The Northfield School Board had a special meeting on Monday to approve 22 bids for work to be completed at Sibley Elementary School. The work to be completed will be a new cafeteria, music and art center as well as renovations to the existing cafeteria, an update on the media center, and special ed classroom space. The total project cost came in at 7.3 million dollars, which is under budget. Work will begin soon.
The Northfield Police Department is undergoing a study by Novak and Associates to look at the day-to-day functions of the police department. Police Chief Monte Nelson, who has been with the department for 23 years, welcomed the study and explains it will help with the department’s long-term strategic planning to provide better services for the community. Novak and Associates will give a final report to the council at a work session on Nov. 12, 2019.
Construction at the depot site continues. Northfield City Administrator Ben Martig explains that the project, being funded by TIF bonds, will hopefully be completed by the end of this construction season. During construction, some contamination was discovered but the clean-up was part of the budget so it didn’t affect construction. Although this is a small project on the city’s docket, Martig says it’s important to preserve Northfield’s railroad past.
