2014

                          SCHROEDER TOWNSHIP

      Minutes for Regular Board Meeting of Aug. 11, 2014

Present: Supervisors, Tina McKeever, Roger McKeever, Deb Johnson; Clerk, Doug Schwecke; Treasurer; Alicia Kangas, Fire Chief, Phil Bonin; Asst. Clerk Gale Ring, Commissioner Bruce Martinson, and residents of Schroeder.

The meeting was called to order by T. McKeever at 7:16 PM, following the adjournment of the continuation of the Annual Meeting.

  1. McKeever moved to approve the minutes from the regular Board meeting of July 8, 2014. D. Johnson seconded. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report: Receipts for July totaled $8,196.38. Disbursements totaled $5,251.68. The ending checkbook balance as of July 31 was $27,630.64. R. McKeever moved to approve the treasurer’s report. D. Johnson seconded. Treasurer’s Report was approved. R. McKeever moved to approve checks #3335-3357 in the amount of $5,227.19. D. Johnson seconded. Motion carried.

Lodging tax was not available for last month.

Commissioner Martinson: Bruce reported that the budget hearings will be Aug 25-26. So far Dept. Head requests are averaging about a 25% increase, with many non-profits also asking for large increases. Prior years led to 2-3% increases. Also PILT payments will be down about $150,000 and interest income will be about $165,000 lower, so there’s some work to be done there. He also urged everyone to get their ballots in to the Auditor’s office by 8 PM tomorrow for the primary election. So far about 50% have been returned.

SAHS- Linda Lamb reminded everyone that John Schroeder Days is this coming Saturday and will begin with a pancake breakfast put on by the Fire Dept. Later there will again be a historical walk, sawmill tour, and vendors set up by the Cross River Historical Center. Also don’t miss this year’s traveling exhibit, “Ojibwe Faces”.

Fire and Rescue: 2 fire calls, nothing major, and 8 rescue calls last month, so it was fairly busy.  4th of July parade went well with lots of candy thrown to the kids.

Road and Bridge:  Randy Merrit is working on the brakes on the grader that need to be replaced. No cost estimate is available at present. Several residents on Skou Rd. expressed concern that the washout from this spring hasn’t been fixed yet. While it is passable it is very narrow. Bill explained that Floyd Johnson was going to repair it, but then passed away. Curt Laboda was then contacted to do the repairs, but hasn’t gotten to it yet. They also suggested that we look into hiring the grading and general maintenance work, rather than fixing the grader and doing it ourselves. Clerk will get some estimates by next meeting. Also more brush should be cut around the first curve on Baraga Cross Rd., but the property owner needs to grant permission first as it is past Township’s easement. T. McKeever will try again to contact Mr. Buckman.

Cemetery: A new headstone for Paul Carlson was put in last month. Deb and Gale will work on updating the plot program.

Recreation: Discussed what could be done to remedy the trash problem at the park. While there  is a sign asking people to take their trash with them local residents are picking some up daily and Greg Johnson is picking up before mowing. Also the last service billing from G&G Septic reflected a $70 surcharge because people had thrown garbage and plastic bags in the toilet. It was agreed that putting a trash can down there would only amplify the problem. More signage was suggested. A small washout at east edge of parking lot by the picnic tables needs to be filled in. Clerk will contact Karl Crawford. It was suggested to put the bench on the grass.

Maintenance: Two new computers have been purchased, one for the Fire Dept. and the other for the clerk’s office. A website for the Township was discussed. Tofte has a nice one, but it cost $1,500 to set up. Clerk will explore using a web-builder to set one up for much less. Clerk will contact COMO to see if they will cash out the $100 credit we have carried for the last several years. Discussed removing the trees and honeysuckle from the backside of west welcome wall and replacing them with grass.

Other Business:  Tina McKeever was presented with a plaque for herself and Don as Schroeder’s 2014 Citizens of the Year.  Birch Grove School will hold an open house on Aug. 14 Cleveland Cliffs has a new CEO. It was suggested to wait until next spring or summer and then invite a representative to a meeting to discuss reopening the loading dock. The Baraga Park planning committee is waiting for the architect to deliver the final documents, after which they can apply for more grants.

  1. Johnson moved to adjourn. R. McKeever seconded. Motion carried.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:28.

Respectfully submitted,                                                          Approved Sept. 9, 2014

 

Doug Schwecke, Clerk