Request for defibrillator may lead to town board meeting

A request for an automated external defibrillator for Ross Lake First Responders may lead to a town board meeting in Dean Lake.

Crow Wing County Commissioners Tuesday received a request for an AED unit, which is expected to cost less than $2,000, to be placed for use by first responders in the Dean Lake area.

The former Dean Lake Township is now the Second Assessment District. Commissioners serve as the town board for the district. Tim Houle, county administrator, said he wouldn't recommend using county funds but said if the board did consider it they do so as the town board.

Board Chairman Phil Trusty said the commissioners act as the town board but don't have a town meeting to get feedback from residents. He suggested an informational meeting, perhaps at 6 p.m. in Dean Lake Town Hall.

Items that could be discussed includes the fire contract for the area, which is now through a contract with Aitkin.

The county also serves as the town board for Unorganized Territory, which is just north of Brainerd and Baxter. Houle said if the area was a city, it would be the third largest in the county. The county may have an annual meeting with those residents but isn't required to have one.

Commissioner Rosemary Franzen questioned if the county should also have an informational meeting for Unorganized Territory, the county's First Assessment District.

Commissioners expect to see what kind of participation the proposed Dean Lake meeting attracts first.

RENEE RICHARDSON may be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.