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The three west-end townships, Schroeder, Tofte, and Lutsen, held their annual township meetings on March 14, with elections and budgets (mostly) set for the coming year. Each township’s Board of Canvas met following the annual meetings to certify the elections.
Schroeder
The annual township meeting was held at the Schroeder Townhall. The turnout was relatively light, with no hot-button topics on the agenda.
Mary VanDoren was selected as the Schroder Citizen of the Year.
Carla Mennsen, Treasurer, and Lloyd Chase, supervisor, were both reelected. Chase received ten votes, and Carla got 11 votes.
Mary Somnis gave an update about the Cook County Housing Redevelopment Authority (HRA). Somnis said Minnesota Power is working with the Cook County HRA to convey a 40-acre parcel up Cramer Road to be used for housing.
Anna Green presented the approved budget for 2023: General fund ($45,000); Road & Bridge ($37,000); Cemetery ($4,000); Recreation ($9,500); Fire Department ($26,500, which includes a $4,000 loan payment); Rescue Squad, $12,000; Appropriations ($5,000) for a total of $139,000.
Voters approved granting the following sums of money: $1,500 for the Tofte Township July 4th fireworks and $1,000 to the Timberwolves Sportsman’s Club, and they agreed to waive the rental fee for the West End New Year’s Eve Party. In addition, four $75 gift certificates from Arrowhead Electric were accepted.
The 2024 tax levy was set at $50,000, the same as last year.
There will be no continuation of the annual meeting in August.
Tofte
The Tofte Township meeting was held at the Birch Grove Community Center.
Craig Horak received 17 votes to be reelected as a township supervisor for three years, while Alayna Carrier got 17 votes to retain the treasurer position for two years.
A discussion was held about the request from WE Connect to add new space for the 0-3 daycare, and there was a solar panel update.
Donation requests were given to the Sugarbush Trail Association ($1,500), Lutsen Alpine Junior Ski Team ($2,500), and Superior Timberwolves Sportsman Club ($2,500).
Cook County HRA Director Jason Hale gave an update about the proposed housing to be (someday) built behind Birch Grove.
“I presented a housing development concept with a prospective builder at the Tofte town annual meeting. There were some great questions from attendees, and general support for the project. At this point, the Township is reviewing an Option Agreement to sell the property to the HRA; concurrently, the HRA is working on a Development Agreement for the builder’s review if and when the Option Agreement is signed,” said Hale.
Lutsen Township
Lutsen Supervisor Lollie Cooper (19 votes) and Treasurer Ashley VanDoren (20 votes) each won reelection at the township meeting with 13 people in attendance.
The treasurer position is two years, while survivors serve three.
Judy Motshenbacher was nominated to moderate the meeting.
Cook County Commissioner Ginny Storlie gave an update about county board activities. Storlie’s report about KGM’s proposal to install a mobile asphalt plant near Tait Lake was of interest. The company has also asked to take gravel from a pit less than 200 feet from a designated trout stream.
Commissioner Storlie also answered questions about the county’s proposed capital improvement plan and the upcoming meeting with county assessor Bob Thompson where folks can ask questions about their assessment on their property.
The following donation requests were approved: $1,500 to Tofte Township for the 2024 Fireworks Display, $1,750 to the Junior Alpine Ski team, and $300 to support the Lutsen Community Fall celebration.
Ashley VanDoren presented the current proposed 2024 budget. General budget-township is $31,450; Fire District Budget is $191,600; Fire/EMS budget is $94,000.
The preliminary 2024 levy includes $25,000 for the general fund and $140,000 for the fire district until expenses and receipts are received throughout the year. In addition, this levy includes recommended donations and other yearly payments.
The final 2024 levy will be set on August 15, 2023, in continuation of the annual meeting at 6 p.m.
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