Board nixes snowmobile trail permission

Esko school board members rescinded their approval of a snowmobile trail route that would have crossed school property during their regular meeting Monday. The decision came because the route had changed and wasn’t what the board originally approved.

Three board members attended the Thomson Township Board of Supervisors meeting Sept. 16, when Wood City Riders president Chris Rokke gave a presentation to the more than 60 people in attendance about the volunteer snowmobile club and the approved trail. Although the township board had already granted permission for a preliminary trail, residents were invited to give their input so that the board and the snowmobile club could answer questions and address concerns.

Board member Jerry Frederick said Rokke explained that Minnesota law allows snowmobiles to use the right of way along a road, and where the right of way lies in terms of distance from the centerline of a road.

He also said the route presented at the township meeting was different from the previous presentation to the school board.

“Instead of going across our property and then following the Midway River down, they want to make a little loop, and reconnect with Harney Road right before the bridge, then go down Harney until they hit Church, I think on the west side.”

“As long as they have right of way alongside the road, I’m not sure why they’re going across the property,” Frederick said, suggesting the trail could cross Canosia, go up the right of way and instead of crossing in front of the bridge — which he thought could be hazardous — go up and cross Harney and go right in front of the town hall in the right of way and accomplish the same thing. Frederick stressed that he isn’t opposed to snowmobiles. “I have two,” he said.

Board chair Jeff Salo said he was irritated that the school board hadn’t gotten any updates from the club when the proposed route changed, explaining later that the original agreement was to allow the trail to go behind the baseball fields. “The original plan and where we’re at now is not the same thing,” Salo said, adding later that he was uneasy about having the snowmobile trail on school property. “We’re just asking for trouble,” he said.

Todd Rengo motioned to rescind the board’s approval based on the changes that were made and the board passed the motion unanimously.

In other matters:

• The Esko Youth Hockey Association presented to the board, asking for permission to put advertising on the rink walls, both to honor a large donor and to use in future fundraising efforts. The group also asked for permission to add rubber flooring at a cost of $8500 in the locker rooms and bathrooms year-round instead of taping down old carpet rugs each winter.

“We’d be head over heels if we could split it 50/50 but any help would be appreciated,” said Esko Hockey Association board president Nick Gerard. He and board secretary Stephanie Kantola reported that the program for kids ages 4-9 has grown from around 40 participants to more than 90 now. The cost to register is $175 a year. “The goal is to allow everyone to play,” Gerard said. The board did not vote on either proposal.

• The board set the Truth-in-Taxation meeting for 6 p.m. Dec. 13 and set the levy increase at the maximum, which superintendent Aaron Fischer said they expect to be less than a 1-percent increase.

• The school district will hold a facilities planning meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 25, with the goal of getting community input on the next long-term facilities plan.