At the August 2 meeting, the Rushford Village council learned of a one-day road closure on County Line Road. The purpose of the approximately 60-foot closure section is for engineers from Bolton & Menk to conduct soil borings. The road has been the topic of many recent discussions as deep erosion from the watershed has left the section with a steep embankment and deep channel.
At last month’s second meeting, the council approved a proposal from the engineering firm for preparatory work to address the issues. What long-term solution will emerge is still unknown. It may see the installation of gabion baskets or a soldier pile wall to hold the south roadway edge.
The road closure is tentatively scheduled for August 8 but may change without notice. Residents above the area of concern will need to use an alternate route to town via Highway 43. The council directed City Clerk Mary Miner to contact the City of Rushford to make fire and ambulance services aware of the closure. Miner will notify the post office and Fillmore County Sheriff’s Department also.
The work is part of ongoing planning for the 2023 budget, which was also on the agenda. Miner is currently consolidating information for ease of reading and putting it on a spreadsheet for the council. Projects scheduled for next year are unknown and are to be determined. There’s a list of potential projects: the work on County Line Drive, chip sealing other city roads, getting water to a shed for a wash area for Public Works equipment, new water meters, and a new furnace and air unit at the Village Hall. The council will need to work to determine what fits into the proposed budget and what, if anything, will need to wait.
“This is the time to do the wishlist,” said Mayor Dennis Overland. “Put everything in it. Don’t underdo it. Put everything in there we might want to do,” he added, referencing the upcoming levy. The council needs to set the preliminary tax levy in September. While they can lower the amount for the final levy, they cannot raise it higher than the preliminary amount, even if projects come up. The council will approve the final levy in December.
“There are things that weren’t in last year’s budget or this year’s. That’s why we have to look at it,” cautioned City Treasurer Judy Graham.
Miner noted available funds through the American Rescue Fund for upgrading the furnace, air units, and water meters. Labor costs for installation, while currently unknown, could also be covered by the funds. Still, the funds have a cap. Without knowing the installation costs, the council may need to budget some funds for them.
“All these things are equipment and so much is not available,” added Graham. “Heating, plumbing, electrical is so much wait, wait, wait…” Councilor Mike Ebner is gathering cost estimates.
In other news, the council unanimously approved purchasing 750 gallons of propane from Consolidated Energy Company. The city has a $106.53 credit from last year. The current pre-buy price is $2.04 per gallon.
“The contract has to be used by March now,” noted Councilor Mike Ebner. “I heard the contracts were shortened up.”
The filing period is now open for expiring council seats. They remain open until August 16. Two council members and the mayoral seats are up at the end of this year.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Tuesday, August 16, at 7 p.m., at the Village Hall. The public is encouraged to attend.
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