The township of Tofte had a high turnout for its election with 60 ballots cast. Election Judges Julie Rannetsberger (left) and Tammy Rude assist a voter. Not pictured is their fellow judge Diane Norman.
Although the town of Tofte saw a record number of voters for the March 11, 2014 election—60 votes were cast—there was relatively small attendance at the annual meeting after the polls closed. The meeting went fairly quickly until it came time to discuss the 2015 levy.
About 25 people gathered in the social room of the Birch Grove Community Center, with chairs lined up along an aisle that held two buckets catching water leaking from the roof. Since the township of Tofte owns the Birch Grove building, Supervisor Paul James was quick to reassure citizens that the roof had been replaced recently and there was insurance to cover the cost of repairs. He commended outgoing Supervisor Allan “DC” Olsen for his work on the contract that included a warranty on the rubber membrane roof.
Jeanne Larson wins supervisor seat
Supervisor James was elected to serve as moderator of the annual meeting. Midway through the meeting, Election Judges Julie Rannetsberger, Tammy Rude and Diane Norman brought in the election results. Before the announcement, Supervisor Jim King said the community should recognize the contributions of outgoing Supervisor Olsen. King said, “He will get his name on a plaque, but he deserves much more than that. He has taken on some pretty significant tasks for the township. Thanks, D.C.”
Several audience members also said thank you and there was a hearty round of applause.
Moderator James then read the results. Clerk Barb Gervais, who was running unopposed received 56 votes.
The two candidates for the vacant supervisor seat—Judy Motschenbacher and Jeanne Larson—had to wait a moment to hear the results, as James thanked both of them for being willing to step up and for all they had already contributed to the community. James then announced that Larson had won the election with 31 votes; Motschenbacher received 29 votes.
Supervisor King said, “We were very fortunate to have two very qualified applicants!”
Budget decisions postponed
Before tackling the budget, the community heard reports from the Birch Grove Community School (BGCS) and Birch Grove Community Center.
Community School Director Diane Blanchette said at the beginning of the school year the budget was close to break even. “We started the year with a fund balance of $15,000. That was not very comfortable.”
Making things worse, since then the school lost five children because of families relocating. Blanchette said the loss of students means a loss of funding. Also, she said, the Birch Grove Foundation no longer gives financial support to the school.
Blanchette noted that the BGCS Kindergarten Roundup was held earlier that day and nine children had attended. “They may not all go here, but it looks like our numbers will be better.”
Blanchette described what the school had done to cut costs and said the school appreciates the support it had received from the townships in the past. However, she said BGCS’s sponsor, the Volunteers of America, recommends a minimum of a 10 percent fund balance for the 2014-2015 school year. To have that fund balance, Blanchette asked for the township’s help once again, with a contribution of $8,000. She said the school is asking the same of all three townships.
Bill Hansen made a motion to make that addition to the town budget. Marcia Hansen seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Blanchette said, “Thank you very much. Birch Grove Community School appreciates it very, very, much.”
Birch Grove Foundation Vice-chair, and newly-elected Tofte Supervisor, Jeanne Larson said the foundation would be submitting its strategic plan and budget to the township. She said the foundation is working on a grant to the Northland Foundation for some senior programming and to facilitate use of the large greenhouse the foundation has acquired. Larson said the foundation is looking to grow the community through partnerships, such as possibly becoming a satellite location for the Cook County Family YMCA.
Budget discussion followed, with Judy Motschenbacher asking for a In other business: clearer picture of the Birch Grove Foundation’s finances. “In a roundabout way, the township is funding the foundation,” she said. “I think we need a clear picture of what the building is costing the township.”
Tammy Rude noted that no matter who pays the building expenses, the township is ultimately responsible. Blanchette said that is correct, but noted that the township should know exactly how much money the foundation brings in. Gary Hanson said he agreed, pointing to the foundation’s handout that states that the foundation brings in $45,000 in revenue, with $62,392 in expenses. “How much is the township giving the foundation?” Hanson asked.
Supervisor King suggested holding a series of meetings to scrutinize the budgets of the town, the school and the foundation, but added that with questions such as this, “We’re cutting off our nose to spite our face. None of us can do this alone. We’re trying to work together to keep this going.”
Moderator James agreed and said, “This is not the time or place to discuss this.”
It was finally agreed to table the budget discussion until the continuation of the township annual meeting at 7 p.m. on September 11, 2014.
In the meantime, it was agreed to hold special meetings to look at the finances surrounding the operation of the Birch Grove facility.
Senior housing update
Supervisor King gave a brief update on the senior housing project the township has undertaken. He said town officials had recently had their fourth meeting to discuss the project with consultants Community Resources Development (CRD), DSGW Architects, MSA Engineering Consultants and Dynamic Homes. King said cost projections from Dynamic Homes had come in a little under expectations. “That’s a good sign,” he said.
He said the township and its consultants still need to meet with Cook County to discuss septic system options. King said it is hoped that the housing project can be tied into the current Birch Grove system versus creating a new onsite system for the housing. “There would be a huge savings if we can tie into the existing system. We are also looking at tying in to the school’s pellet heating system,” said King.
Dennis Rysdahl asked who would own the housing development and who would manage it. King said the town would own it and the Birch Grove Foundation would manage it.
“So the town would be on the hook?” asked Rydahl.
Supervisor James said the township is working really hard to ensure they do things right. He said they are seeking a general obligation bond to finance the project, which would give the township the best interest rate. He said the township is working to keep the projected rental at $900 a month. “We’ve spent countless hours, picking the brains of Dynamic Homes, to get the exact right placement of the facility to use the least amount of fill and so on,” said James.
Rysdahl asked what the layout of the development would be. King said the township has examined several different options. “Right now we’re looking at a cluster of six duplexes in kind of a narrow horseshoe shape,” said King.
James said there would be more public meetings as the project progresses.
. District 5 Commissioner Bruce Martinson, who represents Lutsen, Tofte and Schroeder, gave a brief report of county activities and introduced new County Administrator Jay Kieft. Kieft talked a little bit about the purpose of his position and noted that it was good to see the amount of participation at the West End meetings. “It’s good to see a large group of people involved in local government,” he said.
Supervisor James invited Kieft to come to a regular town meeting and Kieft said he would do that.
. Fire Chief Rich Nelson said the year started out pretty busy with major fires at Bluefin Bay Resort, Devil Track Resort and the Finland church. He said three firefighters are currently taking training to become firemen and another wants to join. He said once they are all on board the department will be up to 14, which is what he likes to see.
Nelson noted how hard all of the people in his department work and said, “I just want to thank all the guys on the fire department.”
. EMS Chief Louise Trachta said Tofte EMS had responded to 53 calls in the last year, the most she has seen in her 14 years on the department. She said, “I still get a high response rate and we have a good rapport with the people we work with. We get a terrific response from the Grand Marais and Silver Bay ambulances.”
Trachta announced that she will be retiring at the end of 2014 and will also be leaving the fire department at the end of 2015. She said it was a hard decision, but added. “I want to make it a smooth transition. Rich [Fire Chief Nelson] and I are talking and we will make a recommendation to the board. I didn’t want to leave Rich in the lurch.”
. Clerk Gervais said she had some questions for the township about the West End 4th of July celebration. She asked if the celebration should once again run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. She asked if the parade should again be held at 2 p.m. And, she asked if the township should once again hire local bands. Citizens at the meeting all answered “yes!” to all three questions.
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