At the August 2 Preston City Council meeting, the council formally approved the transfer of 16.6 acres for the veterans home site including the Anderson triangle to the State of Minnesota. City Administrator Joe Hoffman explained the veterans home donation escrow fund will be released to the state as requested by the state. This fund is approximately $1.4 million and … [Read more...]
Fillmore County holds first public hearing for appointed recorder
County Recorder David Kiehne was first to comment during the public hearing at the board’s July 27 meeting. Kiehne submitted a letter to the board on July 6 informing them of his intent to retire on December 31, 2022, the end of his current elected term. Legislation signed into law in 2019 allows the appointment of a county recorder with the retirement notification provided … [Read more...]
Fillmore County proposed Zoning Ordinance language changes
At the July 22 Planning Commission meeting, three proposed language changes to the Zoning Ordinance were proposed by Zoning Administrator Cristal Adkins. The first was a more detailed definition of a campground. The proposed language states: “Any area, whether privately owned, used on a daily, nightly, or longer basis for the accommodations of two or more tents or … [Read more...]
Chatfield fills open council seat
David Frank was appointed to fill the vacant Chatfield City Council seat at the council’s July 26 meeting. Mayor Russ Smith noted that only one application had been submitted to the fill the remainder of John McBroom’s term, who announced his resignation on June 28. Frank will also fill most of McBroom’s committee commitments (Park & Recreation, Public Services, and … [Read more...]
Fillmore County discusses uses for Rescue Plan funds
The county’s allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 is estimated to be about $4 million. At the July 13 board meeting County Administrator Bobbie Hillery reported that the first half of that funding has been received. The second half is expected to be received next year. The board reviewed a document prepared by the National Association of Counties (NACo) … [Read more...]
Groundbreaking event planned August 19 for veterans home
During a July 13 gathering at the Preston Servicemen’s Club, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) officials, the project planner and construction manager updated a group of veterans and local officials on project plans and the timeline for construction of the State Veterans Home. The hour on August 19 for the ground breaking event is yet to be determined. The … [Read more...]
Chatfield invites interested residents to apply for council seat
At the July 13 Chatfield City Council meeting the process to appoint an interested resident to fill the city council vacancy was discussed. The vacancy was created with the resignation of John McBroom. Three options were considered: to advertise for interested residents that would like to contribute, to recruit a former councilor or mayor, or to review active people in the … [Read more...]
Preston hires full-time EMT
Ambulance Director Ryan Throckmorton reported at the Preston City Council’s June 6 meeting that two applicants had been interviewed for the full- time EMT position. The council had approved the creation of a full-time EMT position at their June 7 meeting. Throckmorton at that time made it clear that the EMS structure currently in place is not sustainable. Staffing with … [Read more...]
Fillmore County moves forward with process to appoint county recorder
At the Fillmore County Board’s July 6 meeting, a letter from county recorder David Kiehne to the board of commissions was referenced, stating his intent to retire at the end of his current term, December 31, 2022. Kiehne suggested hiring a full- time person by the fall of 2021 to begin the process of training his replacement. He plans to include a new full-time lead account … [Read more...]
Vacant Chatfield council seat
At the June 28 city council meeting, Chatfield councilor John McBroom announced his resignation. Councilor Paul Novotny was absent. McBroom, who was serving a second term on the council, explained that a lot of things come up which we have no control over. “Just can’t do it anymore; I am missing some of the grandkids’ events, you just can’t get that back,” he said. Mayor … [Read more...]