On Tuesday night, the Northfield City Council voted to accept a plan that would authorize the city to purchase the Ames Mill Dam from Post Consumer Brands, remove it, and install a long rock rapids area on the Cannon River.
The purpose of the dam removal comes from several different factors. The city’s Riverfront Activation task force included a recommendation to create more recreational opportunities along the river, which would require the dam’s removal. There are also environmental concerns. The Cannon River has been labeled “impaired for wildlife” and the dam is seen as a major contributor to the problem. Northfield Mayor Rhonda Pownell said that is the primary reason the city is considering the project.
“So, it expands the area and would improve the ecological health of the river. That’s primarily one of the reasons why we’ve been looking at this. It’s not simply just for recreational opportunities, although that is an added benefit. The ecological health is really what we’re interested in.”
The Council heard a presentation from Joel Waln of Barr Engineering, walking them through the feasibility study his firm had carried out. Options had been evaluated, he said, conversations had been held with stakeholders, and costs had been estimated.
Waln said his firm had met with several people and organizations over the past few months, including officials with Post, and the organization would be in favor of selling the dam to the city, as they see it as a liability. He said in their conversations with the general public, only two people they spoke with wanted to see the dam remain, due to its historic significance.
The recommendation after the dam is removed is to build a long rock rapids area through that section of the river in order to facilitate the drop in elevation. A project like this is estimated to cost between $5 million and $10 million, and he said there are grants available from several different agencies including the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the US Fish and Wildlife Service that could cover significant portions of the project costs.
Moving into Phase Two of the project, he said, means negotiating a purchase with Post, and beginning the search for funding options.
The council voted unanimously to accept the recommendation.
Holiday decorating in public cause for safety concerns
With Thanksgiving now past, it is officially the Christmas Holiday Season. People will be decorating their homes, offices, places of worship and gathering spaces in a festive manner to celebrate the time of the year, and Northfield Area Fire and Rescue Service Chief Tom Nelson is hoping that it will be done in a safe manner.
Nelson said this is the time of year when his fire concerns move indoors. While the vast majority of house fires begin in the kitchen, he said at this time of year houses can be “over-decorated” with trees, garland, candles, lights, and other things that he said constitute the equivalent of clutter.
Even greater is the risk of the same type of decorating in more public spaces like nursing homes, schools and churches. The Minnesota State Fire Code has very strict and explicit requirements for holiday decorating in public areas and where certain decorations are allowed. Anyone putting up holiday trees and lights in a school, an office building, multi-family townhomes, a hospital and more, should refer to “Trees and Decorative Vegetation” guide that is posted on the State Fire Marshal website.
“What I point out to people to is the information on the state fire Marshall’s website. It shows what is safe for these facilities, and what is allowed. We’re not talking about homes here, we’re talking about things like schools, places of worship, and places of assembly. People need to look and think ‘Ohh. You know, should we really have a natural tree in here, and if we do, and can it have lights?’”
Chief Nelson also suggested that this is a good time of year to think about smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers. Where a person keeps their fire extinguisher, he said, can be the difference between a fire damaged kitchen and a destroyed home. It is imperative that people have a fire extinguisher, and that it be in the right place.
“You don’t want to put your fire extinguisher in a place where it’s right in the line of the most fire causing appliance. So don’t, for example, attach it right next to the stove. Because, in those moments, you want things to be easy. When a fire happens, it’s the fight or flight debate, right? Am I going to bail or am I going to attack the fire? So, choose the location of the fire extinguisher in a place that is on your way out of the building. If its handy, then maybe you think ‘Oh, I can deal with this.’”
He suggested, as visits are paid to family members this season, particularly elderly parents, that an examination of the house might be in order. Look for the fire extinguishers. Check the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to see that they are in working condition and are not at the end of their lifespan. Perhaps a good gift for the mom who has everything, he said, is a total replacement of all of her old and expiring fire prevention equipment.
More than anything, he said, it is important that people have a plan in their home in case of a fire, and they be thoughtful about how they celebrate this holiday season.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Northfield Area Fire Chief Tom Nelson Can be heard here
Options for indoor exercise
As colder temperatures are finally arriving in Minnesota, it is the time of year when many people, particularly seniors, will start to look for indoor options to maintain a degree of physical fitness and physical activity.
CC Linstroth said Age-Friendly Northfield has worked to ensure that there are options available to Northfielders of every age so they can continue to get some exercise and not have to endure what will eventually be harsh conditions.
The Northfield School District has opened the high school to the public on school days from 6am-7am and from 3pm-5pm, so community members may walk its hallways. Linstroth said three laps around the sprawling complex is one mile, and it is an invigorating experience just to be there.
“The art, the music and just the buzz of the school is great. And in addition to the physical activities, there’s socializing. You can’t walk these laps without numerous people smiling at you and saying ‘Hi.’”
Linstroth said the United Methodist Church is also open for walking on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The school district also offers the opportunity for people to play Pickleball on Sundays, free of charge, at both Bridgewater Elementary School and Northfield High School. The game continues to grow in popularity, and Linstroth said, for those who have not given it a try, now is the time.
“At Bridgewater, you will usually find volunteers to help beginners, but all ages are welcome, and all levels are welcome at both locations. So, think about all those relatives you have in town for Thanksgiving. By Sunday you’re going to be ready for some pickleball.”
For more information on all free exercise options in Northfield, visit agefriendlynorthfield.com.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with CC Linstroth of Age Friendly Northfield can be heard here
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
