SOUDAN — A new item of concern popped up at this month’s Breitung Town Board meeting — feral cats.
The town board discussed the numerous complaints received about an abundance of feral cats in Soudan, noting that some of them have been breeding.
“I’ve received a lot of calls from both sides,” said clerk Amber Zak, referring to residents who would like cats abolished or left alone. The board directed Supervisor Erin Peitso to work with Police Chief Dan Reing to address the cat issue.
The township decided to live-trap the cats and bring them to local shelters. If shelters will not accept the cats, the township may not have any alternative but to dispose of the animals. The township acknowledged that several residents have called to ask that cats not be disposed of, and the township will do its best to find a no-kill solution.
As a reminder, residents of Breitung may only acquire up to three pets (cats and dogs), and the pets must be licensed with the township. A lifetime license is available for $20 per each spayed/neutered animal and $30 if intact.
The township also asks that residents refrain from feeding the cats or other wildlife such as deer or bears. When wild animals depend on humans for food, it can lead to issues of disease, nuisance behaviors, and increased risk of accidents.
In other news, the Breitung Town Board:
• Acknowledged the April fire department report that noted the department responded to electrical problems and a false alarm at the old St. Louis County Garage, which now is owned by the city of Tower. The UTV for wilderness fire and medical rescue was ordered and is expected in the fall. The department has applied for some grant dollars to help with this purchase but hasn’t received any awards yet.
• Treasurer Teresa Dolinar reported a new accounting system to account for township expenses in different departments.
• Heard from Chief Reing that the new squad car is getting outfitted. In the search for missing man Derek Lerfald, Reing said that the St. Louis County Rescue Squad will use tools such as drones and dogs to search rivers, lakes, and woodlands.
• Heard from resident Trudy Hendricks, who reported that many drivers fail to stop at the intersection of Stuntz Bay Rd. and Jasper St. The township said they will look into addressing the issue, mostly likely by adding a “stop ahead” sign higher up the hill on Stuntz Bay Rd.
• Heard that the Thompson Farm Rd. relocation project will be substantially completed by Oct. 9.
• Passed a motion to sign the ARDC contract to create a joint comprehensive plan between Breitung and Tower, contingent on grant funding from IRRR.
• The board reported they are in the process of evaluating residences for blight issues.
• The board passed a resolution to appoint supervisors Erin Peitso and Steve Tekautz to the Joint Airport Zoning Board of the Tower Municipal Airport.
• Passed a resolution committing to and supporting The Vermilion Housing Corporation housing rehabilitation project.
• Approved sending a letter of support to the Bois Forte Band for renovation to the Y-Store Intersection along Hwy. 169.
• Adopted a resolution to make application to and accept funds from IRRR Development Partnership Grant in the amount of $5,250 for consultant fees for the project of improving the handicap accessibility of McKinley Park Campground. The board also gave a special thanks to Nancy Larson for donating her time to this project.
• Passed a motion to sign a contract to provide fire service to Unorganized Township 63-15 for a cost of $13,000 to the unorganized township for the term of Jan. 1, 2027-Dec. 31, 2027. Fire service is currently provided by Greenwood Township Fire Department which decided not to renew their contract.
• Passed a motion to put Fire Engine 2 up for auction on MNBID with a minimum bid of $50,000.
• Passed a resolution authorizing the township to apply for and accept funds for the fire department’s new side-by-side from the IRRR.
The next monthly meeting will be held Tuesday, June 16.