Basil’s Pizza has been working on an expansion involving the City-owned property at 219 Water Street, for about 3 years. There have been several incarnations in that time and the latest was presented to the Northfield Council this week. Administrator Ben Martig said they’re looking at a $140,000 project that would include, “a one story actual building expansion that they’d be looking to offer more dining space as well as some restrooms for the public”. This would be an enclosed space as opposed to the Pergola and outdoor seating they presented last year. However,
with the 1 level expansion they also need a variance because Council changed the code to require 2 story building in that zone. Martig said the valuation of the amount of property they would require from the City, which is half of the plot, is about $10,000. In early April Council will go into closed session, Martig said, “they’ll talk about valuation and negotiation. Are they interested in selling it, to negotiate with them, do they want to offer it to them at no cost and leverage the dollars that they’re putting in”. The Council seemed in favor of moving forward with the project. The City paid $70,500 for the lot and the demolition of the building. They plan on using part of the land for riverwalk access.
Nfld Schools looks to add a 7th grade Health Teacher
The Northfield School District is looking to add a Social/Emotional learning curriculum. In terms of the Middle School, the best option they felt is to add a 7th grade health teacher. Right now health is taught in 6th and 8th grades. Superintendent Dr. Matt Hillmann said, “by being able to spread those health standards out over 3 grades, we’d reduce the stress load on how deep health teachers can provide instruction. It would open up enough opportunity for them to also integrate into those grades social/emotional learning”. It would also allow them to better address the World’s Best Workforce and Northfield Promises benchmark of career and college readiness. Hillmann said if students see themselves in a career in 8 to 10 years out, “we know that that will have an impact on their high school experience and their preparation for the real world, so to speak”. Adding that 7th grade position will also help them implement a career planning component. The proposal went before the School Board this week.
Gengenbach’s honored by Northfield Rotary
Carol and Gerry Gengenbach were honored last week with the Northfield Rotary Club’s Good Neighbor Award. The award goes each year to someone outside the club whose community work reflects Rotary’s commitment to “service above self.” A retired teacher, Carol has served for four years on the board of Northfield Community Action Center, one year as vice president. She’s been a member of the program committee and was a leader in CAC’s Bridges Out of Poverty workshop. Carol currently chairs the organization’s Housing Task Force, serves as a mentor for Northfield Works and volunteers at Thursday’s Table and the Northfield Food Shelf. Gerry is a retired Lutheran minister who has served for six years as president of Northfield Senior Center and sits on every board committee. He repairs furniture for the organization’s Used-A- Bit shop. Gerry delivers Meals-On- Wheels and financially supports the work of the Northfield Historical Society, Northfield Retirement Center and others. Congratulations to the Gengenbach’s and thank you! Press Release Good Neighbor
