NAFRS is going to hire a Program Coordinator for one year. Vice Chair Glen Castore said they expected to hire a consultant but, “it turned out that one of the fireman is excellently qualified for this, Sean Simonson. So he’ll start October 1st”. Simonson also works for the City of Northfield as Engineering Manager. As for what he’ll do, “because we didn’t really know how NAFRS was going to operate we threw everything and the kitchen sink into the agreement, in terms of what powers the Board has and so forth, and some of that is not
consistent with other documents that a Fire Dept. has to operate under, Standard Operating Guidelines”. He’s also tasked with documenting and clarifying administrative duties, “it’ll help us prepare board packages, it’ll help us go through documents, make sure they’re consistent, change where we need to. Just basic things like who has hiring authority, who has signature authority”. This position is part of what a full time paid Fire Chief would do. It’s also the position that Dundas was questioning as a committee authorized the hiring, rather than running it by the Joint Powers Board. All three entities signed off on it last week. Details of the pay were not disclosed but Castore had said previously that it would be around $40 an hour. Castore said the job will require about 10 hours a week.
Public tours of Greenvale Park Elementary
On October 1st, there will be a public tour of Greenvale Park elementary School from 7 to 8:30pm. Northfield Schools Superintendent Dr. Matt Hillmann said there will be a 30 minute presentation, a tour and time for Q&A. There will be two more opportunities (Oct. 9th and 13th) for the public to take a tour of the school as we head toward November 6th when the community will vote on a School Referendum that includes a new elementary school on the Greenvale site, and utilizing the existing school as an Early Childhood Center. In addition to the formal tours, Hillmann said there’s a lot more information on the District’s website including a tax calculator to help you know how much it will cost you. He said for an average $250,000 home it would be about $27 a year. You can also call the School District office with questions.
Rice Co. landfill and volunteer info
As clean up from the recent storm continues for Rice County residents, the Rice County Landfill will be open from 7:30 am. – 1:00 p.m. tomorrow with Extended Hours for YARD WASTE ONLY will be available from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. That includes: Leaves, Brush, Grass Clippings, Branches, Twigs, Garden Residue only. No bags (unless compostable), NO lumber, NO rocks, NO stumps. If you bring anything else during that time, you’ll be turned away. The landfill is at 3800 East 145th St., Dundas. If you have questions you can call (507) 332-6833 or email RCSolidWaste@co.rice.mn.us
They’re asking for more volunteers in Faribault, that info is on kymn.net as is a map for Northfield’s compost site at Babcock Park.
I-35 const. to lift Oct. 12th
Motorists on I-35 in Faribault are now encountering single lane traffic on the southbound side in the area of Co. Rd. 9 and Hwy 21. Northbound lanes remain single lane as ramp work is complete and median barrier cables are installed. They hope to open everything up by Oct. 12th.
