At the August 8 meeting of the county board, airport plans/budget and the 2018 Highway department preliminary budget dominated the discussion. The grant which was accepted is in the amount of $486,041 from the Federal Aviation Administration for an updated Master Plan and rehab of pavements and apron (crack repair and seal coating). The state and the county will each provide … [Read more...]
Preston to consider extending police services to Fountain
Due to the impending retirement of Fountain’s long time part-time police chief Tom Mosher, Fountain has invited Preston staff to meet with them on August 14 to discuss the possibility of Preston contracting with Fountain for police services. In a related matter, a revised contract with the city of Lanesboro was approved at the August 7 Preston City Council meeting. Councilman … [Read more...]
MnDOT introduces 10-year plan
At the August 1 County Board meeting, District 6 planning director Ronda Allis detailed MnDOT plans for the coming decade. District 6 includes 11 southeastern Minnesota counties. As part of MnDOT’s outreach, effort local government units are presented with an overview of the 10-year plan. Planned projects in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program will be done in the … [Read more...]
Kevin Beck appointed chief deputy
After an extended discussion over the chief deputy agreement at the July 25 board meeting, Kevin Beck was appointed chief deputy sheriff effective July 28 to replace recently retired Tony Webber. Beck has been with the department 22 years, currently serving as emergency manager/assistant jail administrator. Beck will be leaving a Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS) union … [Read more...]
Industrial Drive improvement moves forward
City Clerk Joel Young, at the July 24 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, announced that the city has been awarded a Business Development Public Infrastructure grant by DEED in an amount of up to $177,000 for segment 1 roadway improvements of Industrial Drive. The grant matches one dollar for one dollar. Councilor Joshua Broadwater said he was only comfortable doing … [Read more...]
Crown Hill Cemetery Commission looks to the city for help
At the July 17 meeting of the Preston City Council, Gary Feine and Kevin Ostern discussed the possibility of the city becoming involved in the operation and maintenance of the Crown Hill Cemetery. Mayor Kurt Reicks was absent. Feine briefly reviewed a history of the cemetery. The first registered burial was in 1865. He stated that after hours of research he was not able to … [Read more...]
Letter about Senator John McCain…
To the Editor, Learning of Senator John McCain’s diagnosis of aggressive brain cancer reminded me that there are elected officials that really do work for what is best for the country. He is an honorable man that has earned our respect. We need more men and women with his character in public service regardless of party affiliation. McCain has been able to work with the other … [Read more...]
Chatfield approves Wellhead Protection Plan amendment
Scott Hanson, groundwater specialist with Minnesota Rural Water Association, provided technical assistance to create the amended Wellhead Protection Plan (WHP). He briefly reviewed the amendment at the July 10 city council meeting. The Chatfield WHP plan was originally approved by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) in 2007 and has been in effect through June 2017. The … [Read more...]
County to consider Wheelage Tax
Well over half of all Minnesota counties already have a Wheelage Tax; Fillmore County does not. Highway Engineer Ron Gregg provided information about this possible source of road and bridge funding at the July 11 county board meeting. Commissioner Duane Bakke was absent. During the last legislative session the possible amount for a Wheelage Tax was raised from $10 to $20 per … [Read more...]
Preston City Hall renovation nears completion
At the July 5 meeting of the Preston City Council, the last two portions of the city hall project were discussed. City Administrator Joe Hoffman suggested a committee be formed to consider a number of options for the sign in front of city hall. Hoffman suggested that the committee include Mayor Kurt Reicks, himself, Gabby Kinneberg, and another council member. Charles Sparks … [Read more...]