SAHS would accept it. The paper ballot vote was 39 yes and 28 no.
Martinson wins supervisor seat
In election results Alicia Kangas received 62 votes for treasurer while Deb Johnson received 3 and Skip Lamb—as Schwecke said to great laughter—once again voted for himself.
Former West End Commissioner Bruce Martinson won a tight race for incumbent Deb Johnson’s seat 40 votes to 31 votes.
In other Schroeder Township business
. Treasurer Kangas said the township had a fund balance of $173,801.47. She reported that the storefront loan program had $68,737 to borrow with one outstanding loan left that when fully paid back will bring the funds to more than $90,000.
Scott Waterhouse made a motion to change the name of the storefront loan program to Schroeder Community Development Fund, which was seconded and voted in by a show of hands. Waterhouse suggested posting the loan program on the township’s new website to let Schroeder residents know it is available.
. Supervisor Roger “Bill” McKeever gave the Road and Bridge report and said that as of now the roads look fine. He also said he was opposed to the township’s plan to make a five year plan for the roads and bridges. “I don’t know who can predict five years ahead. Last year I was sure the roads were going to be bad and they turned out great,” he said.
. Deb Johnson gave the cemetery report. “Not much is going on at the cemetery,” she said, adding that she is trying to update all of the plots.
. Supervisor Tina McKeever asked for direction concerning long range plans to upgrade park facilities. She suggested they start with erosion control on the beach and parking lot because those needed immediate attention. Edna Granlund cautioned that any grants the township receives come with no stipulations that would take away any property. Steve Schug moved to authorize the township to seek grants to address environmental concerns in the park. Schug’s motion was seconded and approved.
. Fire Chief Phil Bonin gave the fire department report, saying there were eight members on the squad and they went to nine calls last year. He also gave the Search and Rescue Report. “We have 11 responders and we went to 48 calls, half in Schroeder and half in Tofte.” The contract between Tofte and Schroeder to share Search and Rescue services was renewed.
. Dennis Rysdahl stood and offered thanks to the first responders and fire fighters who came to help in the recent tragedy that took two people’s lives who were staying at Bluefin Bay Resort. Both guests drowned; one lost his life trying to save another man.
. Also approved was a capital reserve fund to replace ARMER radios that cost $2,500 each. Firefighters and Search and Rescue use the radios when they are on call or out on a job.
. The public approved the Cook County News-Herald as the official newspaper of record.
. The total budget for 2015 totals $116,800 with funds going to the general fund $35,000; Road & Bridge $35,000; Fire Department $19,000; Rescue Squad $10,800; Fire Relief $8,000; and Radio Replacement $1,000.
Finalizing the tax levy was tabled until the continuation of the annual meeting on Wednesday, August 12.
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