At the Fillmore County Board’s March 2 meeting, a list of county businesses was approved to receive a portion of the grant money which was received from the State of Minnesota. The grants are to provide financial relief for businesses impacted by the COVID pandemic. Applications for this second round of business grants were received from January 6 through February … [Read more...]
Trout Days and Pop-Up Markets
At the March 1 Preston City Council meeting, events scheduled for later this spring and summer were on the agenda. Ilene Edwards received approval to hold Pop-Up Markets on May 15, June 12, July 10, August 14, and September 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on each date. She noted the September 2020 market was the largest yet with 24 vendors and an abundance of shoppers. People were … [Read more...]
Three CUP applications recommended for approval
The Fillmore County Planning Commission held public hearings on three conditional use permit applications during their February 18 meeting. •Timothy Lawstuen applied for a CUP for a private campground in section 4, Fountain Township. The application is for seven camp sites. Currently, there are six campers being used just by family members. One of the six campers is used by … [Read more...]
Chatfield discusses benefits of strategic planning
At the February 22 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, the potential benefits of working with a consultant to better identify longer-term goals, along with a work plan, was discussed at length. A proposal from HueLife was under consideration at a cost of $6,500 for consultant services. City Clerk Joel Young said they could hire a facilitator to help them identify a clear … [Read more...]
Fillmore County technology initiatives
Fillmore County has been working toward a number of technology upgrades/initiatives for some time. At the board’s February 23 meeting, several initiatives were approved. County Administrator Bobbie Hillery detailed all of the planned initiatives which will be purchased, installed, licensed, and maintained through Marco. All technological upgrades were discussed in the … [Read more...]
Key to the city of Preston presented to Cathy Enerson
In recognition of Cathy Enerson’s 13 years of service and dedication to improving the lives of Preston’s citizens, she was presented with a “key to the city” plaque at the city council’s February 16 meeting. The meeting was totally virtual. But, it was suggested that once things get back to normal she will be honored with a gathering to properly recognize her achievements and … [Read more...]
Fillmore Public Health Department receives safety award
At the February 9 meeting of the Fillmore County Board, employees were recognized and thanked for their service to the county. Due to COVID the annual recognition event was mostly virtual. Wendy Ebner, Social Services, has served the county for 35 years and Susan Mandelko, Social Services, was recognized for her 30 years of service. Leif Erickson, Sheriff’s Office, has served … [Read more...]
Kudos to Chatfield Alliance
The Chatfield City Council met in-person/virtually on February 8. Councilor Josh Broadwater thanked the Chatfield Alliance, a community collaborative working to promote Chatfield, for their efforts to organize ChillFest. Mother nature definitely put the chill in ChillFest. Councilor Paul Novotny noted 35-40 people were tough and endured the freezing cold temperatures while … [Read more...]
Fillmore County’s legislative priorities
At the February 2 Fillmore County Board meeting, Senator Jeremy Miller and Representative Greg Davids listened to the legislative priorities of various county department heads. The legislators attended via Webex. County Administrator Bobbie Hillery said a lot of the priorities this year are the same as last year or prior years. “We know it will be a tough year ahead. We … [Read more...]
Preston to advertise for bids for 2021 street and utility project
Brett Grabau detailed potential cost issues with the planned street and utility project at the Preston City Council’s February 1 meeting. Grabau explained that with the redesigned roadways, drainage is not what it should be. Drainage doesn’t necessarily need to be underground. Grabau suggested the use of six foot wide valley gutters, shallow concrete troughs, across seven … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Board issues solar CUP
Fillmore County Solar Project, LLC is one step closer to constructing a 45 MW Solar Farm in section 14 of Beaver Township. Commissioners unanimously approved the conditional use permit with nine conditions at their January 26 meeting. The road to this point has been long and there are still more steps for the project before construction can begin. That is why one condition … [Read more...]
Chatfield Chillfest February 5-6
Sara Sturgis detailed the planned events for the 2021 winter community celebration in Chatfield at the city council’s January 25 meeting. Councilor Mike Urban was absent. Events include a drive-in movie on the Enterprise Drive lot on Friday night at 6-9 p.m. Events on Saturday begin at 8 a.m. and run through the day into the evening. Later in the day is the Candlelight Trail … [Read more...]
Camp Creek restoration work
At the January 19 meeting of the Preston City Council, approval was given for Barth Construction to use the city’s tree/brush disposal site for trees removed during restoration work on a portion of Camp Creek. Trout Unlimited is coordinating the work located just south of Fillmore St./CSAH 11 bridge. Dennis Barth asked if the city would allow the green trees to be placed at … [Read more...]
Fillmore County continues jail need assessment
Sheriff John DeGeorge updated the Fillmore County Board at their January 12 meeting on the progress of the Jail Need Assessment Committee. The full committee has identified four scenarios for the future of the aging jail and each of these options are being explored. The options include total outsourcing and the closing of the facility entirely, the construction or remodeling … [Read more...]
Chatfield council urges you to pay stimulus money forward if you can
Chatfield Mayor Russ Smith, during his annual address at the city council’s January 11 meeting, encouraged people to spend their stimulus money at small, local businesses; thereby, putting it back into the local economy to help these struggling businesses. He said the city is looking good going forward. The biggest issue is the state of small businesses in town that have been … [Read more...]