SOUDAN – The Breitung Town Board voted to go on record in support of the Tower Area Ambulance request for a bump in ambulance subsidy funding for 2023 to help pay for the purchase of a third ambulance.
At their Aug. 25 meeting, Supervisor Chuck Tekautz reported on the previous night’s meeting of the ambulance commission regarding the combined efforts by Breitung, the Bois Forte Band, Greenwood, Vermilion Lake, Eagles Nest, Kugler, and the City of Tower to replace one of the current ambulances, which is now ten years old.
“The ambulance director got three quotes on new ambulances,” Tekatuz said. “We’re going to need a replacement.”
Breitung Township currently contributes $8,700 in its per capita annual subsidy towards the ambulance. Tekautz explained the ambulance service, which has been struggling financially, does not want to have to incur debt for this purchase. Tekautz said they are asking all the member boards if they’ll go along with the normal levy this year and double the levy next year. For Breitung, that would mean an increase to about $18,000 next year.
“That would give us a new ambulance free and clear, if all the townships participate,” said Tekautz.
Greenwood Township didn’t send a representative to the previous night’s meeting, Tekautz said, noting that Greenwood has a consulting bill of $55,000 for its own ambulance study.
“That’s the second meeting they haven’t been at,” Tekautz said.
Tekautz asked that the Breitung Board “set an example” by going on record that they approve going forward with the levy required to fund a new ambulance.
“We’ll need participation from all of the townships to make this work,” Tekautz reiterated.
Breitung Police Chief Dan Reing’s monthly report detailed a busy July.
“We had 64 calls. One of our more exciting calls was somebody put a smoke bomb near one of the porta potties. Otherwise, (the month was) pretty good, pretty subdued. We visited the campgrounds a lot, and they’ve made comments that they like to see us there. Nothing too major, just very steady. It kept us hopping.”
“August has started out really fast too,” Reing added.
Reing also reported that the AEDs have arrived, bringing the total on hand to five, with one in the office. Reing said he hopes to put an AED unit in McKinley Park, but it’s late in the year and the batteries require temperatures that are neither too high or too low in order to last.
In other business the board:
• Discussed a possible collaborative effort with Stuntz Bay Association to secure grant funding for the Stuntz Bay (dock) project.
• Examined and discussed maps for possible ATV routes on township land.
• Scheduled Big Truck Night for Sept. 27 starting at 3:30 p.m.
• Voted to accept a donation from Barb Burgess, who contributed her time as an election judge.
• Approved a new youth employee per maintenance supervisor Tom Gorsma’s recommendation.
The next meeting of the board will be Thursday, Sept. 22 at noon.