After several months of discussion, the Peterson City Council has approved the order of a new welcome sign to be placed on the Root River State Trail. The 2×4-foot composite sign will taut a three-dimensional design and the city’s former school colors through a gold background and maroon lettering. Produced by Art Sign Works, of Murrieta, Calif., the sign will also have the city’s website logo with “Welcome to Peterson” on one side and “Velkommen to Peterson,” on the other. Total cost of the sign is $3,411, which will be paid for by a generous donation from the Peterson American Legion.
The city’s community garden also got the go-ahead from the council. Back in February, residents Joseph Kochen and Nancy Olson asked the council to consider allowing a space for the garden. At the time, the council opted to wait on a decision to find out more details and see what interest there was. To date, only the two have come forward with interest.
The city will allow use of a space at the former school football field for the garden. Kochen and Olson, and any others that participate, will be responsible for all upkeep and maintenance.
A public hearing was held April 22 for the purpose of discussing the Peterson Museum annex construction. There were no citizen comments. “Everything is on plan. Hopefully, we’ll start in two weeks with concrete,” said Mayor Tim Hallum.
The purpose of the 720-square-foot addition on the 1877 former railroad station, now a museum and visitor’s center, is to house items recently acquired from the former Peterson School District. Trophies, plaques, and graduate pictures will join extracurricular uniforms and other items from the school. The organizing group of the project, Friends of Peterson, were successful in raising the $60,000 needed for construction. Group members, along with volunteer project architect Larry Malmin, have sought quotes and selected a builder.
In new business, Mayor Hallum discussed a proposed all terrain vehicle trail and parking in the city. “The project is still going forward, but it doesn’t have solid concrete to it yet,” he noted. Developers of the trail are working with the Department of Natural Resources and Fillmore County on the trail, which is expected to go from Chatfield to Peterson. The trail is currently planned to come into Peterson along Deep River Road, turning onto County Road 25 in the city limits.
“They’re hoping for this summer,” added Hallum. “Everyone has the same questions. The biggest holdup about coming into the city is there’s still no place for gas.” Developers have reached out to the city and the option of a fuel barrel with a credit card machine is on the table. “Right now, we just need to make sure it comes here before we jump into anything. There’s no use looking into it until we know this thing is going to come here. It’s looking good, but I can’t give you a timeline.” It was also noted that the trail could be big for Peterson down the road, particularly with the option to see campground expansion if it’s successful.
Councilor Gail Boyum segwayed conversation regarding the trail to a topic she wanted to discuss with the council: a possible police contract. “I was concerned about whether or not we’d need them for the ATV trail. After talking with Sheriff DeGeorge, there doesn’t seem to be any concern.”
“I am concerned about our following through with our ordinances,” she continued. “It’s hard. We know these people. It’s such a small town. We send a letter out, and another letter, and five years down the road, it’s still the same problems. What if we had sheriff’s department handle it?” Boyum indicated she’d discussed the matter with DeGeorge and stated that if under contract, the department could handle all paperwork, follow-up, and enforcement. “The contract fee seems to be tough for the people of Peterson to even consider though,” she added. Coverage by the department for two hours a day is $24,000 annually.
“There are only two towns in the county with no contract with the police, Peterson and Rushford Village. They [Fillmore County] have to respond to us, but they don’t have the personnel so can’t respond quick enough,” cautioned Boyum. “Maybe there’s an option to do a per hour charge where the city would handle paperwork and we would just call them in for when the enforcement problem arises.” Sheriff DeGeorge is slated to come speak at the June council meeting regarding the proposed new jail. It was suggested the council discuss the issues with him further at that time.
Boyum also requested a police officer during the Gammel Dag celebration between noon and four. A police officer is usually contracted to serve during evening celebrations, but not during the day. Hallum questioned what the daytime need was and Boyum clarified a need for “supervision of what’s going on.”
“What if Friends of Peterson shared the costs? There’s some inappropriate things happening during the day and in the evening,” she stated. Hallum suggested Boyum bring a price quote to the next meeting before the matter could be discussed further.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is June 9, at 6 p.m., at city hall. It is open to the public.
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