Out going EDA director Sam Smith introduced the new EDA director, Stephanie Hatzenbihler, at the June 27 meeting of the county board. Smith will continue with CEDA in the Mankato area. This was his last day with Fillmore County. During his time with the Fillmore County EDA, Smith worked to expand broadband to rural areas in the county. Rural Lanesboro was one of two … [Read more...]
Chatfield swimming pool committee reports to city council
Many members of the nine member swimming pool committee spoke to the city council during the June 26 Chatfield City Council meeting. Co-chair Julie Henry said the committee has been meeting monthly. The pool is over 50 years old and has many issues, the most recent a significant leak in the main pool which has been fixed temporarily with caulk. The pool opened in 1965. The … [Read more...]
What lies ahead for the Fillmore County Jail
Fillmore County’s jail is nearly a half century old, built in 1970. The jail was remodeled in 1995, at which time it was rated as a 24 bed facility. At that time a new garage, juvenile holding area, and multi-purpose room was added. The aging jail is plagued with mounting maintenance needs. Systems are dated and/or deteriorating. A water softener has never been in use; minerals … [Read more...]
Chatfield increases recycling pick-up frequency
At the June 12 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, refuse was again on the agenda. In early May the council raised the cost of a 40 gallon garbage bag 30 cents to $1.95, the first increase since 2004. This day the recycling pick-up frequency was increased to weekly from every other week. This will result in a base fee increase of $1.93 per month. The increase of recycling … [Read more...]
County reduces EMV for appellant
County Assessor Cindy Blagsvedt presented the Fillmore County 2017 assessment summary at the Fillmore County board of Appeal and Equalization meeting held on June 13. The total value of all property within the county increased 9.9% over the prior year. The increase was driven by 11% plus increased value of Ag/rural land and Seasonal Recreation land. There were 23 bareland … [Read more...]
Preston considers ambitious development project
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...]