BREITUNG TWP- The Breitung-Tower Police contract was approved by the Breitung Town Board at its last meeting on Dec. 2. The contract, if approved by the city, would have the city paying $65,351 for police services each year, a large reduction from previous years when they had paid $121,000.
The contract would begin on Jan. 1 and last for one year, with a review scheduled for October. The reduction in cost is due to a reduction in staffing hours, limiting the officer to 40 hours per week with no on-call time.
All personnel responsibilities, including the option to hire more officers, remain with the township. The contract states that, “Both parties will negotiate with one another in good faith to potentially establish a joint powers agreement to manage the police department.”
The board heard from Police Chief Dan Reing that he gave out three citations in November, and he is exploring several grant opportunities for improved equipment and possibly body cameras. The department currently does not own any body cameras. Reing also said there was a fund for $360 set aside for the Shop with a Cop program held by the police department in previous years. Reing will donate the funds to the local Operation Santa.
McKinley Park revenue is up by $7,278 from last year. Campground manager Susie Chiabotti reported that the summer went well, bookings were strong and guests were happy. Chiabotti said that costs stayed about the same last year, with the electric bill up by $590 and the garbage bill down $536, thanks to a recycling initiative. Chiabotti thanked the board supervisors, clerk and treasurer, and maintenance staff for their support and help over the summer.
Chiabotti signed a one-year extension of her management agreement for the park. The board raised the daily electric rate from $44.50 to $49.50 and the weekly electric rate from $275 to $300 to match other area campgrounds more closely. All other rates will remain the same.
In other news, the town board:
• Paid $111,985 to JPJ Engineering for their services.
• Made a resolution to make application to and accept funds from FEMA for fire department safety and operations equipment. The grant is for $50,000 - $100,000 and the township match would be $2,500 - $5,000.
• Paid $6,600 to Mesabi Bituminous for class 5 gravel, street repairs, and gravel pit work over the past several years.
• Signed the Ambulance Vehicle Replacement Aid Agreement which includes a $15 per capita contribution to the service.
• Heard that the hockey boards that were donated to the township and have sat unused for several years have found a new home at a private rink.
• Heard that the ambulance service has had the highest number of calls in a year with 452 calls and counting.
• Heard that the Tower Trails Plan is available for public viewing on the township’s website, breitungtownship.org, and comments are being accepted.
• Approved a variance application for Mary Batinich.
• Approved a joint powers agreement with the State of Minnesota, stating that the township’s police department will provide criminal justice data to the state.
• Made a resolution to apply to and accept funds from Vega 3 for the purchase of a newer ballot counter.
The next regular meeting will be Thursday, Dec. 23 at 12 p.m.