Board takes to road, meets Dean Lake residents

ROSS LAKE TOWNSHIP - This Tuesday was different.

Crow Wing County commissioners, who met as the town board for Unorganized Territory - Dean Lake, spent time behind the wheel to reach the one-room Ross Lake Town Hall to meet residents in their rural setting.

The drive took about an hour from Brainerd. It was a bit of an experiment to see if the meeting would draw any residents. But they did come on a pleasant 70-degree night. About a dozen people attended along with county staff members and Commissioners Phil Trusty, Doug Houge and Paul Thiede.

With trees growing in front of the door of the Dean Lake Town Hall, the group met in neighboring Ross Lake. Issues included roads, coming public safety radio changes, the fire contract with Aitkin that expires in 2015 and a life-saving device - which was the driving factor in calling the meeting.

Ross Lake Township first responders requested funding for an automated external defibrillator. Ross Lake first responders take care of Dean Lake.

Jim Maher, president of the Ross Lake first responders, said all the work is by 10 volunteers. There are seven response units and the group is short one AED. The AED costs about $2,000 and is expected to last six to 10 years with battery placement needed along the way. Maher said they don't mind the work, they just need the equipment to do their job.

The second assessment district, as Dean Lake is called, has a negative balance now because of past road projects, owing about $20,000 to the county's highway department. After its revenues from 2009, Dean Lake was about $10,000 in the hole.

The board members were supportive of the first responders but were seeking input from the people gathered. Several residents were in favor of funding both roads and the defibrillator and others thought the defibrillator could wait, but they didn't want to see a reduction in road maintenance.

"If we raise the levy will that increase the speed at which our road is plowed?" Lynn Aune, Dean Lake resident asked, getting chuckles from the gathering.

"If we are already in the hole there is no reason to go in deeper," said Wendy Burgstaler, Dean Lake resident and Ross Lake first responder, adding maybe there is a donation out there that will help.

Auditor Deborah Erickson said for every $5,000 added to the levy, taxes for a $50,000 home would be raised four to five dollars -the town taxes on a $50,000 home are about $14 now - and on a $100,000 home added taxes would be seven to eight dollars. Raising the levy by $8,500 would help pay off county road and bridge fund debt and start to accumulate a reserve for Dean Lake.

Raising taxes sounds good but a dollar here and a dollar there and pretty soon there aren't any more dollars, said Dean Lake resident Edwin Burgstaler said.

Trusty said one of the benefits of raising the dollars in Dean Lake is being able to see the dollars spent right in the area.

The first responders had general support from the group.

"I think they are fantastic," Helen Burgstaler said of first responders, noting their ability to respond and provide oxygen likely saved her husband's life previously.

Edwin Burgstaler said he was still waiting for an upgrade to County Road 105.

"I've been waiting 86 years already," Burgstaler said, getting chuckles from the group. "How many more years do you think I'm going to live?"

Helen Burgstaler who has lived in Dean Lake for 60 years said the former township has struggled financially forever. Dean Lake is half a township with the other half in Aitkin County.

"We were fighting all the time that's why we dissolved," she said of the former Dean Lake township, noting they never had so much peace until the county was taking care of the area.

As for the commissioners coming out to the township?

"I think it's a good thing you come out and talk to the people," Edwin Burgstaler said.

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