The meeting was called to order at 6:59 p.m. by Chair Douglas Nelson.
Attendance:
Officers Present: Chair Douglas Nelson, Vice-Chair Donald Swanstrom, Supervisor James Wilson, Clerk Lita Wallace, Treasurer Carol Nelson, Deputy Treasurer Raymond Barnes
Officer Absent: Deputy Clerk Shane Stolp
Guests: Bonnie Dressen, Doug Dressen, Al Hanson, Peggy Hanson, Stephanie Jones, Stephen Jones, Charles Kuettel, Ted Wallace
Clerk’s Report
Wallace presented the August 2025 minutes. Swanstrom motion to approve the minutes, Wilson second, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay, Swanstrom yay.
Treasurer’s Report
AUGUST 2025
Total Funds on Hand 8/1/2025 $260,239.39
Plus: Deposits $10,982.08
SLC – payment in lieu of taxes 5,882.23
SLC – Taconite production 4,061.00
Interest 1,038.85
Less: Disbursements $1,022.50
Payroll 161.46
MAT dues 313.84
SLC – voting license 235.00
Other expenses 312.20
Total Funds on Hand 8/30/2025 $270,198.97
Checks Written 2176-2180
SEPT 2025
Expected Receipts None
Checks Written 2181-2191 $1,848.57
No transfer to checking needed
Wilson motioned to approve the Treasurer’s Report, second by Swanstrom, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay, Swanstrom yay.
Old Business
- Update on Subordinate Service District (SSD) progress for West Branch Road: Nelson and Wilson knocked door to door to acquire the required signatures for a petition from residents to establish an SSD. As required, Wallace verified that the petition is signed by landowners within the proposed SSD area and that the more than 50% requirement was met. The Board then scheduled a public hearing (October 14 after the Town Board Meeting), published in the Duluth News Tribune and other posting places. Once the establishment of an SSD has been approved and a resolution passed, landowners who disagree has 60 days to submit a reverse referendum signed by at least 25% of the landowners in the district. Upon receipt of a reverse referendum, the Township board will schedule an election for members in the SSD to make a final decision.The Auditor’s Office will calculate the property tax based on property value. It will be 2027 before they will see increase in their taxes.
- Special Meeting for a petition from property owners to establish a Subordinate Service District (SSD) has been moved to October 14 after the Town Board Meeting.
- Meeting with representatives of Mediacom will be held October 1 at 4:30 pm at Pequaywan Fire Hall update on Fiber optical cable internet: Mediacom is waiting for an approval of the federal grant which will be awarded in December. For now, Mediacom is interested to know how many people are interested. A link is provided on the flyer to fill out the online form.
- Planning for Pothole repairs on West Branch Road this fall: The Board is deciding whether to fill the potholes themselves or hire a company to do it. There was discussion on prices . A motion was made by Nelson and second by Wilson for $2000.00 to purchase materials in patching the holes by themselves.
- Results of Brush drop off day: Authorize purchase of another tarp to protect pile from snow before being burned: The Board thanks everyone who came and helped. Another tarp will be purchased in the amount of $100.00 to cover the brush.
- Update on snow plowing contract for 2025-2026 with St. Louis County, both Wallace and Nelson contacted Public Works and was told that the foreman has not submitted any additional requirements that needed to be done.
New Business
- Purchase of a brush mower to be used to clear along West Branch Road that is offset and towed with an ATV or tractor: The mower is a personal mower of Nelson which he is willing to have the township use.
- Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) is open again for funding opportunity. Application due December 12, 2025.
Correspondence
Received:
- Email from St. Louis County Public Works that snow plow online application is open.
- Email from St. Louis County Auditor’s Office that the Levy blank form pay for 2026 is available on their website.
- Invoice from Daisy Wallace for August web maintenance in the amount of $25.00.
- Invoice from Duluth News Tribune in the amount of $67.52 for legal posting of Public Notice re-establishment of Subordinate Service District.
- Invoice from St. Louis County Elections for OmniBallot license charge
Sent:
- Snow plow renewal application form filled out online.
- Final levy form mailed to St. Louis County Auditor’s Office.
- Legal posting with Duluth News Tribune re-Subordinate Service District meeting on October 14, online form completed.
Public Comment Request:
Bonnie Dressen is interested in working on the Wake Boat issue.
Doug Dressen shared his concern about Wake Boats. Interested to have a video tape recording or Zoom meetings.
Next Meeting, October 14, 2025, 7:00 p.m., Pequaywan Firehall
Nelson motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m., second by Swanstrom, motion carried. Nelson yay, Wilson yay, Swanstrom yay.
Next Meeting, October 12, 2025, 7:00 p.m., Pequaywan Firehall
Respectfully submitted by:
Lita Wallace, Clerk