The District Would Coordinate Snow and Garbage Removal in Downtown Northfield
By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
proposed Special Services District for Downtown. The proposal would bring snow removal and garbage removal downtown into one joint contract, rather than building owners being responsible for each item. Then the buildings would be assessed a special fee for the services.
The proposal had been brought forward by the Friends of Downtown, who had led a petition effort for the project. With the petition accepted by the City Council, it activated the first steps for the resolution, including collecting more information and public input.
CC Linstroth of both Age Friendly and the Friends of Downtown stated that this proposal helped make sure that every sidewalk was cleared in a timely fashion:
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“But what we want to do is let you know that in the winter, we not only have the problem with the falling, but we also are the second highest state in the nation for people who die from fall-related injuries. And our older adults represent, that’s the people over 50, are representing 30% of our community. During the winter, we’re very excited about the idea of a uniform snow removal that will allow more and more people to go freely along the downtown streets.” – CC Linstroth of Age Friend Northfield & the Friends of Downtown at the 10/7/2025 City Council Meeting
While advocates for the proposal argue that the wholesale approach could help lower costs, citing data from other Special Services Districts, some building owners, like Chuck Pryer, noted that it would only be an increase in costs for him, since he always shovels his sidewalks:
“I’ve also got 300 feet of sidewalk, which at your rate of $4 to $6, I know that estimating is hard, I get that. But that’s $1,200 to $1,800 a year for me just for the sidewalk, not counting the parking.” – Chuck Pryer, Downtown Building Owner, at the 10/7/2025 City Council Meeting
Joan Spaulding requested that transparency be at the center of a new proposal and that building owners be aware of the costs of the district. She also noted that for the cost, the quality of the snow removal services needs to be sufficient:
“And so if we’re paying for the city to do it and to keep it good for the senior citizens and for everybody, it doesn’t have to be seniors. You’re going to have to be there doing it all the time, too. Otherwise, you’re putting it right back on the owners and it doesn’t make any sense.” – Joan Spaulding, Downtown Building Owner, at the 10/7/2025 City Council Meeting
Additional Information:
- FAQ Document from the Friends of Downtown Northfield – View here
- City Staff memo (10.7.2025) regarding the Special Services District – View here
- PowerPoint at the City Council Meeting – View here
The City Council took no action on the item and will vote on the proposal later in the fall. However, there was an opportunity for each council member to share their comments, with several expressing skepticism about the plan. Some of the concerns included the cost and duration of the district. Here’s Councilor Chad Beumer:
“I know it’s going to benefit some. I think it’s going to probably hurt more than it benefits.” – Chad Beumer, Northfield City Councilor at the 10/7/2025 City Council Meeting
Councilor Kathleen Holmes noted that this was an opportunity for both the council and the public to learn more and begin answering questions.
“And if it will help, and if it ends up that it’s way more expensive, then I don’t think we will vote for it. So I think, but we need, what we need to do is go through the process to be able to understand, to be able to get that information, to be able to talk to property owners, and to be able to see, okay, what might be possible?” – Kathleen Holmes, Northfield City Councilor, at the 10/7/2025 City Council Meeting
No action was taken by the City Council. We will keep you posted as more details become available.
Editor’s Note: Logan Wells is a member of the Board of Directors for the Friends of Downtown, which has advocated for the proposed Special Services District Downtown. He has recused himself from the Board’s Advocacy of the SSD.
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