Historical Society worries about finding a new home are over

The Carlton County Board of Commissioners voted Nov. 13 to sell the Shaw Library building to its longtime tenant, the Carlton County Historical Society, for exactly $1.

And that is not much more than what the county paid for the building when it took possession of the historic property from the city of Cloquet.

It was a decision months in the making, a debate that started when county officials decided they didn’t want to make the large investments required to renovate the former library and solicited proposals for the building — home to CCHS since 1987 — and actually got one from a group of local investors. The county wanted to sell, but that would leave the historical society without a home.

That led to months of discussion over funding for CCHS and a permanent home for the organization’s archives and programming.

All that ended two weeks ago, when action was taken at the County Board’s regular meeting following an early morning Building Committee meeting that same day.

The Building Committee minutes of that Nov. 13 meeting stated:

“Ed Kavanaugh, President of the Carlton County Historical Society, presented a Request for Proposal. The Historical Society’s main concern is a lack of funding for operating expenses. If the building were to be on the County tax rolls, it would bring in roughly $10,000 yearly. The Historical Society’s main goal is to be independent and sustain themselves. Their annual revenues ... total about $40,000. They would take a reduction of roughly $10,000 in their annual funding request. They would continue to need funding as they are a nonprofit.”

According to the minutes, County Coordinator and Building Committee Chair Dennis Genereau requested that financial numbers be associated with maintenance items in the RFP. Discussion was held regarding the Moose Lake Area Historical Society and their annual county funding. As long as county funding continues to be transferred to MLAHS through CCHS, the County Board would agree to future funding.

“I wanted to make sure the Moose Lake Area Historical group effort was continued to be supported by the County Board,” said District 5 County Commissioner Gary Peterson, who represents the Moose Lake area, adding that District I supported the sale of the Shaw Building after it was clear that a reduction of funding for the Carlton County Historical Society would cover lost property taxes from an architectural firm buying the building.”

The minutes of the Building Committee noted a majority of the committee approved recommending the sale of the Shaw building with the Vice Chair — also the Economic Development Director Connie Christenson — one of the group voting “nay.”

The County Board unanimously approved the sale.

Former CCHS Director Anne Dugan was pleased to hear the issue had been resolved.

“I’m excited that it’s their home now,” she said. “It’s nice to have that sense of security and it’s certainly a great location. History can be the heart, or brain, of the community.”

In other Carlton County news:

• The County Transfer Station will soon be taking credit cards for a point-of-sale transaction. Additionally, Goodwill Industries will continue to recycle used mattresses with Waste Management providing the transportation.

• The County Board set a hearing for Dec. 11 at 4 p.m. at the Transportation Building for public input before accepting a proposed Carlton County Buffer Ordinance No. 34. The ordinance in its entirety can be viewed on the Carlton County website.

• The County Board, after approval by the Planning Commission, approved the permit for James Sheets (Historic Scott House LLC), amending a Conditional Use Permit to continue to operate an outdoor event venue in Twin Lakes Township.

• After a hiatus the County Board approved a half-time Child Mental Health Worker for the Barnum Schools primarily in the upper grades. The County cost will be $39,194 with Barnum covering $23,932.

Pine Knot News editor Jana Peterson contributed to this story.