The project is about 60{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} complete. Fire Facility architect, Dave Medin, took City council and some NAFRS Board members on a tour of the NAFRS expansion project Friday. Nearly everything that can be changed, will be changed as they expand and update the entire facility with new HVAC systems, sleeping quarters for four, a new kitchen, a conference room and, of course, much more room to store all their equipment. Medin
added they’re replacing the glass on the west side of the current building with, “low e tempered glass” due to UV rays destroying some of their equipment. Fire Captain Sean Simonson explained how the equipment currently sitting where the fire trucks are, will be taken out and moved creating needed space for fire trucks and their other equipment such as a boat. The mezzanine and pole will remain. Medin said the building had been designed for civil defense. They’ve found some surprises, “the most recent one was water running out of an electrical conduit, which someone evidently substituted with pvc and that got capped, water is now going into the storm system”. He said the water had been running through the whole time finding it’s own path down to the river. They hope to start placing the facade on the building. While there have been some setbacks, they are still looking at a March 10th, 2019 completion. As for budget, they’re about $18,000 into a $200,000 contingency. Pictures are on kymn.net [envira-gallery id=”72075″]
Dundas Police Chief retires
Dundas Police Chief Gordon Mincke has left the building. Mincke retired after 26 years as a police officer, nearly 24 of them in Dundas. Family, friends, city officials and neighboring police officers gathered at Memorial Park to celebrate Gordy last Friday afternoon. He told KYMN he had no specific plans just yet but to take the winter off and do what he wants to do or do nothing at all. He said it was a tough decision but he’s gotta retire some time, might as well do it now. Commenting on Interim Chief, Eric Klein, he says it’ll be a good transition. He added that it’s a great opportunity for Klein, who’s been with the Dundas department for 10 years, “he’ll serve the community well”. Klein said he’s looking forward to the opportunity. Pictures are on kymn.net. [envira-gallery id=”72087″]
Nfld Tranportation to focus on Hwys 246 and 19
The Northfield City Council created a Northfield Transportation Advisory Committee in September. At their Oct. 2nd meeting, Mayor Pownell said, the council was asked what they wanted to focus on on Hwy 246 potential solutions including turning it back to the County, installing a roundabout and also Hwy 19. Transit was another discussion item. Part of that means creating a transit hub in the area of the Northfield Depot on the Q-block. She said this Advisory committee will bring the issues to the forefront. Tomorrow night, they’ll hold a work session which will include the Utility Rate Study, a Climate Action Plan update, budget options and whether to form another advisory committee, this one regarding Riverfront Enhancement.
Red/Blue workshop focus on civil discourse
Better Angels was launched in 2016 as a non-profit bipartisan citizen movement to reduce political polarization. Fifty North is holding a Red/Blue Workshop next Saturday from 10am to 5pm. Chris Ellison said it’s an intense workshop meant to breakdown the stereotypes each side has about the other. It’s about how to listen and how to communicate without antagonizing one another, civil discourse. Registration must go through Ellison as you must identify yourself as either Red or Blue, the point being, they must have an equal number on each side. Ellison said the program isn’t about changing peoples minds, it’s about being able to speak to those with differing opinions. The program is free, call Fifty North or email chris.ellison@fiftynorth.org
