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There was a sad and quiet moment to start the February meeting of the Town of Morse board of supervisors.
A moment of silence was held for longtime supervisor Len Cersine who passed away recently.
“He was a good man. He knew a lot, but the last year and a half were rough for him,” said board chair Bob Berrini.
Cersine was first elected to the board in 1998. He also served as the township’s road supervisor.
“He was a good man and he will be missed,” said board member Terry Soderberg.
Clerk Nick Wognum prepared a certificate of appreciation to be given to Cersine’s family for his 27 years of service.
With Cersine gone, Berrini was the only supervisor present Tuesday as Soderberg participated via Zoom.
The board will wait until the March 11 election to fill Cersine’s seat.
On the ballot that day will be Cersine and Mike Velcheff.
Fall Lake Township has an uncontested election as incumbent Craig Seliskar was the only one to file.
In other business the board:
• Will hold the Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting on May 13 at 9 a.m. with St. Louis County.
• Discussed their frustration with the handling of an $890,925 Community Wildfire Defense Grant and the lack of work that will be done in Morse. St. Louis County officials have said roughly five acres will be treated in Morse. Both Soderberg and Berrini said they will try to attend an upcoming meeting on this issue on March 10 at 1 p.m.
• Approved judges for the township election of Arlene Today, Kathy Hutar, Nick Wognum and Mary Ann Lekatz.
• Will have township attorney Joel Lewicki review the amended lease agreement with K2 Towers.
• Scheduled the next meeting on March 10 at 5 p.m.
• Heard from Soderberg there is a new director, Abby Dare, from the Ely Tourism Bureau. She replaced Cindy Smyka.
• Reviewed a proposed variance for a property owned Jesse Lee Karich. The board had no opposition to the proposal.
• Decided not to participate in the county’s crack sealing program for 2025 due to the price doubling.
• Soderberg explained that the Lodging Tax Joint Powers Board has put together letters to be sent to non-compliant short-term rental property owners. He said he contacted Commissioner Paul McDonald who will send them to the county attorney to be reviewed.
• Northern Lights Surveying Services has contacted the township on a proposed plat on the end of Somero Road. Soderberg has contacted St. Louis County Planning on this but hasn’t heard back.
