The Fall Lake Township meeting earlier this month involved a lot of discussion of township roads, but Supervisor Eric Hart first spoke about the Hero’s Breakfast held in Two Harbors.
“We had some first responders that went down there, and they were recognized. So, it was a good deal,” said Hart. He received pictures from First Responder Mike Harri.
Lake County Commissioner Joe Baltich said he attended the breakfast.
“The sponsors were shocked at the fact that Fall Lake was there,” said Baltich. “Because this has been going on for 13, 14 years, and we have never had anybody there. Our guys, four of them, received an appreciation award. It was good PR.”
Transfer site attendant Dean Barrett said the brush is scattered and does not need to be pushed up yet. He said he had Eric Gruba relocate the garbage bins, so plowing can be done between them.
Barrett and Todd Garvey were able to work out their schedules and the recycling bins are good.
“Garvey was on duty last week,” said Barrett, “and he did a pretty good job.”
MSA engineer Jeff Goetzman addressed the 2025 Local Road Improvement Program application process. He said there is $5 million that is supposed to go to townships as part of this process and applications are due Dec. 12.
A road improvement application was submitted two years ago for the Sunset Road Project, and that was awarded. Goetzman is willing to work with the township at no charge to put together another application.
Supervisor Craig Seliskar and Goetzman spoke a couple weeks ago. They looked at a section of Garden Lake Road where curves, a change of some culverts and some ditching is needed. There is at least one alternate alignment that meets the design standards that the funding typically uses, so there is a state design chart that the township can follow.
The first mile of Garden Lake Road could use some resurfacing with improvements, and then maybe try to realign the worst section.
Seliskar said the township was already $600-700,000 over budget for the Sunset Road.
“I guess for that reason, I think it would be in better interest in the township to improve that first mile of Garden Lake Road,” said Seliskar. “I would support the application for the first mile. Not for realignment, but resurfacing, ditching and for culverts.”
The board agreed, with a resolution added.
Goetzman discussed capital improvements for other township roads. Hart said the board talked about holding off on other projects so the board can roll it into their budget.
Lastly, Goetzman said the county was working on finishing the work needed on the Sunset Road, making a few changes. He said the wetlands alignment was done, and the township will not have to pay for the wetland credits. The state will cover this cost.
There was discussion about the invoice from MSA that surprised Hart in the amount of $29,583.60. The board approved to pay it.
Christoph Ender discussed the Aquatic Invasive Species CD3 boat cleaning station. The board accepted the unit from Minnesota Lakes and Rivers, and entered into an agreement with WICOLA for the next three years. The township will find a place to store the unit.
The board certified the township has 19.9 miles of roads.
Treasurer Don Stocks said the Ely Area Ambulance payment, in the amount of $22,500 needs to be a check, not a transfer of funds so they have a record of the payment. The payment by check was approved.
Supervisor Adam Masloski gave a Community Center Group update. He said they have a meeting on Dec. 15.
“The sheriff and Cheri DeBeltz will attend, and my neighbor will be coming too,” said Masloski. “We are keeping the group small right now. We want to make sure we understand what is going on. They have suggested showers for the sheriff and sleeping quarters.”
Masloski said he had copies of the invoices for Bollig Engineering and submitted them to the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation.
“We paid first and they pay us back,” said Masloski.
Baltich said he was asked if Lake County had any issues with timberwolves. He said the Department of Interior is looking into this matter and participation would be good from this area. If anyone has any information of wolves being a problem to contact Baltich.
Baltich also reported the county has a new loader backhoe in the township and the county is asking if the township has a place to park it under a roof.
Seliskar said an area was signed on the Cloquet Line because of water backing up on the road due to beavers. A culvert was reset on White Iron Beach Road, and a lift was put on the corner of the road. He said salt had been delivered.
Hart said he attended a joint powers meeting and that the legislative meeting will be held on Jan. 5 at Grand Ely Lodge with a lunch beginning at 11:30 a.m.
In correspondence:
• Received information on Northwoods Partners’ Festival of Trees and their newsletter. There are several levels for donations. $500 was approved.
• Received information about a refresher for clerk and treasurer training. The board approved covering the cost if DeBeltz was interested in attending.
• Information received about the RAMS annual dinner to be held on Tuesday, Dec. 9.
• A notice was received that Minnesota’s paid leave provisions will go into effect on Jan. 1.
• Receive a request of funds from Ely Community Healthcare with $500 approved.
• Request for funds from the Ely Hoop Club with $400 approved.
• Ambulance Joint Powers meeting will be held on Monday, Nov 24 at the Winton Community Center.
• The next regular Fall Lake Township meeting will be held on Dec. 3 at 6 p.m.
