The NAFRS joint powers board met last week. They discussed an amendment to the cost allocation between the three entities, Northfield, Dundas and the Rural townships. Vice-Chair Glen Castore explains that they’ll be including fire calls in the formula and buildings only. Currently, the value of land is also included. As for percentages, Castore said, Northfield pays about 72{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9}, they’ll go to 75{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9}, Rural’s contribution will drop by 3{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} and
Dundas will pay the same. Castore said this was about being fair, adding that Northfield accounts for 80{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} of the calls. Castore said, rural takes 16{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} of the fire calls and currently pays about 23{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9}. Board Member Dana Graham, who has been with the JPA at it’s formation, commented that this cost allocation change came when the fire facility cost rose and the rural townships said they could only afford $60,000 a year to be part of the JPA. Graham asked to see the resolution Rural signed but has yet to see it. He said, the finance committee approved the changes, but he believes they “backed into” the process. He will vote against the resolution when it goes for a vote in May.
Three Council seats open up
Elections are coming up. In Northfield, there are 3 Council terms ending, Member-at-Large and the First and Fourth Wards. They are Greg Colby, Suzie Nakasian and Jessica Peterson White respectively. Filing for those positions is May 15th through the 29th. Contact City Hall for more information. A primary election will be held August 14th with the general election on November 6th. 2018 Election judge recruitment will be starting within the next two weeks. Anyone interested in serving, should contact City Clerk Deb Little via e-mail at: deb.little@ci.northfield.mn.us.
Warm weather and road work
As the weather warms, road construction is heating up. CSAH 1 will be closing between Hwys 246 and 3 beginning Monday for a full reconstruction. There are a number of pavement repair projects scattered through southeast Minnesota, they include Hwy 56 between Randolph and West Concord and Hwy 52 near Pine Island. I have the complete list on kymn.net. Also check 511mn.org. Rout and seal project 4-23-18
Stratmoens are announced as 2018 Heywood recipients
Just a wee bit of deception and it was a surprise as the Defeat of Jesse James Days Committee announced this morning in the KYMN studios, the 2018 Joseph Lee Heywood Distinguished Service Award Joint Recipients. Lois & Noel Stratmoen will be honored together. The couple are the 36th recipients of this very prestigious award.They’ll be honored September 5th at the Northfield Ballroom, kicking off the Defeat of Jesse James Days celebration. Look for their bios and pictures on kymn.net and listen to the last part of the Wayne Eddy Affair this morning. Noel Stratmoen Lois Stratmoen
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