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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Breitung Police Department faces uncertain future

Police chief Nylund resigns, leaving department without any full-time officers

Stephanie Ukkola
Posted 2/24/21

SOUDAN- The Breitung Board accepted, with regrets, the resignation of Breitung Police Chief Dan Nylund at its meeting Tuesday. Nylund’s last day will be Friday, March 5. The department’s …

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Breitung Police Department faces uncertain future

Police chief Nylund resigns, leaving department without any full-time officers

Posted

SOUDAN- The Breitung Board accepted, with regrets, the resignation of Breitung Police Chief Dan Nylund at its meeting Tuesday. Nylund’s last day will be Friday, March 5. The department’s lieutenant resigned just a month earlier, which leaves the department without any full-time officers. Nylund was attending a training and not present at the board meeting. He has accepted a job with the Virginia Police Department.
The board will hold a special meeting with city of Tower officials on Wednesday, March 3 at noon to discuss what direction police coverage in the Tower-Soudan area might go, whether it be outright cancellation of the contract between the governmental entities and closure of the department or a temporary suspension of the contract. It was also unclear whether or not the part-time Breitung officers could continue to work without a police chief. St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department will respond to emergencies and 911 calls during this time.
Though no decisions were made, the Breitung board members’ comments suggested they were in favor of keeping the department.
“I think people feel safer with seeing patrols,” said Chairman Tim Tomsich.
“Not having a police department could put a red flag out that we’re an easy area,” said supervisor Greg Dostert.
Tomsich said Nylund had posted an opening for a full-time officer (formerly Jason Sanderson’s position) but hadn’t received any applicants yet. Nylund had told Tomsich there are a lot of openings around the state, and the applicant pool would likely be limited.
Other business
In other business, the board:
• Heard that water lines have been freezing up and Breitung residents should consider running their water to prevent freezing. Residents are asked to call the township if their water line freezes or for more information about water credits for people who are running water to prevent freeze-up.
• Dostert reported that the ice rink was closed for a week due to bitter cold, and may shut down again for warmth, but that the ice is good for now. He said that hockey day was a success. Chimpy Tuominen is holding skating parties every Saturday and Jayne Sundeen is holding parties on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
• Heard that the township received two infrastructure grants, $145,000 from IRRR and $100,000 from CBDG. Among four separate projects, the top ones are replacing or repairing the sewer line from South Street going under Hwy. 169 and replacing or repairing manholes throughout town.
• The annual meeting will be held in person on Tuesday, March 9 at 8:15 p.m. There will be no phone-in option for this meeting due to the confusion of residents voting over the phone. The Board of Canvass meeting will follow. Residents are asked to call the town hall if they plan to attend, so socially- distanced seating can be set up in advance.
• Received letters of support for the McKinley Park Bike Trail grant application from the city of Tower, Old Settlers, Greenwood Recreation, Penguins Snowmobile Club, Lake Vermilion Events Board, Vermilion Lake Association, Horse Club, Vermilion Housing, Prospectors Trail Alliance, St. Louis County Highways, and a walking club.
• The Local Board of Appeal and Equalization will tentatively be Tuesday, May 18 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
• The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, March 23 at noon.