Ambulance Director Deb Ristau proposed increases for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) volunteers at the city council’s June 15 meeting. Ristau acknowledged stipends offered by the Preston department have been low compared to the surrounding area. She explained the increases in 2026 will be funded through a Minnesota Uncompensated Care Pool Grant which was applied for and … [Read more...]
Property Tax Exemptions Approved for Church Rectories
Fr. Nicholas Gawarecki, pastor at St. Mary’s of Chatfield, St. Columban of Preston, and the Assumption Catholic Church in Canton, addressed the Fillmore County commissioners at their June 16 meeting. Commissioner Larry Hindt was absent. County Administrator Bobbie Hillery explained she has been communicating with Pasrtor Gawarecki about the county’s assessment policy; she said … [Read more...]
Chatfield Council Discusses State Flag Versions
At the June 8 meeting of the Chatfield City Council there was a long discussion over the council’s April 27 decision to display the Minnesota State Flag as modified in 1983 on city property. Todd French initiated the discussion. He noted he has been an area resident for 72 years. He and his wife proposed the city fly both versions of the state flag. They offered to pay for the … [Read more...]
Preston Forms Pool Committee
A committee has been formed to determine next steps for the community’s 70-year-old swimming pool. At the June 1 meeting of the city council, members ratified the Park Board’s approval of committee members. Mayor Kurt Reicks was absent. Burbach Aquatics assessed the pool and has estimated that rehabilitation of the pool could cost $3.6 million and construction of a new pool … [Read more...]
Cannabis Business Ordinance Public Hearing Set
At the June 2 meeting of the Fillmore County Board, approval was given to hold a public hearing on June 23 at 10 a.m. regarding proposed amendments to the Cannabis Business Ordinance. Commissioner Larry Hindt was absent. Proposed amendments to the ordinance were reviewed; they include a simplified name of the ordinance and a change in the proximity to other facilities … [Read more...]
Chatfield Approves Repairs to the Thurber Building
At the May 26 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, a quote for Thurber Building repairs was approved. Councilors Dave Frank and Paul Novotny were absent. A proposal/quote had been submitted in the amount of $64,435 by Benike Construction to repair and mitigate the water damage to the Fillmore Room and the mayor’s office. Tuckpointing repairs are needed along with the … [Read more...]
Committee To Consider Updates to Filmore County Hemp/Cannabinoid Ordinance
At the May 26 meeting of the Fillmore County Board, ordinance buffers/setbacks detailed in Section 6 Subdivision (8) of the county’s ordinance were discussed. This section details eligibility requirements for Cannabis businesses. The board discussed denying the Cannabis Microbusiness retail endorsement for 5th Sun Gardens LLC at 111 Coffee St. East in Lanesboro due to its … [Read more...]
Preston Installs Interim Administrator Michelle Marotzke
At the May 18 meeting of the city council a six-month contract was approved for Interim Administrator Michelle Marotzke. Councilman Dean Aug was absent. Marotzke has recently been serving as the Preston/Lanesboro EDA director. She has a Master’s in Business Administration and has EDA municipal utility experience. Deputy Clerk Sheila Marzolf and the office manager, Marilyn … [Read more...]
Chatfield Shady Oak Redevelopment Proposal Tabled Indefinitely
A development proposal for two single family residential lots along Hawley St. (Shady Oak Park) failed to get enough support at the May 11 meeting of the Chatfield City Council. The proposal had been recommended by the Planning Commission. Councilor Josh Broadwater who favored the proposal was against the suggested request for proposals language which made the developer … [Read more...]
Fillmore County EDA Grant Application
At the May 12 meeting of the county board, Economic Development Authority Director Allison Whalen asked the board for approval to submit a full grant application through its Small Communities Grant Program to the Blandin Foundation. The grant request is for $100,000 to be used to perform a countywide comprehensive planning process, a county level housing study, and a community … [Read more...]