At this hour, the Rice County Board of Commissioners is considering a motion allowing the Milestone-Mathy Pit Mine to reopen after having been dormant for many years, in order to facilitate the repair and reconstruction of Trunk Highway 246.
The pit mine was originally dug in the late 1940’s, according to Rice County Commissioner Galen Malecha, and was used to build Highway 246. Malecha said the pit has not been used in decades.
Residents of the area have expressed strong concerns about the reopening of the pit. According to Milestone-Mathy, at its peak, there will be some 400 truck trips everyday between the mine through Dennison to the construction site. The mine is just North of Nerstrand, and the dust from the mining of gravel is a strong concern both there and in Dennison.
Commissioner Malecha said there are many environmental concerns regarding the mine.
“People in that area have some real concerns. We have Prairie Creek that I believe runs just to the South side of the pit. And there’s an Eagles nest in the area. And the further you keep digging down, the closer you get to the water table. So, there are a lot of environmental concerns.”
Proponents of the mine say its close proximity to the 246 construction could save a substantial amount of money on construction costs over the next two years.
However, concerns have also been raised about an expansion of the pit mine, which would include an asphalt plant, that would be very close to the Prairie Creek Wildlife Management Area.
The plan was passed last month by the Rice County Planning Commission over the objections of locals who are asking for an environmental impact study on the mine before it reopens.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Rice County Commissioner Galen Malecha can be heard here
Third Thursdays ‘evolving,’ will add ‘The Show on the Square’
Moving into late Spring means warmer temperatures which always brings more community events. The Third Thursdays Downtown events, sponsored by the Friends of Downtown Northfield and the Riverwalk Market Fair, will resume this week with a host of vendors from the Saturday Riverwalk Market Fair, along with live music and programming, a craft beverage area, and specials offered by many downtown businesses.
Derek Meyers, who is the new manager of the Riverwalk Market Fair, said this month there will be about twenty of the Market Fair vendors set up in the 400 block of Division Street, between 4th and 5th Streets. The craft beverage area will be operated this month by Chapel Brewing, but will offer Keepsake Cider, a cocktail created by Loon Liquors and beer from Imminent Brewing, Tanzenwald Brewing, and, of course, their own Chapel beer as well.
Meyers said the vendors will be set up in the streets, but some of the existing businesses on Division Street are getting into the mix as well this year.
“We have vendors in the street from the Market Fair, but there will also be brick and mortar businesses out on the street as well. Hideaway and Robins Egg and Ravens Nest and Nautical Bowls have all decided to come out into the street and provide food, something new, something unique.”
Kathleen Holmes, the former President of the Friends of Downtown Northfield, was instrumental in the creation of Third Thursdays Downtown, said the first round of the event last summer was a big success, but that doesn’t mean there hasn’t been room for improvement and expansion. This year, the events will have more programming on Bridge Square that should be a fun attraction for kids and adults alike.
“This is our second year and we’ve evolved. We still have the bands downtown, we have a full market, and we’re excited for everything that brings, but then we’ve also added some more programming. We’ll call it the Shows on the Square. This month we have the first responder vehicles, and in the coming months we’ll have other vehicles and car shows so the kids can walk around, people can walk around and see things.”
This month, the live music will be provided by Free Ranger, a blues artist from Kenyon, and the Roe Family Singers, an extremely popular old-time folk band from the Twin Cities. The Bridge Square programming this month will be first responder and emergency vehicles, as well as a presentation made by Believet, an organization that trains and offers service dogs for military veterans.
Third Thursdays will run, obviously, each third Thursday of the month beginning this Thursday, through August, from 5pm-8pm. For more information visit riverwalkmarketfair.org.
Council will discuss Board & Commission governance, Comprehensive Plan tonight
And the Northfield City Council will meet for a work session tonight in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
Tonight, the Council will discuss an amendment to the Northfield Police Department budget, they will receive an update on the new Comprehensive Plan being put together, they will receive an update on the Board & Commission Governance and Effectiveness Review, and they will review some updated City Council policies.
As always, the City Council and the Northfield City Staff are eager to hear the opinions of the public on any matter, whether the subject is on the Council agenda or not. The meeting tonight is a work session, so the Council will not hear from the public. However, those who do wish to make a point, air an opinion or ask a question can email their councilor directly or make use of the eComment function which can be found in the “Agendas” section of the city website.
The meeting will begin tonight at 6pm.
KYMN Daily News 5/14/23
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
