A lengthy Rushford Council meeting February 10 gave the council much to think about. First up was an informational discussion with City Attorney Mike Flaherty regarding conditional use permitting, specifically the procedure by which they’re granted and the legal standards applicable to them. Flaherty is working with the city to review the city’s code as it relates to … [Read more...]
Chatfield technology upgrades
Technology upgrades were approved at the February 10 Chatfield City Council meeting. Councilors Mike Urban and John McBroom were absent. City Clerk Joel Young reported that the total cost of the technology upgrades will be under $16,000. A switch is to be upgraded in the computer server room, along with the wireless capability in the Thurber Building. The firewall and … [Read more...]
Emergency! Shrinking number of EMS volunteers
Emergency Medical Services — those professionals responding to crisis calls and both treating and transporting patients — are a vital part of our communities. So integral, we assume they’re just always there, willing and waiting in the wings when we need them. What happens though when there aren’t enough workers to do the job? In Fillmore County, these are volunteer-staffed … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Public Health hosts Healthy Bluff Country Summit
Fillmore County Public Health recently hosted the Healthy Bluff Country Summit on January 28 and 30 at the Fillmore County Office Building. Health Educator Brenda Pohlman and Director of Nursing for Public Health Jessica Erickson led the Summit. The purpose of the event was to discuss the current and future state of health in Fillmore County and provide information for the … [Read more...]
LPU member threatens resignation over wastewater treatment plan project
Lanesboro Public Utilities Commission member Don Bell read a letter to the council stating his ongoing opposition to the wastewater treatment plant project. “There have been a lot of missed opportunities and bad decisions,” he said, adding that the city has been warned by both the DNR and FEMA not to build the plant in a flood plain as planned. “We have a collective … [Read more...]
Chatfield School Board reaches tentative contract agreement with teachers
The following board members were present at the February 5, 2020, Chatfield School Board meeting: Amy Jeffers, Lanny Isensee, Katie Priebe, Matt McMahon and Rick Lowrey. Scott Backer was absent. Also present were Superintendent Ed Harris, Principals Shane McBroom and Randy Paulson, Krista O’Connor, business manager; Lorri Lowrey, administrative assistant, and student senate … [Read more...]
Ostrander well issues to be repaired
During the Ostrander City Council meeting on February 4, the council heard details on issues related to the city’s wells. Brian Malm, Chief Engineer at Bolton & Menk, informed the council that, “We had a couple issues on the well and well house project… During operation, we’re having some issues with fluoride… In the investigation, we discovered there was sand building up … [Read more...]
Rushford Village gives green light to solar project land lease
Having approved the required permitting at the January 28 council meeting, the City of Rushford Village formally consented to a 26-year land lease with OneEnergy Resources. The lease of up to three acres of city-owned land is expressly for the purpose of housing a portion of a $3.3 million, one-megawatt solar array system. The project is in partnership with MiEnergy. For … [Read more...]
Preston creates rehab loan fund
Preston EDA recommended the city council create a loan fund to rehab and create apartments in existing buildings in the city. The recommendation was considered at the February 3 meeting. Small city block grant program loan repayments are being collected into the 274 account and they will make up this loan fund. City Administrator Joe Hoffman said he was excited about the … [Read more...]
Legislators hear county priorities
Senator Jeremy Miller and Representative Greg Davids listened to Fillmore County department heads as they reviewed their legislative priorities for the 2020 session at the February 4 County Board meeting. County Administrator Bobbie Vickerman started by thanking the legislators for their support in 2017 to add additional dollars to the County Program Aid program. The formula … [Read more...]