Interim City Administrator Michelle Marotzke reviewed steps in the process to provide a referendum on the November ballot at the city council’s July 6 meeting. The Pool Committee has been meeting regularly with consultants from Burbach Aquatics about the city’s pool. They have analyzed possible locations for a pool. The committee recommends moving the pool project to … [Read more...]

At the June 22 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, a request for proposals for the provision of comprehensive municipal legal services was approved. Councilors Josh Broadwater and Pam Bluhm were absent. City Administrator Michele Peterson explained the request for proposals for civil representation was reviewed by both the Personnel/Budget Committee and City Attorney Fred … [Read more...]

At the June 23 meeting of the Fillmore County Board, a public hearing on a proposed amendment to an ordinance regulating cannabis businesses was held. Commissioner Larry Hindt was absent. There was only one public comment made during the public hearing. Steve Duxbury, a member of the Planning Commission, urged the commissioners to leave the setbacks outlined in the ordinance … [Read more...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]