Northfield Hospital announced yesterday that visitors under the age of 18 will not be allowed during the current Respiratory Syncytial
Virus (or RSV) outbreak.
According to a statement released by the hospital, the restriction is to protect both patients and children who are at risk of serious illness from the highly contagious virus.
Cases of RSV are increasing dramatically across the community, and in fact the American Academy of Pediatrics called on the Biden Administration yesterday to declare a national health emergency in order to combat the virus.
Only visitors 18 and older are allowed for patients in the hospital and in the Birth Center, and residents in the Long-Term Care Center. The Birth Center will not make an exception for siblings at this time. A compassionate exemption may be made, however, for a patient or resident at the end of life.
For more information visit the Northfield Hospital + Clinics website at northfeldhospital.org
Hillmann has good outlook on elections
One week after the voters in the Northfield Area School District elected two new members and returned one incumbent to the Northfield 
Jeff Quinell won a fourth term on the school board, while Ben Miller and Jenny Nelson will be new members of the board.
“Both are parents in the school district,” said Hillmann, “and we are very excited to have them join the board, provide their perspectives, and represent the community.”
Hillmann thanked Robert Coleman and Ricky A. Livingston for their candidacy, and offered his thanks to Tom Baraniak, who did not receive enough votes to garner a second term. And he made special mention of retiring board member, and former Board Chair Julie Pritchard.
“Julie has had a tremendous amount of influence for well over a decade on nearly all district decisions,” he said. “She is one of the top supporters of public education in Northfield, and just one of the best hearts for leadership that I have ever met.”
Hillmann offered the same kind of gratitude to the voters who approved the renewal and expansion of the Capital Projects Levy. The renewal of the levy itself was passed by nearly 70% of the vote, while the expansion, which removes a cap from that kept it from growing along with the district’s net tax capacity, was approved with about 58% of the vote.
Hillmann said the passing of both questions means the district will be able to continue to take proper care of its buildings and will allow for some salaries to be re-categorized, giving the district’s general fund about $500,000 in relief.
He said everyone in the district, and especially the leadership, was thankful to the voters.
“Any time that the public gives you 50% + 1 support on a ballot question like this, you’re always grateful. And then when you have this kind of resounding support, it’s even more gratifying. So, on behalf of the board and the school district, we really appreciate the support and the confidence that the voters have provided.”
The referendum expansion will be applied in the next school year. The new school board will be seated in January.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matt Hillmann can be heard here
Rebound Partners taking measured approach to Archer House site development
The fire that destroyed the Archer House River Inn was two years ago this week, and the structure itself was torn down just about ten 
While there is no answer to that question just yet, Bent Nystrom and Brent Bielenberg of Rebound Partners, the company that owns the site and is redeveloping it, said there are good reasons for the project’s slow pace.
Earlier in the year, shortly after the Archer House had been demolished, there was optimism that construction on something new could begin in the early fall of 2022. Oertel Architects was engaged, and a press release said the community could expect to see some preliminary ideas in late May or early June. However, the summer, and now the fall have passed, and no information has been released.
Speaking on KYMN’s monthly program, Chamber Chat with Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce President Jane Bartho, Nystrom said he and the company he works for understand that the site is very meaningful to the community, and that is why the process has slowed down.
“It’s important to have something that will honor the Archer House,” he said, “and at the same time, have a vibrant, new spot to continue to attract folks coming from out of town.”
“It’s a weighty thing,” added Bielenberg, “because you know that people are expecting a lot. It’s important to get it right.”
Nystrom said they are working very closely with the city, who has engaged a consulting firm to represent municipal interests in the project. The idea is to align with other projects the city is working on, including the 5th & Water Streets re-development and the Bridge Square re-design.
The two acknowledged the increasing interest and anticipation of the project. Nystrom said he is asked about the site “almost daily,” while Bielenberg said he has been getting questions about it from people in the Twin Cities.
Bartho said, from her perspective, she sees the curiosity, but also the community’s patience for the project.
“There’s a lot of trust. But seeing the accomplishments of the past, Knowing the variables, and there are just so many people and things to weigh in on the decision. The timing is important. What it’s going to be, and what it’s going to look like will be worth the wait.”
Rebound is hopeful to begin the construction on the new development sometime in 2023.
This month’s edition of Chamber Chat can be heard here
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
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