The 2015 Tofte annual meeting was held at Birch Grove Community Center and School, the focal point of several annual meeting agenda items. About 45 people gathered on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 to learn more about a senior housing project on township property and to vote on requests for financial support for the Birch Grove Foundation (BGF) and the Birch Grove Community School (BGCS).
Town supports school funding despite questions
Birch Grove Community School parents and board members made a case for funding the school. Parent and BGCS board member Jessica Cameron spoke about how proud she was of the elementary school and listed the awards and successful test results the school has seen. Cameron said, “I think we can all agree that for any community to experience growth, and for families to want to relocate to this area, we need to provide jobs, housing and schools. If Birch Grove School were to cease to exist, the equation for our ‘growing community’ suddenly becomes skewed.”
Cameron said since the school opened in 2004, it has stood on its own two feet due to its financial management and fundraising efforts. “Recently, due to the absence of affordable housing and a weak local job market, enrollment has decreased. But there is a solution to what we feel is only a temporary financial obstacle,” she said.
Cameron said BGCS is asking the townships to come together to recognize the importance of a school on the West End. She said BGCS is asking that the school be included in township budgets in the amount of $20,000 for the next five years, to be reassessed at that time.
Several people spoke in favor of funding the school. Lisa Nelson said, “I’m the proud grandma of soon-to-be six. Five of them will be attending this school!”
Birch Grove parents Sarena Nelson and Sarah Somnis made and seconded the motion to fund the school. However, before the vote was called Tofte Supervisor Paul James said it isn’t a question of whether or not the community wants the school.
James said the problem started with a state audit that raised the question of whether or not it was legal for the township to donate to a charter school through its levy. But, James said, “We can figure out a way to do this. It’s not millions of dollars.”
James said the final levy doesn’t have to be submitted to Cook County until September, so there was time to consult with township attorneys about ways to contribute to the school with non-levy funds.
There were questions on how the charter school was funded and what cost measures the school had taken; about staffing and the preschool and summer programs offered that are self-sufficient. Finally, Bill Hansen, who had been elected as moderator, called for the voice vote. The motion to fund Birch Grove Community School was passed by the majority, giving the town board the directive to find a way to contribute.
Foundation to receive funding for services
BGF Director Caroline Wood reported on the changes at the Birch Grove Community Center since she came on board in June 2014, including an increase in county funding of $30,000, as well as a number of other grants. Wood announced that she had just learned on March 6 that Birch Grove senior programming would be receiving a $20,000 “capacity building grant” from the Northland Foundation.
Wood said looking out in the audience, she saw a lot of “silver.” She said senior programming is important to the community.
Wood made a motion, “as a resident and as a taxpayer since 2004,” to approve a contract for recreational services of $10,000 and to support senior programming with $2,500. Julie Rannetsberger seconded and the motion carried with a majority voice vote.
Housing
Supervisor Jeanne Larson, appointed to oversee the 12-unit senior housing development adjacent to Birch Grove in November 2014, fielded questions from citizens. She said senior housing has been a community priority since the township worked on its five-year comprehensive plan in 2005. She said the town had looked at a variety of options from individual homes with attached garages to apartments above the Birch Grove Center. With the help of Community Resources Development (CRD), the town board settled on the current version of senior housing. Larson said the county had approved the township’s conditional use permit and the planned unit development (PUD) documents were almost complete.
Larson said the goal is for bid documents to go out in March, to be opened in April. The hope is to begin construction as soon as the frost lifts, with occupancy of the homes in September or October 2015.
Gary Hanson asked about an apparent annual budget shortfall of $10,800 in documents provided at a recent meeting. Larson said that was a “first run through” of the budget. She said the goal is that when all of the units are rented, the housing project will break even.
Hanson asked how the $140,000 tax abatement bonds would be repaid. Larson said rental money would repay the tax abatement bond. Another citizen asked if the bonds had been secured and what the interest rate would be. Larson said it is believed the bond interest will be 2.75 percent, but that won’t be known until bonding is finalized. “There’s no need to borrow money until we need it,” she explained.
Another resident asked what would happen if the units were not rented as expected. Larson said there are 6-8 potential tenants, five from Tofte. The plan is to first offer units to Tofte residents; then Lutsen and Schroeder; and then countywide. If the units are not rented by people 55-plus, the facility may be opened to younger people.
Gary Hanson asked what is included in the $950 rent. Larson said electricity and heat are additional, but garbage, sewer, snowplowing and lawn care are included.
There were a number of other questions and then Moderator Hansen said, “I know the supervisors would welcome community input and energy in setting up the rules and guidelines for the housing project.”
Challenges ahead
As the meeting wound down, Supervisor James reiterated that it was not known how the township would be able to support the charter school. Supervisor Jim King agreed, “We all need to realize this needs to take some engineering and work to carry it out.”
King added, “As we continue down this road, let’s not put senior housing versus the school versus the community center. We need to work together. We have a chance here to really make a difference— or really screw things up.”
In other business
. Election judges Tammy Rude, Diane Norman and Julie Rannetsberger provided the election results. Supervisor Paul James was reelected with 35 votes. New treasurer Erin Huggins was elected with 38 votes.
. The town passed unanimous motions to support the Tofte Timberwolves Snowmobile Club and the Sugarbush Trail Association with $1,500 each for trail maintenance.
. Fire Chief Rich Nelson said things have been “comparatively slow” from years past, with 19 calls. He said the department has 13 members, two who are new.
. Chief Nelson said the fire department had acquired a new tender truck capable of carrying 3,000 gallons of water. The tender was obtained from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources at no cost to the township.
. Nelson also reported that Cook County Search & Rescue now has a presence in Tofte. He said Search & Rescue has a Chevy Tahoe, a trailer, a four-wheeler and a snowmobile stored in Tofte for West End searches. Four members of Tofte emergency services are on the Search & Rescue team.
. EMS Chief Kim Jahnke, who shares duties with Phil Bonin of Schroeder, said there have been 48 calls this year. She said Tofte gets an excellent response from two ambulance services—Cook County and Silver Bay. She said she is extremely proud of all of the Tofte emergency response personnel.
. Bill Hansen said the fire and rescue people should be applauded. Jerry Gervais added that the township should recognize former EMS Director Louise Trachta, who retired this year. There was a round of applause in appreciation of her service to the township.
. There was another round of applause for Tofte Clerk Barb Gervais after Moderator Bill Hansen noted all the work she has done for the township. “I think clerk is the hardest job in the township,” Hansen said.
. Clerk Gervais invited community members to come to a meeting on April 15 as Tofte begins the process of updating its town plan. The township has received a grant from the Iron Range Resources Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) to update the town plan and community input is wanted.
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