SOUDAN- At the April 15 town board meeting here, Supervisor Matt Tuchel stepped into the role of board chairman and made his mark from the outset by establishing a new tradition for the board.
“We’re going to start doing the Pledge of Allegiance at our meetings,” he said. “The county does it at their board meetings, we do it at our annual meeting. I think it’s a good reminder that we’re here for the benefit of our citizens and our country,” he said.
Tuchel, who also serves as manager of the Tower-Breitung Waste Water District, reported that the wastewater board has worked with legislators to clarify the financing of the new water treatment plant. After clearing up some erroneous assumptions by state officials, the state’s Public Facilities Authority, or PFA, agreed to reduce the local contribution for the water plant project down to a $1.2 million loan, down from the $1.76 million the PFA had recently determined.
The loan interest also was a bright spot. The PFA had originally forecasted 2.45 percent and now it’s set at 1.68 percent, bringing the yearly loan payment to $53,000 instead of the forecasted $58,000.
In total, the $10 million water treatment plant will be funded by a $4.8 million PFA grant, $3.375 million from the Army Corps of Engineers, $3 million in state bonding, along with the loan for $1.2 million.
New payroll schedule
The board approved changes to the schedule of how the township pays its employees. New treasurer Teresa Dolinar recommended the changes to alleviate confusion and increase efficiency in her role. The township had been paying full-time employees every two weeks and hourly workers were paid bimonthly on the second and fourth Tuesdays. Now both classes of employees will be paid every two weeks.
Other business
In other news, the town board:
• Heard an update from Chief Reing on his search for a new squad car. The specific vehicle hasn’t been selected yet, but will likely be a Ford SUV or truck for about $45,000 plus $7,000 for equipment and $2,000 for decals.
• Set the Fourth of July community picnic for Sunday, July 6.
• Accepted donations from Laurie Anderson for $80.75 for any purpose and the Tower Civic Club of $100 specifically for flowers.
• Accepted the resignation of Jorgine Gornick from her role as Breitung Water Department Manager, effective April 30.
• Accepted a new sewer ordinance and set a special “electors” meeting to present the new sewer ordinance to township citizens, along with an animal control ordinance that was updated and accepted by the board last year. Before the ordinances can officially be enacted citizens must review the ordinances and give their recommendation for the town board to adopt them.
Next meetings
Local board of appeals and equalization meeting, Tuesday, May 6 at 1 p.m.
Special electors meeting to review new ordinances, Tuesday, May 20 at 5:30 p.m.
Regular board meeting, Tuesday, May 20 at 6 p.m.
All meetings will be held at the Tomsich Community Center.
March Breitung Police Report
Calls of service: 70
Citations: 3
1 adult male formal complaint for driving with a cancelled license, Inimical to Public Safety
1 adult male citation for speed (67 in a 50)
1 adult female citation for driving after revocation