TOWN OF KABETOGAMA
ANNUAL MEETING
MARCH 9, 2021
DRAFT
The annual meeting of the Town of Kabetogama was called to order by Clerk Manninen at 8:15 pm on March 9, 2021. There were 12 people attending this meeting. Those attending the meeting recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Clerk Manninen called for nominations for a moderator. Marlene Tomczak moved to nominate Larry Warrington, seconded by Bryan Wichner. Clerk Manninen asked if there were any other nominations, (twice). A voice vote was taken for Larry Warrington as moderator. All voted aye, no nays, Larry was voted as moderator.
Agenda: The agenda was reviewed by all. Mary Manninen moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Tim Watson, all voting aye, motion carried.
The Clerk was asked to read the Board of Audit minutes from the February 2, 2021 meeting. Betsey Warrington moved to accept the Board of Audit minutes, seconded by Mary Manninen, all voting aye motion carried.
Old Business:
The minutes from the 2020 annual meeting were reviewed by all. Marlene Tomczak moved to accept the minutes with one correction to the levy amount from 94,700 to 92,700 seconded by Tim Watson, all voting aye motion carried.
The moderator read the dates for the next Annual Township Meeting. The annual meeting will be held on March 8, 2022 at the Kabetogama Town Hall at 8:15 pm. Alternate bad weather date is March 15, 2022 same location and time.
The next Annual Township Election will be held on March 8, 2022 at the Kabetogama Town Hall from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. Alternate bad weather date is March 15, 2022 same location and time. Mary Manninen moved to accept these dates, times and locations, seconded by Char Watson, all voting aye, motion carried.
Election Results – Moderator Warrington asked for the results of the Annual Township election held March 9, 2021. For the position of Supervisor 3-year term, John Stegmeir received 13 votes and there were no write-ins. For the position of Treasurer 2-year term, Deana Callais received 12 votes with no write-ins. Marlene Tomczak moved to accept the 2021 election results, seconded by John Stegmeir, all voting aye, motion carried.
Lake Kabetogama Volunteer Fire Department Annual Report 2020
Fire Chief Bryan Wicher gave the following report - The fire department is doing well. One of the biggest concerns is the membership recruitment. There are currently 10 active members and must remain there in order to be eligible for the state fire aid money.
The COVID 19 pandemic has changed the way we operate. Increased usage of PPE and cleaning supplies were expenditures we did not expect. Maintenance and Safety inspection costs have increased along with the significant rise in medical supply costs along with everything else. We also suffered from lack of training this year due to all the gathering restrictions. I will be pushing for increased training in 2021 if possible.
Larry Warrington retired after 17 years of service, 13 years as the Chief. Brent Olson joined the department on October 13, 2020 and Adam Perkins has rejoined the department after a brief time away.
Projects completed or near completion are as follows:
The Heli Pad is near completion, there are some Heliport, TLOF, and FATO markings and Fire Extinguisher enclosed in a cabinet located near the Heli Pad, that need to be completed by November 1st, 2021. A Private Aircraft License has been issued. The Heli Pad is now known as MN79. New battery powered Jaws of Life were purchased for $25,209, the new Dry Hydrant project is complete thanks to the help of Voyageurs National Park and all the volunteers. It is located at the visitor’s center. New updated Pagers were purchased for $4800, new gloves for all fire fighters were purchased for $850. Three New Intrinsically Safe Flash/Flood lights for the trucks were purchased for $697.74.
The building project has been placed on hold as we are in need of new helmets and turnout gear which will be purchased in 2021. This will be an expenditure of approximately $31,000. Turnout gear MUST be replaced every 10 years from the date of manufacture no matter the condition. The safety of my crew is my first priority. They need to be safe in order to keep this Township and surrounding community safe. The boiler for heating the larger building was found to be failing this winter, the heat exchanger and flue gas chamber have deteriorated beyond repair. The boiler will need to be replaced for approximately $3500.
At this time the Fire Departments budget shall remain the same, although I do feel the need for an increase, I do not believe it would be fair to the Township until I have completed my first year as Chief and can further review our yearly expenditures.
Bryan would like to thank the Kabetogama Township and the community for their continued support of the department on behalf of all the Fire Fighters and EMS personnel.
Respectfully, Bryan Wichner Chief LKAVFD
Kabetogama EMS 2020 Annual Report:
2020 – Wow, what a year!! 33 runs, 4 Zoom only meetings, 4 canceled trainings due to COVID, Independent training plans, PPE gathering and management, special training, 3 licenses renewed, despite COVID and we have ended the year with COVID vaccines for 10 of our personnel.
This COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge in all our lives and a CONCERN. We are all preparing with the best knowledge and education that is being supplied by our Medical Director, Dr. Reki Lawal (a practicing ED provider) and CDC and the MN Dept of Health. These recommendations and criteria for testing change regularly, therefore, it is important to read what these organizations are writing – not what everyone on Facebook or Google are saying.
We have been blessed with Voyageurs National Park Support. We have availability of the newest ice rescue equipment and rescue sled and training to boot.
We have updated our CPR, along with the Voyageurs National Park rangers, re-started a training protocol with social distancing using the Town Hall and Zoom and we have all caught up on training. We have purchased a large backpack fogger with the township to continue to ensure the safety of all that use the Town Hall and the fire department by having the ability to fog the areas with disinfectant after use. North Stare electric Round-up monies also contributed to this effort.
We want to thank everyone who came out for the Hunter’s Supper. We safely served approximately 100 people – many were take-outs or “drive through”. Special thanks to our volunteers who made it work.
Overall, it has been a great year!! We have made it through with flexibility and been immensely proud of our team. You should be also – Please thank our team when you see them. They are Rock Stars”!
Respectfully Submitted, Ellen Hart Kab EMS Coordinator
New Business:
The 2022 proposed levy was reviewed by all. No changes were made, Mary Manninen moved to approve the 2022 levy in the amount of $92,700.00, seconded by Betsey Warrington, all voting aye motion carried.
Cleaning up near the Walleye needs to be done. Forestry has ok’d the work.
Concerns regarding the Kabetogama canister site were brought up. The recycle bins are usually overflowing and are not changed out soon enough. The residents should call St. Louis County to complain about these conditions.
Arrowhead Lodge asked if plowing could be done right up to their lodge in case of a fire? The township has the road plowed up to the treatment site as they have leased this land. We cannot plow any further up that road as that is state land. Arrowhead would have to speak with the state regarding this matter.
John Stegmeir gave hand outs to the attendees regarding the Cook Hospital.
Mary Manninen moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 pm, seconded by Bryan Wichner, all voting aye, motion carried.
ANNUAL MEETING
MARCH 9, 2021
DRAFT
The annual meeting of the Town of Kabetogama was called to order by Clerk Manninen at 8:15 pm on March 9, 2021. There were 12 people attending this meeting. Those attending the meeting recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Clerk Manninen called for nominations for a moderator. Marlene Tomczak moved to nominate Larry Warrington, seconded by Bryan Wichner. Clerk Manninen asked if there were any other nominations, (twice). A voice vote was taken for Larry Warrington as moderator. All voted aye, no nays, Larry was voted as moderator.
Agenda: The agenda was reviewed by all. Mary Manninen moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Tim Watson, all voting aye, motion carried.
The Clerk was asked to read the Board of Audit minutes from the February 2, 2021 meeting. Betsey Warrington moved to accept the Board of Audit minutes, seconded by Mary Manninen, all voting aye motion carried.
Old Business:
The minutes from the 2020 annual meeting were reviewed by all. Marlene Tomczak moved to accept the minutes with one correction to the levy amount from 94,700 to 92,700 seconded by Tim Watson, all voting aye motion carried.
The moderator read the dates for the next Annual Township Meeting. The annual meeting will be held on March 8, 2022 at the Kabetogama Town Hall at 8:15 pm. Alternate bad weather date is March 15, 2022 same location and time.
The next Annual Township Election will be held on March 8, 2022 at the Kabetogama Town Hall from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. Alternate bad weather date is March 15, 2022 same location and time. Mary Manninen moved to accept these dates, times and locations, seconded by Char Watson, all voting aye, motion carried.
Election Results – Moderator Warrington asked for the results of the Annual Township election held March 9, 2021. For the position of Supervisor 3-year term, John Stegmeir received 13 votes and there were no write-ins. For the position of Treasurer 2-year term, Deana Callais received 12 votes with no write-ins. Marlene Tomczak moved to accept the 2021 election results, seconded by John Stegmeir, all voting aye, motion carried.
Lake Kabetogama Volunteer Fire Department Annual Report 2020
Fire Chief Bryan Wicher gave the following report - The fire department is doing well. One of the biggest concerns is the membership recruitment. There are currently 10 active members and must remain there in order to be eligible for the state fire aid money.
The COVID 19 pandemic has changed the way we operate. Increased usage of PPE and cleaning supplies were expenditures we did not expect. Maintenance and Safety inspection costs have increased along with the significant rise in medical supply costs along with everything else. We also suffered from lack of training this year due to all the gathering restrictions. I will be pushing for increased training in 2021 if possible.
Larry Warrington retired after 17 years of service, 13 years as the Chief. Brent Olson joined the department on October 13, 2020 and Adam Perkins has rejoined the department after a brief time away.
Projects completed or near completion are as follows:
The Heli Pad is near completion, there are some Heliport, TLOF, and FATO markings and Fire Extinguisher enclosed in a cabinet located near the Heli Pad, that need to be completed by November 1st, 2021. A Private Aircraft License has been issued. The Heli Pad is now known as MN79. New battery powered Jaws of Life were purchased for $25,209, the new Dry Hydrant project is complete thanks to the help of Voyageurs National Park and all the volunteers. It is located at the visitor’s center. New updated Pagers were purchased for $4800, new gloves for all fire fighters were purchased for $850. Three New Intrinsically Safe Flash/Flood lights for the trucks were purchased for $697.74.
The building project has been placed on hold as we are in need of new helmets and turnout gear which will be purchased in 2021. This will be an expenditure of approximately $31,000. Turnout gear MUST be replaced every 10 years from the date of manufacture no matter the condition. The safety of my crew is my first priority. They need to be safe in order to keep this Township and surrounding community safe. The boiler for heating the larger building was found to be failing this winter, the heat exchanger and flue gas chamber have deteriorated beyond repair. The boiler will need to be replaced for approximately $3500.
At this time the Fire Departments budget shall remain the same, although I do feel the need for an increase, I do not believe it would be fair to the Township until I have completed my first year as Chief and can further review our yearly expenditures.
Bryan would like to thank the Kabetogama Township and the community for their continued support of the department on behalf of all the Fire Fighters and EMS personnel.
Respectfully, Bryan Wichner Chief LKAVFD
Kabetogama EMS 2020 Annual Report:
2020 – Wow, what a year!! 33 runs, 4 Zoom only meetings, 4 canceled trainings due to COVID, Independent training plans, PPE gathering and management, special training, 3 licenses renewed, despite COVID and we have ended the year with COVID vaccines for 10 of our personnel.
This COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge in all our lives and a CONCERN. We are all preparing with the best knowledge and education that is being supplied by our Medical Director, Dr. Reki Lawal (a practicing ED provider) and CDC and the MN Dept of Health. These recommendations and criteria for testing change regularly, therefore, it is important to read what these organizations are writing – not what everyone on Facebook or Google are saying.
We have been blessed with Voyageurs National Park Support. We have availability of the newest ice rescue equipment and rescue sled and training to boot.
We have updated our CPR, along with the Voyageurs National Park rangers, re-started a training protocol with social distancing using the Town Hall and Zoom and we have all caught up on training. We have purchased a large backpack fogger with the township to continue to ensure the safety of all that use the Town Hall and the fire department by having the ability to fog the areas with disinfectant after use. North Stare electric Round-up monies also contributed to this effort.
We want to thank everyone who came out for the Hunter’s Supper. We safely served approximately 100 people – many were take-outs or “drive through”. Special thanks to our volunteers who made it work.
Overall, it has been a great year!! We have made it through with flexibility and been immensely proud of our team. You should be also – Please thank our team when you see them. They are Rock Stars”!
Respectfully Submitted, Ellen Hart Kab EMS Coordinator
New Business:
The 2022 proposed levy was reviewed by all. No changes were made, Mary Manninen moved to approve the 2022 levy in the amount of $92,700.00, seconded by Betsey Warrington, all voting aye motion carried.
Cleaning up near the Walleye needs to be done. Forestry has ok’d the work.
Concerns regarding the Kabetogama canister site were brought up. The recycle bins are usually overflowing and are not changed out soon enough. The residents should call St. Louis County to complain about these conditions.
Arrowhead Lodge asked if plowing could be done right up to their lodge in case of a fire? The township has the road plowed up to the treatment site as they have leased this land. We cannot plow any further up that road as that is state land. Arrowhead would have to speak with the state regarding this matter.
John Stegmeir gave hand outs to the attendees regarding the Cook Hospital.
Mary Manninen moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 pm, seconded by Bryan Wichner, all voting aye, motion carried.
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