Pictured is the new Baraga Township Hall on M-38. (Photo: Houghton Daily Mining Gazette)
BARAGA – The Town of Baraga held its rescheduled monthly board meeting for August on Wednesday. The meeting began with a report from Dick Haagsma of the Pelkie Fire Department, which had just finished repairing its 3,000-gallon tanker that had been out of service since the Baraga County Fair.
Firefighters knew something was wrong when they smelled sulfur in the firehouse. After an investigation, it was determined that one of the tanker’s batteries was burning and the pump switch was not working properly. Repair costs were estimated at $3,000, but the problem involved a far cheaper replacement part. Although the tanker is back in working order, Haagsma suggested the municipality look for a newer tanker.
“This is something we should think about because our newest truck is a 2009 model,” said Haagsma. “It is anything but a quick process.”
The board then approved the motion to remove the Baraga County Designated Assessor effective October 1. The county had required all municipalities to sign this agreement, and without the county-level assessor, the State Tax Commission will appoint an individual to serve in a taxing district that is not in substantial compliance with Public Act 660.
Following this request, Supervisor Amy Isaacson resigned from the Zoning Board of Appeals. Isaacson is not seeking re-election to her current position after 20 years of service and believes it is in the best interest of the council to appoint new members. She will assist in training and onboarding the new council members.
The resignation was followed by a motion to appoint LeAnn LeClaire, Ariel Gougeon, Garrick Lamb and Amy Tukkanen to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
The meeting then continued with the presentation of two proposals for updating the master plan.
The two proposals came from Patrick Coleman of North of 45 and the other from Jason McCarthy of Marquette, Northwoods Zoning and Planning.
“My suggestion is to ask the Planning Commission to hold a special meeting to review these proposals so that we can update the master plan,” said Isaacson.
The board agreed.
