The Littlefork City Council Monday agreed to contribute $13,432 towards the purchase of new boilers for the Littlefork Medical Center. 

The request came from LMC CEO Kimberly Perkins, who told the council new boilers were needed before the cold season. According to Littlefork City Clerk Mike Fairchild, the current boilers have been at the center since the 1960s. 

“We can’t just buy parts for them,” Fairchild said of the boilers. “They’re obsolete.”

Aside from the council’s contribution, Fairchild reported that an additional $19,000 will need to be contributed towards the purchase, Fairchild said the medical center, which is owned by the city, will need to secure the additional funding on its own. 

Perkins also requested the city hire a grant writer for LMC and the city. 

The council gave its verbal support to pay half the writer’s salary, however, no official action was taken. Fairchild said if someone is hired for the position, they would seek grants for the city as well as the medical center. 

In other business, the council agreed to seek bids for improvements to the Littlefork Liquor Store. 

Fairchild reports that the council has preliminary sketches of the addition to the off sale portion of the liquor store. 

“All the engineering is done,” Fairchild told The Journal.

He added that specifics for the bid opening have not been determined and he “guessed bids would be opened during the November council meeting, at the earliest.”

Fairchild said the improvements will include more of a self-serve section of the liquor store. Construction to the addition wouldn’t happen until the spring. 

The council accepted a bid from Lakes Gas for propane for the city. Lakes Gas was the lowest of three bidders with $1.24 per gallon of propane. 

Fairchild reports that Lakes Gas is currently serving the city.

The council also received a request from the Littlefork Chamber of Commerce for $1,500 to help fund a spook house for Halloween. 

Fairchild reports that specific details have yet to be worked out, however, ideas have circulated that it would be ‘quite the extensive attraction.’

The city agreed to act as an insurance agent for the potential event. 

Check The Journal for updates.