Chatfield’s first city council meeting of 2018 was held on January 8. Mayor Russ Smith said he was happy with the 2018 budget, which is less than originally anticipated. The city as a whole is in “good shape.”
Smith praised and thanked the city staff; they always do a good job. The Industrial Drive project will be finished this year. The mayor hopes to see development start there. The EDA suggests renaming Industrial Drive to more fit the kind of development expected. Most of the lots are zoned B3 (Light Commercial).
Smith also expects to see some development along the Highway 52 corridor. EDA director Chris Giesen is working on this.
Appointments to council committees, advisory boards and commissions were approved. The 2018 committee schedule was also approved.
Cold weather water issues
Brian Burkholder, Public Works, reported that recent water temperature tests were mostly 40 to 54 degrees. He said there were a few 38 degrees or lower. He advised residents to check water temperature at the lowest spot in the basement or where the water service comes into the building, especially in areas where there were freeze issues in 2014. Like in 2014, if water temperature is 38 degrees or lower, residents should let their water run in a stream the diameter of a pencil. They should also contact city hall if the water temperature is 38 degrees or lower. More information is on the city’s website.
Other business in brief
• The purchase of a rooftop heating unit from SE Mechanical at a cost of $10,395 was approved. This was the least costly of four proposals.
• Chatfield again received a Water Fluoridation Quality Award from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The award is for maintaining a consistent level of fluoridation in 2016, for maintenance of oral health. Burkholder recognized the efforts of water superintendent Ryan Priebe in qualifying for the award. Only 104 of a possible 603 public water systems in Minnesota received the award.
• Liquor and beer licenses were approved for seven Chatfield businesses for 2018.
• Health/Resource Fair will be held on Saturday, January 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is sponsored by Help Our Neighbors and the Olmsted Medical Center.
Chill Fest will be on January 27.
• Fillmore County’s Open Book Board of Appeal will be at the assessor’s office from April 23-26. This is the time and place for property owners to take issue with the assessed value of their property.
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