The $1.5 billion bonding bill passed by the Minnesota House of Representatives on Monday night includes just over $8 million to help the 
City of Northfield construct its section of the Mill Towns Trail.
Northfield Mayor Rhonda Pownell and City Administrator Ben Martig have been very clear that funding the project would be the city’s top legislative priority this year. Mayor Pownell made a presentation to the bonding committee when they visited Northfield in November of 2021 about the environmental and economic impact that completion of the trail would bring. Martig has said with street construction projects for Wall Street Road and Jefferson Parkway scheduled soon, time was of the essence to secure the funding necessary to build the trail along those roads.
The $11.7 million project would build the six-and-a-half-mile section of the bicycle trail running from the Waterford Iron Bridge through Northfield, down Jefferson Parkway and connect with Dundas. The city would pay approximately $3.5 million, while the remaining $8.2 million would come from the state.
The trail, which, when complete, would connect Faribault to Cannon Falls over 25 miles of bicycle trail, has been in the planning process for more than two decades. A section of the trail that runs between Dundas and Northfield was built more than 20 years ago, but little has been done to complete the trail since then.
Representative Kristi Pursell (D-Northfield) voted for the bill and helped to ensure the money for the trail, which was not included in Governor Walz’s bonding proposal, made it into the House bill.
“The Mill Towns Trail will be a fantastic addition to our region, and I am so glad it was included in the bonding bill. This project has been a part of Northfield’s climate action plan and will provide a non-motorized city corridor that makes our communities more environmentally friendly and a better place to visit, live, and raise a family. I am excited to use the trail with my kids and I look forward to all the visitors who will be able to ride from Mankato to Red Wing and may even stop in Northfield along the way once it is complete.”
The bill must now pass through the Minnesota Senate, which will be difficult. Bonding bills require a super-majority to pass, and Senate Republicans have indicated they will not support a bonding bill of any kind unless the Democratic majority also agrees to, and passes, tax relief in the current session.
District will host open house meetings on March 16th and March 23rd
The Northfield School District is hosting two open house style meetings for the public to talk with members of the school board and the 
administration about the district’s next round of cuts being made to the budget.
This is the second year in a row that the district has found itself making budget cuts. Last year, the board cut $4.5 million from the budget, and Northfield Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matt Hillmann said further cuts are now needed. When the cuts were made in 2022, the district convened a sixty-member district task force from the general public to help the district prioritize the things that should stay and what they saw as expendable.
There will be no task force this year. Instead, the open house meetings will allow anyone who is interested to make comments, ask questions and give opinions on the matter.
About 70% of the school district’s funding comes from the state, and the amount it receives is based on the number of students who attend school within the district. For the last three years, the district has seen declining enrollment, and that trend is expected to continue for another seven years.
Hillmann has also pointed to what he calls “chronic underfunding” of public education by the Minnesota Legislature as another reason the budget is being cut.
Approximately $2.5 million will be cut from the budget for next year. Among the options are a reduction in full-time employees at Northfield High School and the elementary schools, discontinuing the Portage program, going to a six period, instead of a seven-period day at the Northfield Middle School, elimination of most Middle School activities and discontinuing the after-school activity bus. The board is also considering an option for charging those who live within two miles of the school for transportation.
Hillmann said the upcoming meetings will be structured to ensure that everyone who wants to give the district their feedback will be able to do so.
“There will be an opportunity to hear a presentation, and then to actually break into small groups with representatives of the board and representatives of the administration. So, if you’re not comfortable speaking in front of a big group, you can talk in a smaller group about your feelings, and then you can come back to the auditorium for a more traditional public comment style opportunity.”
The first meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 16th at the Northfield Middle School from 6pm-8pm, although Dr. Hillmann said 8:30 is more likely. The second meeting is set for the following week on Thursday, March 23rd.
For more information, including a full breakdown of the proposed cuts to the budget, click here.
Godwin album release show set for Friday
And the Northfield Public Library is inviting the public to an album release by local singer/songwriter Tim Goodwin. 
Goodwin’s musical roots are in folk and Americana. His new album, “Together,” will be released later this month on various digital outlets as well as on CD.
This free event is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board thanks to legislative appropriation from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
Godwin’s concert is set for Friday at 12:00 noon in the atrium of the Northfield Public Library. For more information visit the library website at mynpl.org.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
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