SOUDAN- The Breitung Town Board, at their meeting on Dec. 17, agreed to host three winter-time events in 2020, including Finlander Bocce Ball, an open house at the new Breitung Community Room, and Hockey Day Soudan.
Finlander Bocce Ball will be held on Saturday, Jan. 18 at the Soudan rink and is once again being sponsored by the Tower-Soudan Lake Vermilion Events Board. Good Ol’ Days will provide food and beverages for the event and the rink will be closed to skating on both Jan. 17 and 18. Mixed teams of four members will compete for prizes in the elimination-style tournament. Look for registration information in an upcoming paper.
The open house at the new community room will be held on Thursday, Jan. 23, from 2-6 p.m. The community is invited to see the newly remodeled building as well as visit with their neighbors. The new community room, at the remodeled town hall, will be available for rentals and to use for community activities and classes. Food will be served. Antique Soudan Post Office box fronts will be for sale at the event.
Hockey Day Soudan will be held on Saturday, Feb. 8 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Soudan rink, with Good Ol’ Days again selling food and beverages. The highlight of the day of hockey-related fun for all ages is the marquee game between Tower and Soudan, a rivalry that has been going on for 18 years. Tower has won the title the last three years, although Soudan won 15 straight years prior to that. Skaters ages 16 and up are welcome to play- you don’t have to register or be from either town, just show up if you want to play. For more information, call Greg Dostert at 218-248-3047.
In other news, the Breitung town board:
Heard that the police contract had been finalized, but details were not yet available.
Will send a letter to Tom Gorsma, the new Breitung Maintenance Director, with his start date of March 1, 2020.
Heard that new music speakers were installed in the Soudan rink’s warming shack.
Heard that the Breitung Fire Department will not pursue getting a member certified in car seat safety due to the extensive training and time commitment required. Instead, they will invite the Ely Fire Chief, who is certified, for a one-day car seat clinic at a yet-to-be-determined date.
Will seek a second quote for a TV mount and installation for the Breitung Community Center.
Heard that Lenci is still working on minor details for the building renovation project.
Paid an invoice to ARI for $1,495 and thanked ARI for sending a wreath.
Heard that $2,879 has been earned from the sale of antique post office box sales. The money will be used to purchase furniture and equipment for the community center. Boxes are still available. For more information, contact the Breitung clerk’s office, 218-753-6020, or they can be purchased at the Breitung Community Room Open House.
Heard that the wastewater project scored well for funding. The wastewater board hopes to receive funding from the state bonding bill, IRRRB, and CDBG. The $3.4 million project would update the water filtration system from a well to surface water treatment, resulting in better and safer water quality for Tower and Breitung residents.
Heard that the clerk/treasurer’s office will be open Monday, Dec. 23, Friday, Dec. 27, Tuesday, Dec 31, and Thursday, Jan. 2.
Heard that the township is considering upgrading the ballot-counting machine, which is very old. The cost to do so would be about $2,500. The board also set the polling place to be the Breitung Community Center.
Heard that the county will soon appraise the newly remodeled buildings.
Set the next meeting for Tuesday, Jan. 21 at noon.