The Tofte senior housing project continues to move forward. On October 10, 2013, consultant Dick Grabko talked to the Tofte Township Board about the project. He estimated that the cost of a 10-unit development would be $1,757,000 and recommended applying for a $350,000 “public works” grant from the Iron Range Resource and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB). He said he thought the project could be done by next fall.
The IRRRB would require the township to build within one year of receiving funding and would want to see an increase in the tax base and in employment as a result of the project, Grabko said.
Grabko estimated the cost of each two-bedroom unit would be $120,000. He was waiting to hear back from numerous builders regarding their interest in contracting to build the units. Whether they would be singlefamily homes or duplexes has not yet been decided.
The board authorized Grabko to apply for the IRRRB public works grant on the township’s behalf and agreed to set up a meeting with financial consultant Bruce Kimmel of Ehlers to discuss financing options.
After Grabko had left the meeting, the board talked about saving costs by putting the houses on slabs rather than crawl spaces as suggested by Grabko, which would also allow homeowners to save on heating costs because the slabs could be heated. Board Chair Paul James said he would like to see the homes be connected to the Birch Grove Community Center pellet boiler. The system is running at the lowest possible level right now and has a lot more potential, he said.
James said they could expect a 2-3 percent return on their investment in the housing project in just the first year.
Greenhouse
The board discussed potential locations on Birch Grove Community Center property for the greenhouse that had been donated to the township. Board Chair Paul James recommended putting it in a visible spot. Jerry Gervais said Cook County Assistant Planning & Zoning Administrator David Demmer did not want to have it located on any wetlands. Gervais pointed out that getting water to the greenhouse without too much expense was a factor in deciding where to put it.
James said locating the greenhouse between the senior housing development and Birch Grove would be nice.
Cell tower
Clerk Barb Gervais said tower consultant Shane Begley had estimated that the Verizon cell tower could be up by November 1. She did not know when Verizon would be able to get its equipment installed on the tower, however.
Fourth of July fireworks
The board approved a three-year contract with pyrotechnician Curt Serbius for putting on the Fourth of July fireworks. The township will pay $5,000 a year and will get more product if they pay by the end of the year.
Cemetery
John Nelson reported on the work he had been doing at the township cemetery. He said the perimeter needs brushing and the pine trees could be trimmed up. “There’s no end to work!” he said.
Board Chair James said they spent way more than the $4,000 they had budgeted for maintenance of the park and cemetery this year. The board talked about giving more hours to township maintenance worker Lee Jahnke.
The board talked about having more work done on the park next spring. Supervisor Jim King said he did not support having a full-time maintenance employee at this point. He added, “The park looks so good. It’s almost tempting to keep going with it, but you’ve got to stop somewhere.”
Snowplowing
The board approved a plowing contract with Randy “Cooter” Nelson, the only bidder. The township will pay $95 a time for plowing the town park and cemetery and for snow shoveling around the town hall and $90 a time for clearing snow around the Birch Grove Community Center.
Lake Superior access point
Paul James said local resident Bob Marshall had approached him about whether the township might want to talk to the state about creating a lake access near the Gitchi Gami Bicycle Trail between mile markers 84 and 85. The board passed a motion to contact Cheryl Erickson of the Scenic Byway Committee about intrest and potential funding for an observation area on state land overlooking the lake at that spot.
“The problem with the Gitchi Gami Trail,” James told the News- Herald, “is that it’s a wonderful trail with very little lake acess.”
Fire department
Fire Chief Rich Nelson reported that big waves—“10-footers”— plugged the water pump in the park again.
Nelson said his crew would be receiving training in use of the new Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Response (ARMER) equipment. They will keep some of their old equipment, however, because the U.S. Forest Service will not be using ARMER. “It’s kind of a big deal,” Nelson said of the new radio system. “Kind of a big change.” The radios work in a lot of places, he said, but there are still some dead spots.
The Tofte Fire Department went to Birch Grove for an hour and a half on October 10. They handed out fire safety books and crayons, some pictures were taken, and the kids got to work the fire hose.
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