By Teri Knight, News Director
The Northfield School Board approved their preliminary levy this week at $20.4 million. Superintendent Dr. Matt Hillmann said that’s up from 20.19, representing a 2.25% increase. He explained, “the 2.25% increase is across the entire school district’s tax base. And in an interesting piece here, in the last year we’ve seen some pretty significant market value increases within the community, an expansion within the school district so that can spread the tax levy, which is a singular number, out across more entities in a different way”. He gave some history of past
levies, “last year our levy did go down by .2%, we called it flat, the year before it had gone up by 4% and in 2018 it had gone up 23, that’s when we had the bond referendum pass and in 2017 it went up .19%”. The school district is the largest portion of our property taxes. Hillmann’s full interview is HERE.
Dundas issues CUP, asking for $ to complete trail crossing of CR1 and Hwy3
The Dundas City council approved a conditional use permit for a new daycare center across from the Post Office. Administrator Jenelle Teppen said, “the conditions are adequate parking, turnaround for vehicles, storage, things like that”. The City is asking for assistance to complete a trail crossing at CR 1 and Hwy 3. CR 1 was reconstructed a few years ago and at that time the trail crossing was dropped from the project. It currently ends many feet back from the corner of 1 and 3 on the Northfield side, she explains, “we would like to continue it because it really does connect Dundas across Hwy 3 for pedestrians and bicyclists”. There’s work to do on all sides which means several agencies are involved from the city to the county to the state, “because they will have to adjust their signals and it’s very expensive, as most things are, and so we are seeking participation from the county”. There’s more to her interview HERE.
Nfld PD teams with CAC for a covid Night to Unite
Northfield is celebrating Night to Unite, covid style, on Tuesday, October 6th. Police Chief Mark Elliott said they had delayed the regular night in August to October in the hope that the neighborhood gatherings could safely take place. Unfortunately, Elliott said in a press release, the gatherings are not in the best interest of supporting our community given the current covid guidelines. However, Northfield Police encourage you to donate to the Community Action Center Food Shelf instead of gathering. Your Night to Unite party host will have a box available for you to place items. If you don’t have a host in your neighborhood, you can donate to the food shelf all year during their business hours. Elliott writes, “Over the past several years the NPD has valued the opportunity to gather with residents and their neighbors, an opportunity to get to know each other”. The full press release is HERE.
Rd closure for RR repair
Rice County Road 9 will close tomorrow through Saturday for between Hwy. 3 and County Road 76/Acorn Trail in Wells Township for railroad track repairs, which includes overnight hours. The proposed detour will be posted.
