Three resolutions were adopted at the July 24 meeting of the Chatfield City Council decertifying three tax increment financing districts. Councilor Josh Broadwater was absent. Chris Giesen, EDA director, explained the three TIF districts have run the course of their agreements. They are all on the Fillmore County side of Chatfield. District 3-2 was created in 2003 to assist … [Read more...]
Chatfield honors Joel Young for serving his community well
At the July 10 meeting of the Chatfield city council, Luke Fischer, executive director of the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC), began with a presentation in honor of retiring city administrator Joel Young. The League represents 838 cities in Minnesota. LMC advocates for cities at the state capital, provides resources, training, policy development and other services. Justin … [Read more...]
Harriet M. Herrick (née Bondeson)
Harriet M. Herrick (née Bondeson) passed away unexpectedly on July 10, 2023. She was 85. Born June 10, 1938, in Marshall, Minn., to Peter and Minnie Bondeson, she lived in Wabasha and then Chatfield, Minn. Her father was the Chatfield baker in the 1940s and ‘50s. She married Donald Herrick on June 15, 1957. She taught elementary art education until 1974, then pursued … [Read more...]
Bernard “Bernie” Bandel
Bernard “Bernie” Chad Bandel, 66, of Rochester, died Wednesday, July 5, 2023, at Mayo Clinic Hospital - Methodist Campus in Rochester. Bernie was born April 2, 1957, in Rochester. He graduated from Chatfield High School in 1975. On September 22, 1979, he married Cindy K. House in Chatfield. The couple eventually settled in rural Chatfield while raising their family. Bernie … [Read more...]
James “Jim” Hagen
James “Jim” Hagen, 82 of Tampa, Fla., formerly of Mabel, died June 19 in Tampa. Jim was born July 17, 1941, in Spring Grove to Knute V. and Lillian (Haakenson) Hagen. He was baptized in Riceford, confirmed at the Mabel First Lutheran Church, and graduated from the Mabel High School in the Class of 1959. On November 28, 1959, Jim married Mary Jane Hovey. They were later … [Read more...]
Betty Finley
Betty L. Finley, 83, of Chatfield, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 10, 2023, at Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield, with her husband and daughter be her side. Betty Louise Theel was born March 22, 1940, in rural Chatfield to Richard and Irene (Eickhoff) Theel. Betty graduated from Chatfield High School in 1957 and was the class valedictorian. Betty went to work … [Read more...]
Christine Riggle
Christine Ann (Stevens) Riggle, of Chatfield, Minn., passed away Thursday, July 6, 2023. Chris was born to Adell and Frances (Stinehart) Stevens on January 13, 1953, in Mason City, Iowa. The family relocated to rural Lanesboro, Minn., when Chris was young. Chris spent her childhood helping on the farm and running in the woods with her siblings. She was fiercely independent, … [Read more...]
Bill Clemens
Bill Clemens, 60, of Chatfield, Minn., passed away peacefully at St. Marys Hospital, surrounded by family and loved ones on Monday, July 10, 2023. Bill was born August 28, 1962, to Gerald (Jerry) Clemens and Shirley (Strande) Clemens. He grew up in rural Chatfield, Minn., and graduated from Chosen Valley High School. He resided near his childhood farm with his wife and … [Read more...]
Chatfield authorizes sale of 2023A General Obligation Bonds
Mike Bubany, David Drown Associates, Inc., reported at the city council’s June 26 meeting that S & P Global Ratings assigned its “AA” long-term rating to Chatfield’s $2.3 million series 2023A GO bonds. Four bids had been received this day for the bond sale. The lowest bidder was Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc. The average coupon rate is 4% with a net affective rate of … [Read more...]
Variance approved for communications tower in Chatfield Township
During a public hearing at the Fillmore County Board of Adjustment’s June 8 meeting, several residents spoke against the variance application for a communication tower in Chatfield Township. Alex Trueman, North Tower, described the need for this tower to be located in Section 22 of Chatfield Township (property owned by John and Ruth Wendt) to best improve coverage and … [Read more...]
Chatfield Board approves 2023-2024 budget
At the June 14 school board meeting, board members Jill Harstad, David Sowinski, Mark Johnsrud, Katie Priebe and Tom Keefe were present as well as Superintendent Ed Harris, Lorri Lowery, administrative assistant and Trista O’Connor, business manager. Board member Josh Thompson and both principals, Shane McBroom and Eric Nelson were not in attendance. The following items were … [Read more...]
Chatfield awards construction contract for 2023 Street Project
At a special city council meeting held on June 7, the bid from Griffin Construction Co. Inc. in the amount of $1,759,308.26 was accepted for the 2023 Street Improvement Project. Four contractors had submitted bids for the project. The project includes the reconstruction of portions of Grand St. SE, Hawley St. SE, and Prospect St. SE and the rehabilitation of a portion of … [Read more...]
MaryAnn Theresa Jack
MaryAnn Theresa Jack passed away peacefully with her family around her on May 23, 2023, at Seasons Hospice in Rochester. MaryAnn was born October 7, 1927, in Rochester, Minn., to George and Ida (Schleusner) Caflisch. She was raised in Simpson Township, attending school there through eighth grade. She graduated from Stewartville High School in 1946. MaryAnn married Eugene … [Read more...]
Chatfield presents 2023 Heritage Preservation Award
At the May 8 city council meeting Chris Giesen, Heritage Preservation Commission chairman, presented the 2023 Heritage Preservation Award to Mike and Julie Sogla. Councilor Josh Broadwater was absent. The commission exists to assist in the preservation of unique/architecturally significant and historic buildings and other projects in Chatfield. This year’s award presented to … [Read more...]
Chatfield board hears from the newly formed Chatfield Education Foundation
At the May 10, Chatfield School Board meeting, board members Josh Thompson, Jill Harstad, David Sowinski, Mark Johnsrud, Katie Priebe and Tom Keefe were present as well as Superintendent Ed Harris, Principals Shane McBroom, Eric Nelson, Community Education Director, LuAnn Kleven, and Lorri Lowery, administrative assistant were present. Representatives of the Chatfield … [Read more...]