Soderberg re-elected, Morse levy stays same

Another year, another zero increase property tax levy for the Town of Morse.

Prior to the annual meeting, Morse supervisor Terry Soderberg earned another three-year term during township elections Tuesday.

Soderberg received 20 out of 21 votes.

Treasurer Mary Ann Lekatz went through the 2023 financial reports including that township funds increased in 2023 from $329,808.13 to $383,499.18.

There was a request from township resident Lisa Pekuri to increase the amount given to the Ely Public Library.

She said 22 percent of the items checked out at the library went to Morse residents.

Pekuri said she would like to see a funding increase for the library above the currently budgeted $15,000.

Supervisor Bob Berrini said it was not a decision to be made at this meeting as the only financial decision is the levy. Berrini also said the township only receives $9,000 in state funds while the city of Ely received a $240,000 increase in local government aid.

Berrini also said there will be a $650,000 improvement project to be done at the ambulance facility including renovations and a new building.

Township resident Bill Erzar asked about road chloride in the summer and it causing muddy roads in Romberg Acres. Lekatz said the township did not use any chloride on roads in 2023.

Berrini said the township was able to get a fire prevention grant which the board hopes to use for brushing township roads. He said a public meeting on the topic will be held in April.

The seven residents present voted unanimously to keep the levy the same for 2025 at $365,730.16 broken down to $181,036.43 for the general fund and $184,693.73 for the road and bridge fund.

In other business:

• The 2025 township election polling times will again be noon to 8 p.m.

• The 2025 annual meeting will be held on March 11.

Erzar gave an update on the proposed Hwy. 169 improvements between Robinson Lake and Wolf Lake Road.

He said the road would be moved away from the lake to provide more room for the public access at Robinson Lake. The dip at Wolf Creek Pass would be raised up with turn lanes into Wolf Lake public access, Wolf Lake Road and a raised roadway at the corner nearby.

The cost went from $12 million to $13.1 million and Erzar said he requested letters of support for an application for federal funding through Congressionally Designated Spending. For the third year, the request was turned down.

Erzar said he would try one more time to get funding. The project has not changed but the costs have increased. He said there was support from Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Sen. Tina Smith but not from Rep. Pete Stauber.

Erzar made a presentation on township roads in the Romberg Acres area. He said Hematite Boulevard, Hallmark, Hiawatha and Heather streets were originally designed to be in the middle of the right of way.

However, at some locations, the road ended up on the edge of the road right of way. He asked to have the road graded so it is moved closer to the center of the road.

He said the county originally said buildings had to be 35 feet from the property line and the county changed it to 48 feet from the center of the road.

Berrini said he walked the area with Erzar and looked at the property pins and road location. Erzar said the road was raised three feet in front of Merriman’s.

He said there are other areas he has mentioned for 20 years that need to have dirt added and have not.

Erzar said he is working with St. Louis County Commissioner Paul McDonald on the Planning and Zoning issue on what the setback should be.