At the February 6 city council meeting funding options for a State Veterans Home and the Riverside Center projects were discussed. Both projects have been in early planning stages for some time. Councilman Robert Maust suggested that each project could cost an estimated $500,000. City Administrator Joe Hoffman asked the council to consider hiring David Drown and Associates … [Read more...]
Icy winter requires additional salt
County Engineer Ron Gregg reported at the February 7 county board meeting that more road salt has been ordered at the state price. The county is low on salt and sand due to icy conditions this season. However, it is not uncommon to run low on salt requiring a February purchase. The 500 ton order will cost $37,000. Gregg said all of the county shops have been depleted. Funds … [Read more...]
A plea for health insurance premium relief
Last October, Governor Mark Dayton admitted that the projected significant jump in premiums for 2017 is making the Affordable Care Act “no longer affordable.” He proposed one fix for the estimated 123,000 Minnesotans faced with surging premiums of 55% or more. By providing a 25% premium rebate to those who purchase health insurance on the individual market, who are not eligible … [Read more...]
A big day for conservation in Minnesota
On January 17, Governor Mark Dayton signed an agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to leverage $350 million of federal dollars to help fund water quality improvement efforts in 54 southern and western Minnesota counties. Dayton believes “Minnesota is at a critical juncture in addressing our state’s serious water quality challenges.” The new … [Read more...]
Chatfield’s water meter installation near completion
At the January 23 meeting of the city council, Brian Burkholder reported that the installations of the water meters were near completion. At the last council meeting, he said that a third letter had been sent out to residents requesting residents to set up an appointment to have their meter installed. Public works people and installers went door to door in the evening to … [Read more...]
County updated on buffer law implementation
At the January 24 county board meeting, Rick Grooters and Ann Koliha, Fillmore County Soil and Water Conservation District, discussed buffer law compliance progress. Grooters stated that the Minnesota Buffer Law that was signed into law by Governor Dayton in June of 2015 has created a lot of controversy. The intention of the law is to protect water resources from erosion and … [Read more...]
Preston continues stay on wood burning cease and desist order
At the January 18 Preston City Council meeting, attorney Thomas Manion pressed the city council to continue a 2011 cease and desist order as requested by his client Diane Ruud. Several concerned citizens were in attendance. At a December 6, 2016 meeting, Dave Keene, owner of the property at 217 Preston St. SW, had requested that the cease and desist order be lifted due to … [Read more...]
New faces on Chatfield Council
At the January 9 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, the first order of business was the oath of office for the reelected mayor and the three new councilors. Mayor Russ Smith recited his oath of office. Newly elected councilors Joshua Broadwater, Pam Bluhm, and John Mc-Broom repeated their oath together. Councilor Paul Novotny was elected vice-mayor. Smith presented a … [Read more...]
Broadband grant awarded to Lanesboro area
On January 11, Lt. Governor Tina Smith announced Border to Border Broadband Development grants which will help fund the expansion of broadband in rural Minnesota. One of AcenTek’s two grant applications was awarded. A grant of about $1.78 million will help AcenTek build the infrastructure (last mile) to connect 431 unserved households, 42 unserved businesses, and one community … [Read more...]
Semcac helping people in Fillmore County
At the January 10 Fillmore County board meeting, Wayne Stenberg, Semcac executive director, reported on the non-profit organization’s efforts to help people “achieve their goals of self-reliance and independence.” Semcac offers over 25 programs from transportation, to Head Start, to Senior Dining, to energy assistance and weatherization, to family planning to name just a … [Read more...]