Township takes action to address missing road signs

The Thomson Township board of supervisors is exploring the idea of making the township’s own road sign repair, after multiple complaints from residents about missing signs.

Supervisor Bill Gerard reported at the township meeting Thursday, April 17, that he had received complaints from residents about missing signs on Kangas and Helberg roads.

“The county has over 2,000 of their own signs and two employees, so it’s harder and harder to get them to come out,” road and utility management supervisor Logan Saline told the board.

In order to get the signs replaced in a more efficient manner, the board decided to discuss purchasing the tools to enable township employees to handle sign replacement and repair. This would mainly include the purchase of an air compressor, which could be used for other projects as well.

Thomson Township would be the only township in the county to handle its own signage.

The board decided to discuss this at a later meeting, due to the frost still remaining in the ground making it impossible to replace any signs until a later date.

Supervisors also discussed two local families who have taken an interest in the community garden and have begun preparing the garden for this growing season.

These families are leading a small group of community members in reviving the community garden this year and are hoping to generate more interest among residents. Prospective gardeners are encouraged to contact the Thomson Township office if they are interested in becoming involved with the project.

Also Thursday, Joe Jurewicz, a representative for the township’s engineering firm, Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services (AE2S), proposed a sewer rehabilitation project to the board after inspections in 2018 and 2020 revealing some necessary repairs. Jurewicz was not fully prepared to discuss the details of the project at this month’s meeting, but wanted the board to be able to see the potential outlines of the project. Board supervisor Tony Compo encouraged the rest of the board to not wait for the next meeting to vote to get this project started, since it is a few years in the making and repairs are necessary. The board voted to move forward with the project and put out for a bid sooner rather than later. Jurewicz estimated that the project could begin as soon as this fall.

In other matters:

• Thomson Township treasurer/clerk Rhonda Peleski reported that the food truck festival, which was scheduled to take place every Wednesday, has been canceled. All of the food trucks that had expressed interest in the event have pulled out, due to big crowds at the breweries in Duluth. Food trucks are still expected to be a part of Esko Fun Days, Aug. 4-7.

• The board appointed a new citizen member to the Comprehensive Plan committee, after the passing of Robert Stokes. John Bergman, the alternate to the position, was confirmed to replace Stokes.

• Due to Covid-19 exposure, the township’s offices will continue to have limited staff for the near future and are closed to the public. The remaining staff is still working to respond to calls and emails as they are able.

• The Thomson Township Board of Supervisors next meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. May 4. Due to limited staff, the meeting on April 15 couldn’t be joined virtually, but the May meetings should be back to normal.