County Engineer Ron Gregg presented four bids for the concrete overlay project on CSAH 1 south of Ostrander and north of Ostrander to CR 39 at the board’s May 28 meeting. He added that approval has been received from the MnDOT Office of Civil Rights. The board approved the lowest bid from Croell, Inc. in the amount of $3,516,637.47. This bid was just slightly lower than the … [Read more...]
Compromise managed with a divided government
Minnesota’s regular legislative session had started on January 8; it ended May 20 with the announcement of a two year state budget agreement between Governor Tim Walz (DFL), Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman (DFL), and Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (R). Conference committees then worked on the details. A special session was called starting Friday morning and ending … [Read more...]
Burnetts receive preservation award
At the May 28 Chatfield City Council meeting, Chris Giesen, chairman of the Heritage Preservation Commission, presented this year’s preservation award to Rocky and Melissa Burnett. May is preservation month. The commercial building at 208 Main was restored and preserved. The Burnetts recognized the building had good bones and brought new life to an old existing building. It is … [Read more...]
Preston’s 2019 street projects
Brett Grabau, Stantec engineer, presented cost estimates for four possible 2019 street project areas at the May 20 city council meeting. The estimates were requested by the council last February. Project areas include portions of Cottage Grove Ave., Park Lane, Chatfield Ave., and Washington St. The total estimate for the suggested improvements is about $467,000. This … [Read more...]
Technology upgrade and law enforcement vehicles
Approval was given for a technology upgrade for the Highway Department and two new vehicles for the sheriff’s department at the county board’s May 14 meeting. Highway Engineer Ron Gregg explained the VRS Technology upgrade will be used to gather survey data. It helps them access MnDOT’s stations and will be more accurate and faster. The upgrade was approved at a cost of … [Read more...]
Chatfield Center for the Arts annual report
At the May 13 Chatfield City Council meeting, Carla Gallina, board of directors president, reported on the 2018 financials and participation at the Chatfield Center for the Arts. Councilor Paul Novotny was absent. Gallina began saying the 2019 budget is 128% higher than in 2018, a positive step. Revenues in 2018 were $271,119 and expenses were $275,484. Intense utility … [Read more...]
County continues with Enterprise Fleet Management
The management program for law enforcement vehicles was evaluated after being in place for about a year at the county board’s May 7 meeting. Wong Nystrom, Enterprise Fleet Management, was asked by Sheriff John DeGeorge to put together a four/five year budget plan for the board’s consideration. The budget plan shows the amount needed per year to support law enforcement … [Read more...]
Railroad history sign for trailhead
Sheila Craig, Preston Historical Society, described plans for the placement of a railroad history interpretive sign at the trailhead during the May 6 council meeting. The intention is to locate the 4’x6’ sign north of the caboose. Plans call for an overhanging roof with lights. It is estimated to cost $5,500 for the sign, installation and lighting. The Preston Area Community … [Read more...]
Great gulf between House and Senate budget bills
Minnesota is the only state in the nation that has a politically divided legislature, a DFL controlled House and a Republican controlled Senate. The gulf between the budget bills passed in each of the legislative bodies will require negotiation and compromise. Both legislative bodies have been working to have budget bills passed by May 1. The DFL has included two gun … [Read more...]
Court finds for Government in Amish septic case
Minnesota District Court Judge Joseph Chase, in a ruling dated April 22, decided in favor of Fillmore County and the State of Minnesota in the Amish septic system case. This case came before Judge Chase for trial in November and December 2018. Four Amish men (members of the Swartzentruber Amish community of Fillmore County) were the plaintiffs arguing that they objected to … [Read more...]