At the June 14 meeting of the Preston City Council, preliminary plans for redevelopment of property near the intersection of North St. and Center St. was discussed at length. Councilman Robert Maust was absent. City Administrator Joe Hoffman and the EDA have worked on possible terms for a development agreement with Andy Bunge. The EDA has been planning for some time to … [Read more...]
County hires Social Services manager
At the June 13 meeting of the county board, the process of reviewing and updating county policies continued. Human resources officer Kristina Kohn reviewed changes suggested for each of the policies being discussed this day. The Compensation policy was given its second reading with final approval of the changes. The first reading of the proposed updates to the Family and … [Read more...]
County avoids Strongwell waste
At the June 6 meeting of the county board, more information was brought forward pertaining to the dusty waste produced at Strongwell Corporation in Chatfield. At the May 23 meeting, it was noted that the dusty waste (from production of fiber reinforced polymer products) has been dumped at the Resource Recycling Center for many years. Employee safety concerns have been … [Read more...]
Preston to consider private well ordinance
City Administrator Joe Hoffman, at the council’s June 5 meeting, explained why it may be in the public’s interest to adopt a private well ordinance. The two main concerns are environmental and fairness. City wells serve a lot of people and are tested regularly to assure safe water. In a smaller city like Preston, if a large industrial user were to drill a private well, there … [Read more...]
Veterans home committee members visit Chippewa Falls Veterans Home
Committees have been meeting now for months in Preston and Spring Valley, gathering information and planning for the possibility of building a veterans home in their Fillmore County community. Ron Scheevel and Don Gildner serve as co-chairs on the Preston committee. There is a competition between the two communities, each hoping to have the home built in their community. … [Read more...]
County works through Solid Waste issues
At the May 23 meeting of the Fillmore County Board, concerns were raised over Strongwell Corporation’s dusty waste that is being delivered to the Resource Recovery Center, which may be hazardous. County Attorney Brett Corson referred to a letter sent to William Hanson Waste Removal in March which raised several issues, for example, TVs in black plastic bags that were not … [Read more...]
Chatfield hears from Victim Services
Suzette McDonald and Judy Hagler, Victim Services in Dodge, Fillmore, and Olmsted Counties, explained that the program benefits people that are victims of sexual violence or any sort of crime. Their presentation was made at the May 22 meeting of the Chatfield City Council. The service established in 1976 is free. The 24/7 crisis line is (507) 289-0636. They are advocates for … [Read more...]
Preston hearing for 2017 sidewalk improvements set
At the May 15 Preston City Council meeting, the proposed sidewalk improvements for 2017 were discussed. Councilman David Collett was absent. Public Works Director Jim Bakken completed the annual sidewalk inspection in April. Any deviations over one inch were marked. Five locations were selected based on condition, volume and traffic, and funds available. His feasibility … [Read more...]
County PTO policy and staffing structure
Much of the May 9 County Board meeting was dominated by long discussions concerning PTO policy and staffing structure for Community Services. Commissioner Mitch Lentz was absent. The county is in the process of updating its policies. The proposed update of the PTO policy has resulted in a lot of comments from employees. Proposed new language: “Employees initially hired … [Read more...]
Resource Recycling Center changes
A discussion carried over from the Solid Waste committee dominated much of the May 2 county board meeting. County Coordinator Bobbie Vickerman said the committee wants to keep moving forward. A ramp option or conveyor to feed refuse into the compactor had been discussed in committee. The committee recommended a stationary conveyor due to efficiency, cleanliness, and safety … [Read more...]