Supervisor Bob Berrini retained his long-time seat on the Town of Morse board Tuesday. The final vote totals showed Berrini with 130 votes and O’Neill Tedrow with 80.
Clerk Nick Wognum was selected as the moderator for the annual meeting, which started 20 minutes after polls closed at 8 p.m.
Treasurer Mary Ann Lekatz presented the financial report for 2025 which showed all township funds started the year at $231,437.65 and ended at $279,846.17 Lekatz presented the 2027 budget, which showed total expenses of $413,000, broken down to $274,200 for the general fund and $138,800 for road and bridge.
Lekatz explained that the Town of Morse loaned the Morse-Fall Lake fire department $24,657.48 per year for SCBAs through 2029.
Bill Erzar questioned the increase in road expenses. Berrini explained there were two storm washouts that required emergency repairs.
Township residents then decided to set the 2027 levy the same as it has been for years, $181,036.43 for the general fund and $184,693.73 for road and bridge, for a total of $365,730.16.
Berrini said he would like to see a six percent increase in 2028. He said there may be a drop in taconite revenues in the future.
The group set the 2027 election for March 9, from noon to 8 p.m., with the annual meeting to follow. The meeting adjourned at 8:54 p.m.
