Thomson Township gets top score in WLSSD audit

Thomson township received their best score in years on its most recent Western Lake Superior Sanitary District audit, evidence of hard work on the part of township employees, supervisors said at the town meeting June 2.

The Thomson township board reported that the township received a zero on the annual district audit.

The township is ranked on eight factors, such as “overall responsiveness/completeness of annual report/work plan submittal” and “completed items from the 2021 work plan.” Receiving a zero on each of these sections is the best possible score for a township, and something that Thomson had not done in the past.

“We’ve been compliant for years, but never gotten a zero. Very impressive things,” township engineer Joe Jurewicz said

Last year the township received a 15 on the audit; the lowest score the township has received in the last 10 years was an 8, in 2011-2012. The complete assessment is available on the township’s website.

In other business, the township’s deputy sheriff, Randy Roberts, reported a busy month, with 133 total calls. Deputy Roberts reminded the public that with kids being out of school, residents should “keep your heads on a swivel” as they are out and about enjoying the summer weather.

The township continues to be involved with the Highway 61 project development, attending a “kickoff meeting” last week. According to Jurewicz, the purpose of the meeting was to touch base with the county and other interested parties such as the Esko school board, and attendees had the chance to tell the county about what was important for them to see in the project. Board supervisor Tony Compo assured the public that there will soon be public meetings about the project.

The board also discussed the yearly recreation fund allocations. After brief discussion, board members approved the yearly stipend of $1,500 for the soccer program, instead of $3,000 that was originally discussed. $1,500 is the amount normally given to the program every year, but $3,000 was discussed since there were no funds allocated in 2020. Since the program did not operate or have any costs in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the board decided to allocate only the normal $1,500 for 2022.

There are three board supervisor positions open, for four-year terms. Any resident interested in running for a supervisor position can file beginning Tuesday,

Aug. 2.

The Thomson township board of supervisors meets the first and third Thursdays of the month.