When President Biden signed the National Defense Authorization Act on Friday, he officially certified that Northfield will receive a 
$25.087 million federal grant toward a new drinking water treatment plant. The grant will cover 75% of the estimated cost of a new $33.45 million facility.
The money means water rates will be able to stay low for Northfield residents and businesses. The federal grant will save Northfield households on average $15 each month, or about $180 a year from what they would have paid without the grant. Water consumers in the city will see additional financial benefit from their tap water being softened. A statement released by the city said the new water treatment plant will allow residents the ability to remove in-home water softeners and save residents roughly $40 a year in salt costs and reduce water usage by 2,500 to 4,000 gallons per year. Businesses that need higher quality water won’t have to treat it as much, which will lower their costs at their facilities, too.
The city has determined that a new drinking water treatment plant is necessary due to the high levels of Manganese found in three of the city’s five wells. mayor Pownell said the plant is necessary to protect the most vulnerable members of the Northfield Community.
“The Water Treatment Plant will provide Northfield water consumers with clean and safer drinking water to their taps and will meet all federal and state water requirements and guidance once it’s constructed. Pregnant women and infants are the primary ones at risk, and we know those most economically stressed are most likely to not have the ability to afford alternative water sources or treatment systems that others may benefit from. We simply have to prioritize ensuring the safety of our child-bearing mothers and young infants for all in our community.”
City Administrator Ben Martig noted that the plant will be built to the city’s new green building code.
“It will be constructed to meet the city’s sustainable building design standard certification recently established by the City Council and consistent with our carbon reduction goals. It will also have high efficiency lighting and equipment, along with green roof and solar panels on the roof. Additionally, the city will be working with its engineer to ensure the plant is carbon neutral.”
Mayor Pownell, the City Council and city staff thanked Representative Angie Craig, Senator Amy Klobuchar, and Senator Tina Smith for their advice and support of this important legislation for all Northfield residents.
Age-Friendly Northfield offers suggestions for city parks
Age-Friendly Northfield has produced a survey of the Northfield Parks. The report is meant to serve as a list of suggestions to the city 
that, as it embarks on a multi-year, multimillion-dollar overhaul of the park system, should be kept in mind for the older members of the community.
David DeLong of the Age-Friendly Northfield Steering Committee said members of the organization visited every park in Northfield and found some universal issues throughout the park system.
By-and-large, DeLong said, Northfield does a good job of park upkeep. However, the walking paths in certain areas could use some attention. Older adults, he said, need a smooth surface, and often the paths have cracks or bumps that would make the use of a walker or a wheelchair difficult. Moreover, they present hazards that a person could trip over.
Another thing the survey looked at is the areas around youth playground equipment. Quite often, DeLong said, older adults will take on childcare responsibilities, and will want to take the children to a park. Parking, he said, therefore becomes very important. There should be parking places within close proximity to the playgrounds. He also said there should be walking paths to the equipment that are easy to use. And, he said, benches with arms would be helpful, as well.
The report goes into detail about why it is important to have age-friendly parks. Aside from being out in fresh air and sunshine, and the obvious fitness benefits of walking through a park, the activity can be a social event as well. That, DeLong said, can be of vital importance.
“And if you’re going there with people, you can talk and that also helps engage people. It helps, because one of the other big things about being an older adult is, sometimes you’re isolated so programs that can get people out, keep them mobile and flexible, are really good.”
DeLong said the report is not a set of demands, but rather something he hopes the city will keep in mind as it moves through the Park Improvement Plan.
“Northfield has a has a great park system. But you know things can always be better, and it’s been a while since it’s been looked at through older adult eyes.”
To read the Age-Friendly Northfield Park Audit, visit agefriendlynorthfield.com
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with David DeLong of Age Friendly Northfield can be heard here
Filing period set to begin next week
Rice County is reminding the rural communities that the filing period for seats on the various county townships’ Boards of Supervisors will
open on Tuesday, Jan. 3, one week from today, and will run through Tuesday, Jan. 17.
At least one seat will be on the ballot in thirteen of the 14 county township boards. Those in Bridgewater Township will vote on two of the board’s five supervisor seats.
The treasurer’s seat will be voted on in all but one township. In Forest Township, the treasurer is an appointed position, and not an elected one.
Candidates must file with the town clerk, who should be contacted to learn when and where they are accepting affidavits for candidacy. Filing offices may be closed on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, which is Monday, January 16, but must be open from 1-5 pm on the last day of filing, which will be Tuesday, Jan. 17.
In addition to completing an affidavit for candidacy, candidates must pay a $2 filing fee.
Township elections will be held Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Correction: This story has been changed. Both Kathleen Kopseng and Thomas Hart do intend to run for re-election in Bridgewater Township.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
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