Once again the cost of Tofte Rescue Squad operations was a topic of much discussion at a Tofte meeting. On Thursday, January 14, Supervisor Paul James reported on the meeting with Schroeder representatives regarding rescue squad expenses and how they could be shared between the neighboring towns. “We looked at everything from soup to nuts,” said James. “We came up with $20,800 to run the rescue squad. We told them the costs and said we’re asking for half of the expense–$10,400.”
Tofte Emergency Medical Services Director Louise Trachta gave a report on rescue squad calls in 2009. She said there were 51 calls—27 in Tofte; 19 in Schroeder; 4 in Lake County; and 1 in Lutsen. Trachta said the rescue squad worked very well with the ambulance services from Cook and Lake counties. “I’m very proud of our responders,” Trachta told the town board. “Their care and professionalism are appreciated very much.”
In 2008 there were 45 calls, which Trachta said “were pretty evenly split” between townships. Supervisor Tom Muntean asked where the dividing line was and Trachta said Temperance River. There was discussion of whether the state park falls in Tofte or Schroeder. Trachta said it is easiest to use the river as a dividing line.
Curious about the history of how rescue calls have been divided, the board asked Trachta if she had that information. Trachta left the meeting to check her records and returned shortly with a total of 207 calls in the last five years—119 in Tofte; 88 in Schroeder.
Supervisor DC Olsen noted that the agreement for reimbursement could be adapted. “We could base it on 47% of the expense—but that’s not really that much of a reduction.”
Tofte resident Jim King, who has filed to run for town supervisor, asked if the townships should consider a five-year “rolling average.”
James said it is more than a matter of money to keep a rescue squad functioning. “Louise and her people put in a ton of time,” he said, noting that there are only two people from Schroeder on the rescue squad.
Turning to the citizens in attendance at the meeting, James asked, “What do you think? Is this fair?”
One citizen, Jerry Gervais noted that for many years Tofte has been under-budgeting its rescue squad costs and Schroeder hasn’t been paying its share. Town board candidate King said, “What’s done is done.”
Commissioner Bruce Martinson, a Schroeder township resident, reiterated what he said at an earlier meeting, “I think it’s fair for Schroeder to pay half.”
“It seems everyone is in agreement,” said James. “We came up with a good faith offer to divide it evenly. Let’s do it.” A unanimous motion carried to submit the new numbers to the town of Schroeder.
In other business
» Chair Paul James said Jerry Gervais had applied to serve
on the Cook County Planning & Zoning Commission. James said, “Jerry would do a good job. He has worked in construction his whole life.”
James made a motion to send a letter of support for
Gervais’ appointment to the planning commission. The
motion passed unanimously.
» Supervisor DC Olsen gave a report on activities at
the Birch Grove Community Center, which is housed in a building owned by the township. Olsen said businesses that operate out of the center, the Youth Hostel and Sven & Ole’s Pizza, have been having a good winter. Olsen also said the ice rink at the center is in good condition. The lights are on until 10:00 p.m. each night. He encouraged folks to come out and skate.
Olsen said Charles Lamb is putting together a plan for a new warming house. Birch Grove hopes to have the plan and costs for construction for a joint township Birch Grove meeting in February. » Commissioner Bruce Martinson reported to the board
that he had asked the Minnesota Department of Transportation when the township would see work begin on the reconstruction of Highway 61 through Tofte. He recommended that Tofte submit the drawings from its 2003 town planning process and request that the work be scheduled. “We can show how far along you are with the process,” said Martinson. “The further you are, the better the chance the project will be selected.”
Supervisor James said that was a good idea. “We’ve done a lot of preliminary work. We would certainly like to see our plan implemented.”
The board asked Clerk Barb Gervais to put the matter
on the February meeting agenda for further discussion.
» In not-so-good news, Olsen said part of the newly
installed septic system at the community center is frozen. Scott Robinson, who installed the septic system, advised that the frozen section be closed down. The remainder of the mound is adequate to handle septic needs until spring.
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