At the August 14 meeting, the Peterson Council learned of the upcoming dedication of the Peterson Station Museum’s memorial garden. Friends of Peterson, who is leading the work, officially named it the John T. Erickson Veterans Memorial Garden. Erickson was the longtime, volunteer curator at the museum. He passed away in May of last year.
“We would like that to be very special,” noted Gail Boyum.
The dedication will be on Saturday, October 5, at 1 p.m. at the museum, 228 Mill Street. Held during the Root River Trail Towns event, organizers hope the dedication will help attract visitors to the museum. Councilor Gail Boyum noted organizers are planning a pianist and trumpeters. Mayor Chris Stenzel will speak about the project and Councilor Kristina Grindland, a veteran, will acknowledge those who donated pavers during the fundraising.
During regular business, the council also discussed a citywide fall cleanup. Councilor Gail Boyum once again pushed for a discounted rate for items. She believes it will motivate citizens to reduce unused items further. The cleanups are held to help eliminate unused materials and items that may otherwise clutter properties, particularly those that may cause non-compliance issues with zoning.
“In order to motivate people, we need to do something,” she stressed.
“We’re definitely not making money on it,” said Councilor Justin Simon.
The event has cost the city $1,000-1,500 in the past. Grindland indicated he would provide a breakdown of fees and the cost of the last cleanup.
“Do people even know this happens before it occurs?” asked Councilor Justin Simon. “It’s a good idea, but yeah it’s expensive.”
“Somehow or other we need to advertise that this saves money and time,” said Boyum.
“People already know that. With the logistics of that, this is a given,” stated Councilor Grindland, who further noted the cleanup is far more economical than hauling items to the county collection site.
“I don’t know if it’s a given,” countered Boyum. “If it is, why do some people still have stuff in their yards?”
The council unanimously approved setting it for Saturday, September 21, from 8 a.m. until noon. The cleanup is open to any property within the city limits. There will be no discounted rate and fees will likely remain the same.
In other news, the council unanimously approved the purchase of a new rough-cut mower. The city sold an older tractor and mower at auction, receiving $2,670, minus seller’s fees. The quote from John Deere in Preston for the new offset mower is $7,000. Another quote was $850 higher and would require additional retrofitting to work with the city’s loader tractor hydraulics. Public Works Director Tim Hallum indicated the mower will provide better and safer mowing options reaching as much as a 65-degree slope when mowing areas such as the levee. The city will look at the possible use of campground funds, doing a transfer into the general fund, for the purchase.
The council also learned more about reopening the former feed and grain mill, owned by Chuck’s Feed & Grain, Inc. Hallum, who’d spoken with the new mill operator, indicated the goal is to have the mill cleaned up by Labor Day with a hopeful reopening by mid-September. A quit claim deed was recorded with the county on March 6 last year. The company’s social media began posting again in April 2023 after it closed in 2021.
Lastly, following the recent primary election, an update on candidacy filings was provided at the meeting. Peterson received affidavits from Stenzel for mayor and Councilors Tracy Seelbinder and Justin Simon for council. The filing deadline is past. These three will appear on the November ballot.
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