Tofte Supervisor Allan “D.C.” Olson was glum when he told fellow supervisors that Tofte had received a bill from Meyer Group for architectural work on a proposed warming house at Birch Grove Community Center that was $7,000 more than the board had approved.
Olson made his presentation to the Tofte board of supervisors on Thursday, March 8.
The township hired Meyer Group, an architectural firm, after ORB Management recommended the firm. Supervisors expressed their concern and frustration.
“Our agreement was for $5,000. If they were going to provide any additional services they were supposed to contact us for approval,” said Olson, who recommended the township not pay the additional $7,000.
“So no one from Meyers contacted us before they went ahead with this extra work?” asked Supervisor Paul James.
Olson said they had not. He also said ORB recommended that the township not pay the bill. “But ORB recommended them to us?” asked Supervisor Jim King. “And they are supposed to be overseeing this project?”
“Yes,” said James. “Because we aren’t professionals we hired ORB to give us professional advice about who to hire. They were supposed to be watching out for this kind of stuff but it’s like they let the cat out of the bag and then said, after we knew that, ‘hey, the cat’s out of the bag.’”
King made a motion to withhold paying ORB and Meyer Group. The board also had an invoice from ORB for $2,450 for services rendered. “Until we get this mess straightened out, I suggest we also withhold paying ORB,” said King.
But Olson said he thought ORB was doing its job and said the board should pay the consulting company. King deferred to Olson since he was working with ORB.
Supervisors estimated $150,000 to $175,000 to help with a redesign of the skating rink and to build a new warming facility. The funds are being paid out of the 1 percent sales tax being collected by the county to help promote recreation and boost tourism in the area.
The board voted unanimously to withhold payment from Meyer Group until the matter is straightened out, and voted to pay ORB $2,450 for its services.
“So far we have a ton of money in plans and drawings and not a stick in the ground,” said a frustrated James.
“One ton of money has been spent on planning,” said King, adding, “Are we going to have any money left for building?
When contacted, Tim Meyer said, “The bill is basically the result of changes required by the design revisions mandated by the Tofte Design Review Board (TDRB) and were above and beyond our original agreement. The TDRB required a ‘Scandinavian’ design concept to compliment other structures and the people of the Tofte community, which we felt was a good idea.
“We were more than happy to accommodate them, but the work was above and beyond our original scope of work and agreement. In fact, the structures were entirely designed before the changes were mandated.
“We are very proud to be involved with the project and are confident the community will be very pleased with the results this summer. The township board and ORB Management have done a great job steering the project,” said Meyer.
West End 4th of July
Diane Blanchette and Patty Nordahl presented a preliminary budget and some proposed changes for the township’s July 4th celebration.
Some big moves include changing the parade from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and hiring a band to play from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m.
There are a lot of ideas to consider, the women said. One is to have a “Battle of the Bands” from Cook and Lake counties during the day. The other is to provide more food and refreshments for an expected larger crowd. Last year food and drink ran short, because as Tofte Fire Chief Rich Nelson said, “The 4th was on a Monday and we usually get less people. But that wasn’t the case last year. We’ll try to be better prepared this year.”
The featured band will be the Fabulous Hotrods, a ‘6os act that performs three sets, including changes in costumes/clothing.
“They said they have over $1 million in equipment, so we need to have a tent set up for them in case of bad weather,” said Blanchette.
The supervisors were supportive and asked to be kept updated as things move forward.
Cell tower talk continues
Work on securing land for a proposed cell phone tower is coming along, said James. The attorney hired by the township is trying to get a quiet title for the 3 1/2 acre property now owned by the Futterer family. The Futterers have agreed to give the property to Tofte if they can receive the money they have paid for taxes on the land, which the board agreed to do once the title is cleared.
James said once the title has been cleared Bagley Construction can put up the 190-foot tower “in a week or so.” If all goes well, work could begin mid-summer, said James.
The tower wouldn’t be lit or have guy wires but it is also not a stealth tower, said James. It would be visible from the highway. It is also 50 feet taller than the stealth tower proposed last year.
“Because it is taller it will have a much greater range,” said James, adding that because it is not a stealth tower it will also allow Bagley Construction to lease more antennae arrays to providers.
The town was offered $300 per month by Bagley, but the township has countered with $500 per month to lease the land for the tower, said James. The township will get an annual 3 percent increase on the lease, said James.
D.C. Olson said that before any work begins, the plans for the tower would have to be reviewed by the county’s planning and zoning board.
Early grass fire
Fire Chief Rich Nelson said that the department was called out on February 11 to fight a grass fire. “A tree fell on the main power line, popped a fuse and the grass caught on fire. It’s the earliest grass fire ever for the town,” said Nelson, citing a lack of snow on the ground and the dry conditions.
“Otherwise, it’s been quiet,” Nelson said.
Rescue Squad Chief Louise Trachta said, “Everything is smooth and quiet. We have three of us going for training in Silver Bay next month. Every two years we need to get updated. But that’s about it.”
Senior housing still sought
Paul James and Tofte residents Patty Nordahl and Bill Hansen met with an official from the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation recently to discuss a grant that, if approved, would be used to pay for an engineering study for land near the Birch Grove Community Center to see if it could be used for the development of senior housing.
James said he and Hansen came away from the meeting with no guesses as to how the foundation would react to their proposal for funds. The township is looking at a variety of options to have senior housing built in the township so that residents don’t have to leave the community when they are unable to fully take care of their houses and other personal needs.
The foundation will make a decision on the grant at its March 22 meeting, said James.
In other business
Cook County Assessor Mary Black will be available on Thursday, April 26 at 7 p.m. at the Tofte Town Hall to hear appeals at the local Board of Appeals and Equalization. James said that anyone who has questions about the valuation of their property concerning their tax bill should come and ask for an explanation. Tax bills have been changed based on logical arguments, said James.
Approximately 30 to 40 small blue and black spruce trees will be purchased for the cemetery and park, said James. The trees are hardy, deer don’t eat them, and they grow relatively fast, said James.
The trees will be two to four feet tall and cost approximately $20 to $100 each, James said.
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