SOUDAN- Breitung Town Supervisor Matt Tuchel gave the board a heads up at their Oct. 17 meeting, that repairs of the fire department’s mini-pumper, were proving costly.
Tuchel said the department had spent about $28,000 on repairs so far, and that there were still some items that needed to be replaced. Repairs on the departments truck three have included the replacing the pump, several valves, the compressed foam system, and replacing gauges.
“We have known there were issues since 2021, and were trying to limp it along,” Tuchel said. “The truck should be in really good condition now, and it should be good for a really long time.”
Even with higher-than-expected repair bills, Tuchel said the price tag was still far less than replacing the rig, which would cost upwards of half a million dollars.
The department is also in need of new turnout gear for members because the current gear is out-of-date. The department had applied for a grant for the purchase, but was not successful, so the department will need to fund this purchase out of their budget. Tuchel also told the board that the water tender will need some repairs, but they likely won’t be as costly as the pumper.
There was no board action required on these repairs.
Plans are moving ahead for the completion of the Tower-Soudan loop trail, and board chair Tim Tomsich said the project may qualify for a state grant program that would pay for 100-percent of the construction costs. The township has sent in a pre-application, and they will hear in November if they qualify to submit a full application. If not, the project would qualify for DNR, Blandin Foundation, plus IRRR funding, but would require a greater local match, perhaps around $50,000. The project is a joint effort with the city of Tower.
The project, which will complete a paved trail loop between Tower, Soudan, and the two campgrounds, is expected to cost around $900,000 for the final one-plus mile of paved trail required.
Tomsich said if the local match is required, they are looking at funding it from campground revenues, spread over three years.

FEMA funding
The township has completed most of the repairs to roads and infrastructure from the June flood event, and has their application for FEMA reimbursement mostly completed. The township is still waiting on some information from contractors, as well as information required by the Build American, Buy American Act, which requires purchasing for federal contracts to use American-made components and steel. Engineer John Jamnick said it can be complicated to get assurances that the steel used in components was made in America, and there are exceptions for components that are not made in America. FEMA representatives were set to visit Breitung on Oct. 24 to do a final inspection of projects.
The maintenance department’s flood repair work the past months included ditching of storm sewer outlets, replacing culverts and repairing ditches on Echo Pt. Rd., adding a new culvert and clearing ditches on Junction Rd., repairing flood damaged dock sections at McKinley Park Campground, and adding rock to eroded shoulder areas on the Stuntz Bay Rd.

Police report
Breitung Police Chief Dan Reing reported 90 calls for service in September, and two arrests: an adult male arrested for DWI, giving a false name, and test refusal; and a juvenile male arrested for a probation violation with additional charges pending. Reing said the department had been very busy in September, and would be submitting a more detailed report in October.

Other business
In other business at the meeting, the board:
• Approved a resolution to alter and vacate portions of the Thompson Farm Rd., which is being rebuilt and slightly rerouted. The project is being funded through a statewide road project grant, along with some funding from the DNR and Prospectors Trail. The new road will be providing access from the off-road vehicle campground being constructed by the DNR, as well as moving the roadway away from gravel reserves owned by the township and a private contractor.
• Heard an update on infrastructure projects. The Stuntz Bay Rd. project was ready for blacktopping, and the cost of the change orders required earlier this summer will be covered through the state park road fund. The project was funded through the state park road fund, but managed by the township.
• Moved their regular November meeting to Tuesday, Nov. 19.
• Heard the St. Louis County Board may hold a regular meeting at the Breitung Town Hall in January.