The cost of shared emergency rescue squad services was discussed again at the December 10, 2009 Tofte town meeting. Town Clerk Barb Gervais reported that the Schroeder town board wants to see a breakdown of costs before it signs a new contract with Tofte for the services of its rescue squad. Tofte had asked for an increase in its contract, which expires December 31, 2009.
In its last contract, which covered 2007 through 2009, Schroeder had agreed to pay $5,000 a year. Tofte is proposing to increase that to $6,000 a year.
Supervisor Paul James asked Gervais to determine the actual costs incurred by the town on behalf of the rescue squad, including land, building, building depreciation, insurance, heat, snowplowing, electricity, utilities, licenses, equipment, turnout gear for First Responders, and use of the town hall for meetings.
Commissioner Bruce Martinson, a Schroeder resident, said, “I definitely think we’re getting our money’s worth.”
A meeting to discuss Tofte’s rescue squad costs and the contract with Schroeder will be held at 6:00 p.m. Monday, January 11, 2010 just before the regular fire department meeting. Schroeder supervisors will be invited to the meeting as well.
Birch Grove Community Center
Supervisor James asked Commissioner Martinson when the county board would want to look at plans for Birch Grove Community Center outdoor recreation improvements that could be funded with the new county 1% sales and use tax to begin in April. Martinson said probably March.
It would be nice, said Supervisor DC Olsen, if they knew what amount they should plan for. The 1% committee comprised of elected officials throughout the county had considered spending $500,000 on Birch Grove. Birch Grove Director Jessa Wallendahl is planning to get cost estimates for projects that could be funded by the 1%, Olsen said.
Martinson said the amount that can be sustained in ongoing operating costs for the community center/pool complex in Grand Marais needs to be determined, because that will affect the size of the building, which will affect the amount available for other projects.
The county board is considering hiring an administrator who could help guide the 1% projects. Supervisor Paul James and Jim King both indicated they think the county needs an administrator. Right now, James said, the county’s department heads seem to be running the county without any cohesive plan.
Martinson said he would propose that the county use an increase in government payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILT) to pay for a county administrator and to lower the proposed 7% increase in the county tax levy.
Supervisor Olsen reported on Birch Grove’s new biomass-pellet-fueled boiler. “The pellet furnace is working good,” he said. “It’s still only running at a fraction of what it could work at.” Johnson Controls of Duluth inspected the old boiler system, now a backup to the pellet boiler, at a cost of $1,247 and suggested some software for the system that probably won’t be purchased, Olsen said. The inspection included $1.75 per mile for transportation. At Birch Grove’s request, the board agreed to pay for half of the inspection.
Birch Grove School Co-Director Diane Blanchette will fill Jessa Wallendahl’s position January through March while Wallendahl is on leave to student teach.
Election openings
Tom Muntean’s supervisor position and Barb Gervais’ clerk position will be up for election in March. Gervais said she would run for the clerk position again. “I enjoy doing this,” she said.
Muntean said he would not be running for re-election. Theboard asked Jim King if he would consider running for Muntean’s seat, and he agreed. “I never keep cookies in the house, and that’s why I come,” he said. Jerry Gervais offered to fund the $2 King would have to pay to file for office.
The filing period is December 29-January 12. “It’s a really grueling election process in Tofte,” Supervisor James said.
“I’ll start getting my campaign signs and slogans,” King responded.
The town annual meeting will be held in March at Birch Grove Community Center.
In other news:
The board decided to send a letter to the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission in support of a rock cairn sign similar to several others designating towns along Highway 61. The $20,000- plus price is ridiculously high, said James, but grant money would fund most of it.
Four percent of Tofte’s share of the 3% lodging tax is being set aside for upgrades to the tourist information/Tofte Fishing Museum building for the purpose of promoting the Town of Tofte. The rest of Tofte’s share is sent to the Lutsen-Tofte Tourism Association.
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