County board delays vote on mask use

Lengthy discussion, followed by two attempts to vote for a Carlton County mask policy, ended with no clear choice for a majority of the Carlton County Board of Commissioners at their regular meeting Tuesday, July 14.

“I believe the board should set an example supporting the wearing of masks in public,” explained commissioner Dick Brenner. “The safety of our employees is our responsibility and all visitors to a county facility should wear a mask if social distancing is not possible.”

To this point, each department head has set mask and social distancing guidelines for the work they do. State judicial courts have ordered that masks must be worn as the courts slowly start to reopen. One entrance to the Carlton County Courthouse will continue with a deputy posted during business hours to ensure safety during court hearings and regular courthouse activities. Other visitors to the courthouse will continue to need an appointment or be cleared via phone by the office staff they wish to see.

Commissioner Tom Proulx repeatedly said that no decision should be made until Gov. Tim Walz decides on a statewide plan, something Walz has been alluding to in recent interviews. Proulx said social distancing is difficult in crowded offices in the courthouse and when using the available restrooms. Having only one entrance into the building has its own social distancing problems and a good chance of spread.

Comments ranged from a possible overreach of government, to waiting until more details could be worked out, to chairman Marv Bodie’s exclamation of “I guess we will just wait and see.”

It was not clear if the management team will hash out a proposed policy and present it for board approval or not.

Carlton County has received about $4.5 million from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) act, to reimburse costs attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. A CARES Act committee has been formed by the County Board, consisting of the county attorney, auditor/treasurer, economic development director, county coordinator and two commissioners (Gary Peterson and Mark Thell volunteered).

Dan Reed, Automba Township chair (and Pine Knot News reporter), was appointed to help represent the rural areas, such as the cities of Kettle River and Wright, and the townships of Automba and Split Rock whose money for COVID-19-incurred costs was included in the funds sent to the county. Work on possible proposals must be given final county board approval and the allocations completed by December 2020