Posted: 3/7/06
City to shut down two wells
By Jane Palen
Managing Editor
At the encouragement of the Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota Rural Water Association, the city has agreed to shut down two wells that formerly served the city.
At its meeting on February 27, the city agreed to accept a bid of $29,614 from Bergerson Caswell of Maple Plain. The bid was slightly higher than the bid of Thein Well Company for $27,330, but included a video log of both wells to determine what material could be used to fill a portion of the well. If washed sand can be used rather than cement, the city may realize greater savings, the council reasoned.
Well 4 has not been used for some time; well 5 is considered an emergency source of water. It is 405 ft. deep. Both are considered to be susceptible to groundwater contamination. It has not been used since 2001.
The cityís water is now pumped from Wells 6 and 7, which are each more than 700 ft. in depth, and carry a low risk of being contaminated.
The move to close the wells is part of a Wellhead Protection Plan Part I, which was reviewed at the meeting by Water/Wastewater Supervisor Tony Klug.
Recycling report
County Environmental Services Director Rick Frank updated the city council on the recycling program. Frank noted that electronic components are now banned from landfills, and must be taken to a specialized facility for recycling. In 2005, costs for ìe-wasteî totaled $20,623, representing almost 40 tons of material.
Frank told the council that fluorescent bulb collection is scheduled for April 8.
Dual employment policy considered
The council also reviewed a dual employment policy presented by City Clerk/Administrator Robert Nelson. The policy, if enacted, would require full-time employees to report any outside employment to the city to give the city an opportunity to determine whether a conflict of interest exists.
ìDo you really think people will be honest about all the places they are working?î asked council member Randi Vick.
The council agreed to get an opinion from the employees association before acting on the policy.
In other business, the council:
ï autorized DeWayne Schroeder to attend a Waterworks Operator School in Rochester;
ï reviewed information from Mike Gavin on his duties as animal control officer;
ï accepted a quote of $12,000 from PowerPlus Engineering for her AutoCAD mapping software;
ï read a letter of appreciation for the Caledonia Ambulance Service which came with a donation;
ï tabled discussion on a wage increase for the council.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com