SOUDAN- The mine siren, a long-time tradition in this area’s first and oldest mining town, has resumed its twice-daily sounding. The siren stopped working several years ago, and then needed to be removed from the top of the Breitung Fire Hall while the building was being removed. Township resident and Soudan Underground Mine State Park electrician Tony Zavodnik was able to repair the siren, though supply-chain issues meant the repairs took longer than expected.
The siren is once again sounding at 12 noon and 9 p.m. The siren has been used by many local families to let their children know when to come in for lunch, as well as when to be home for the evening.
At their special meeting on May 11, the board also approved some changes to the summer recreation project at McKinley Park. The township needed to make some changes, due to a funding shortfall. The project will now include only re-decking on two of the three McKinley docks, purchasing five or six new picnic tables instead of eight, and waiting to get quotes on the new playground equipment until other parts of the project are completed to insure adequate funding is available. The board still hopes to get the playground replaced this year.
“We should be able to get this done,” said Chairman Tim Tomsich, who said they hope to get the picnic tables and new canopy ordered right away, so they are available in time for the Old Settlers Picnic in July. The project also includes the purchase of a new sound system for the park, for which the Old Settlers Committee will be providing matching funds.
The board is closer to making a final decision on the rerouting of the Thompson Farm Rd., to allow for future expansion of the township’s adjacent gravel pit. They also met with staff from DNR Trails to discuss the routing of the proposed ATV trail from the ATV campground to be constructed in 2024, and existing trails in Soudan. The new trails should be open to the public in 2025.
The board holds its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, May 25 at 12 noon.