By Wanda Hanson
Addressing the Rushford Village Council at their regular meeting on August 4, Rachel Ukkestad, Beth LaFleur, and Carl Ukkestad asked for approval of a replotting of gravesite block sizes at the Oakwood (Sherwood) Cemetery. Carl Ukkestad came prepared with the maps of both the original plotting from two years ago as well as the new replotting map. He explained to the council that this only changes the size of some gravesites from 4×8 feet to 4×12 feet. As a result, there will be fewer grave sites, but this will enable leaving tombstones in place when a second grave needs to be dug for a couple sharing a tombstone. No surveying was necessary; the council approved the replotting.
Public Works Supervisor Kyle Chiglo shared that the village had reached the budget limit for graveling roads. Last year, the only rocking done in the village had been to replace gravel loss due to flooding. Chiglo suggested that it would be wise to go over the budget this year by around $5,000 and then raise the budget for the roads for next year. He noted that village crews had done a lot of ditch work in an attempt to ready the roads for winter.
Councilman Mike Ebner commented to Chiglo, “I’ve heard a lot of good comments on what you’re doing.” Councilman Roger Knutson asked that Chiglo keep a record of what roads got rocked and the year it was done. Chiglo said he was doing that and would supply it to the council.
Chiglo brought up the AcenTek request to lay fiber along Ekern Road. He suggested that perhaps AcenTek would be willing to assume liability for any fiber the village might accidentally cut in order to receive permission to use that access. City Attorney Joseph O’Koren noted that was a possibility to include in an agreement if AcenTek agreed to it, noting that it was called “indemnity.”
Chiglo went on to report on the sewer lift station; the pumps are being upgraded with a higher horsepower. A new panel was also installed to handle the more powerful pumps. The lifting jack needs to be moved as soon as possible; the pipe currently holding it in place has rusted. The new pumps do not have a low level alarm; the council wants to see if that can be added to protect the pumps from burning out. Chiglo has been spending time familiarizing himself with the new equipment, noting he’d rather do it now than some cold winter day.
The council approved a resolution for the submission of the city’s claim in the Purdue Pharmacy Opioid litigations. This is a claim on a bankruptcy of Purdue; the company had made claims that their opioids were not addictive. Attorney O’Koren cautioned that this is a lengthy process and will likely take several more years. Currently, it hasn’t been stated whether any money returned will be required to be spent on anything in particular.
Plans for the upcoming primary and Village elections were discussed; Clerk Mary Miner explained the plans to keep voters socially distanced. She added that people not wanting to wear a mask to vote could wait in their cars and a judge could bring the ballot to them (curbside voting). Since Peterson residents will be getting ballots mailed to them, only Arendahl and Rushford Village residents will be voting on site. Any person eligible to vote in the City of Rushford Village may file an affidavit of candidacy until August 11 at 5 p.m.
Since the COVID-19 situation hasn’t really changed since spring, the council decided to cancel the fall clean-up for the city and wait until next spring.
In other action the council learned of the new permits in the city including: Clair Olstad’s house shingling, David Brand’s retaining wall, patio, and steps, Steve Tufte’s house reroofing, and Mike Messenger’s extensive concrete for a basketball court.