By Teri Knight, News Director
Fair street assessments are a perennial topic for the Northfield City Council. This year is no different. According to law, the City must assess a minimum of 20% to the benefitting property owner. That’s a borrowing tool according to Administrator Ben Martig. He added, “we have an adopted policy. It’s challenging where we have different types of lots, different types of properties to determine what is that direct benefit”. Assessments for the 2021 mill & overlay were set by a professional appraiser at 35% but it’s not an exact science. Martig said, “as an example, if you’re valuing a 40 acre piece of farmland or a 2 acre piece of property, sometimes, because of the larger values like what happens on property taxes, the larger piece sometimes is
actually valued at a lower amount than the smaller piece”. Which is the case of Carleton College where they own some residential properties across the street from single family owners. The college owns much more land around the area and those homes were grouped in with the rest of their properties. One particular example of the difference between a resident and a college-owned home across the street was $4400. The vote was 5 to 2 to pass the assessments with C. DeLong and Nakasian voting against. A hearing is set for May 19th, where residents can bring their concerns to council for discussion and possible action. Martig said they are exploring alternative ways of appraisal, which could come back to council at a work session in May.
Going to Family Fare? Wear a mask
If you’re headed to Family Fare, be sure to have a mask. Family Fare is owned by Spartan Nash and they’re now requiring all employees and guests to wear masks unless there’s a medical condition that prohibits them. A post on their company website adds that they’re requiring these measures for all their distribution center and service center associates, truck drivers and vendors. The requirement will remain in effect until they’re notified by officials that such precautions are no longer necessary. This includes all of their store locations. Interim CEO Dennis Eidson writes that for several weeks, they’ve been encouraging associates to wear face coverings as well as conducting daily onsite health screenings at all locations. He expressed gratitude for the employees for their commitment. Northfield Family Fare.
Navigating the labyrinth of medical and school services and WHY community matters
On today’s continuing series on Why Community Matters, focusing on Laura Baker Services Association, I talked with parents of adult children with autism who live at home. The challenges began early as they moved through the labyrinth of medical and school challenges. The financial burdens and the toll of always being “on”, tuned in to assist their children. Vickey Dilley’s son has his own space in their home, a job and rides his bicycle. When asked about him living elsewhere she said, “he has such an isolated life right now that it concerns us that if we helped him get an apartment that it would become even more isolated”. They like the situation as it is but what will happen when they’re gone, “we’ve been a little bit of a part of the Laura Baker Services and they’re talking about housing in Northfield and maybe some opportunities and would we want to buy into that and I think that we’re open to exploring different things. I think living in community would be best for Evan”. Randy and Lynn Miland talked about navigating the system and how isolating it can be for parents. Then Adult Services after they’ve turned 21 is another cliff. Lynn tells the story of Kelly going to the coop by herself for the first time, everything went well till she got to the checkout and had forgot her money, Lynn continued, “and so she’s panicking and I said, it’s okay, Kelly we’ll take care of it. And as I’m going to pay the grocery bill, the woman behind the cash register said oh don’t worry about it, somebody in line took care of your bill… and that was when I realized… we’re in the right community. This is where she needs to be because there’s people that are looking out for her”. Community Matters. Listen to their full interview HERE. Tomorrow’s segment is entitled “Stronger Together” and will feature Scott Wopata and Anika Rychner of the Community Action Center.
