Fillmore County Journal 12.2.13

Page 1

PRSRT STD ECR WSS US. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 70 MADELIA, MN 56062

23 shopping days until Christmas!

POSTAL PATRON

“Where Fillmore County News Comes First” Weekly Edition

Page 23

County hearing on 2014 budget and levy page

2

Monday, December 2, 2013

Lanesboro Schools approve audit report page

17

Volume 29 Issue 11

County Board continues telecommuting page

24

Christmas comes to Peterson page

25

Canton l Chatfield l Fountain l Harmony l Lanesboro l Mabel l Ostrander l Peterson l Preston l Rushford l Rushford Village l Spring Valley l Whalan l Wykoff

Planning Commission adopts SSTS ordinance By K aren R eisner karen@fillmorecountyjournal.com

Several Rushford residents turned out to address the council regarding the issue of police protection. Photo by Kirsten Zoellner

Rushford debates police staffing, coverage By K irsten Zoellner kirsten@fillmorecountyjournal.com

The ongoing issue over whether or not to fill the police department vacancy left by recently resigned, full-time officer Chris Frick continues to bring out public support and heated debate. Police Chief Adam Eide came before the council on November 12 to seek replacement for the position, but the recommendation was tabled to allow for further consideration. That conversation continued recently at a labor management meeting involving Mayor Hallum, Councilor Vern Bunke,

Administrator Steve Sarvi, and Eide, but it was clear by the November 25 council meeting, little had changed in perception of a remedy to the problem. In September of 2012, Eide came before the council, following direction from Bunke, regarding a plan for various community safety projects to bolster the police protection. “While all those projects are very good, admirable, effective, there’s still a bit of concern whether or not we’re doing as much as we can as a council and community to support our officers and public safety effort,” noted Bunke in refer-

ence to Eide’s plan. “The consensus is that the public might have to take greater ownership of public safety, while controlling cost. We need to look at all options available. We have a great crew in this town. It’s outstanding. At the same time, if we’re not diligent in looking at all of the options, openly and honestly, without accusation and emotion, then we’re not doing the right thing. I don’t have the answer, but I’m suggesting we look at every possible option before we nail ourselves down to the cost of a full-time officer.” See RUSHFORD Page 11 

A public hearing regarding a proposed new Fillmore County Sub-Surface Sewage Treatment System (SSTS) ordinance was held on November 21. Zoning Administrator Chris Graves explained that the state requires the new ordinance to be in place by February 2014. The state has reviewed the proposed draft and approved it. Graves commented on a couple portions of the ordinance. Alternative Local Standards (Section 5, 502) lists 10 Fillmore County townships where standards are detailed for Gray Water Systems meant to specifically serve the Amish community where their dwellings do not have an indoor toilet. Also, new standards reduce the time allowed to fix a failed system from 18 months to 12

months. Duane Bakke expressed concern about the considerable increase in “mound” systems. He said more analysis is necessary to make sure there is a need for a mound system. A mound system could cost a property owner $3,000 to $8,000 more than a conventional system. Graves said they have to abide by state rules. Mike Frauenkron maintained that if an inspector comes in at the point of a sale for a compliance inspection, a conventional system could be found to be non-compliant. He agreed that there are more mound systems being put in. Bakke suggested that much is up to the current interpretation in St. Paul. Frauenkron said he has been working in this area since the 1980s. He said since 1996 See PLANNING Page 8 

Engineering proposal accepted for planned 2014 improvement project Chatfield EDA has acquired grant funding related to the projkaren@fillmorecountyjournal.com ects planned for St. Albans Place At the Chatfield City Council’s and Twiford Street. November 25 meeting a proposal WSB project manager Dilfrom WSB and Associates was lon Dombrovski was present to accepted for engineering services answer any questions associated related to planned 2014 street with the engineering proposal at and utility improvements. Coun- a cost not to exceed $89,300 for cilor Paul Novotny was absent. planning and design phases. The Chatfield is planning a sub- work will be billed at standard stantial 2014 project which will hourly rates. If additional work is include four locations: St. Albans added to the project, additional Place, Twiford Street, Bench Street, and West Chatfield. The See CHATFIELD Page 2  By K aren R eisner


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.