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Radio tower upgrades, airport activity and road projects highlighted in Sawyer County reports
Summary
Committee reports covered radio tower construction and cost changes, airport growth and scheduled highway paving; Meadowbrook tower power costs and a $90,000 reinforcement need for WJB tower were noted as next steps for funding discussions.
County committees reported updates on infrastructure projects including radio towers, the airport and highway maintenance schedules.
Public safety committee members summarized radio tower work: concrete pours have occurred at the Draper site with a 28-day curing window before steel and building installation; Birchwood is next for concrete. The Meadowbrook site’s estimate was updated to include battery backup for winter operations and an earlier higher figure was revised downward; the meeting recorded an approximate $39,000 cost to run power to one tower site and a separate $90,000 reinforcement estimate for the WJB tower to bring it up to code for added weight. Members said options for funding (grant, tribal partner LCO, county, or a combination) remain under discussion and that tribal counsel is reviewing lease language for tower sites.
Airport staff reported growing activity at the Sawyer County Airport, noting 30 based aircraft and a new tenant; snow removal equipment needs and related contracts and budget items were raised. The highway report outlined graveling, shoulder work and patching underway on multiple county routes, with County F and D slated for pulverizing after July 4 and repaving in August, and a County E project targeted for 2027.
Committee reports also cited forestry operations (four active timber sales and about $5 million of sold/uncut timber on file), trail rehab bids out for June 25, and several large culvert replacements with potential summer traffic impacts. Committee members indicated some tower-related costs may be drawn from contingency funds and that further funding discussions and public works ad hoc meetings are planned.
