April 2023
REGULAR MONTHLY BOARD MEETING
OF THE SUPERVISORS OF THE TOWN OF MORSE HELD ON
April 11, 2023
At 5:00 p.m. on April 11, 2023 at the Morse Town Hall, Chairman Terry Soderberg called a regular meeting of the Supervisors of the Town of Morse to order with the following present: Supervisor Bob Berrini, Supervisor Terry Soderberg, Supervisor Len Cersine, Clerk Nick Wognum, Treasurer Mary Ann Lekatz and Butch Pecha.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Clerk Wognum called for nominations for the chairman position.
A motion was made by Soderberg, seconded by Berrini to nominate Len Cersine as chair with Soderberg and Berrini as vice-chairs. Motion carried unanimously.
The board reviewed the wages for 2023 and discussed linking wages to inflation from last October. The wages for the board members, clerk and trew
A motion was made by Soderberg, seconded by Berrini to increase monthly and hourly wages by three percent plus inflation for supervisors, clerk, treasurer, deputy treasurer and changing road employee wages by four percent $25 per hour with $60 for mechanic work; mowing at $45, shoveling and plowing at $20 and election judges at $17 per hour. All other wages remain the same; the official newspaper is the Ely Echo; official depositories remain Wells Fargo, Boundary Waters Bank, Frandsen Bank and Ely Area Credit Union; regular monthly meetings remain the second Tuesday at 5 p.m.; the official posting place is the bulletin board located outside the front door of the town hall. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Soderberg, seconded by Berrini to keep the same committee appointments were reviewed with Cersine also as an alternate for RAMS. Motion carried.
The annual road inspection will be held on May 1 at 7 a.m.
The minutes of the March 7, 2023 meeting were reviewed.
A motion was made by Soderberg, seconded by Berrini to approve the minutes of the March 7, 2023 meeting. Motion carried.
Lekatz presented claims 16365 to 16387 for $13,415.84. Two additional claims for $41,009.50 for SCBAs to Morse-Fall Lake and $241.66 for mileage for Cersine. The board discussed having the monies paid back to the equipment fund from the fire department.
A motion was made by Soderberg, seconded by Berrini to approve the claims as presented. Motion carried.
Lekatz presented receipts 761 to 765 for $1,073.71 including $1,014.40 from taxes.
Lekatz asked about buying a $12,000 CD at Boundary Waters Bank at four percent.
A motion was made by Soderberg, seconded by Berrini to approve a $12,000 CD at Boundary Waters Bank. Motion carried.
Wognum provided updates on old business. The Taconite Trail was discussed, another meeting will be held with the DNR to discuss options.
Berrini said a 32x60 building would house two ambulances. Soderberg said he would like to have the $150,000 returned out of the $650,000 federal grant. Berrini said he would want a guarantee that the IRRRB would match the remaining $200,000.
A motion was made by Soderberg, seconded by Berrini to approve the resolution for the island on Shagawa Lake. Motion carried.
The board discussed the homestead credit issue and the upcoming Local Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting.
Bob said the ambulance board will meet with Patti Banks at the hospital after April 20.
The board discussed the Prospector Environmental Assessment Worksheet and decided not to submit comments on the proposed trail extensions.
The board reviewed the letter from Gerald Tyler as well. The resignation of Jim Fisher as MAT District 10 representative was also discussed.
The board reviewed the remaining correspondence and took no action.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:12 p.m.
_____________________________ _____________________________
Len Cersine, Chair Nick Wognum, Clerk
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