|
Smoke in your eyes? City to take a look at wood-burning units
|
|
|
By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
The Caledonia City Council will be taking a look at what other cities in the state are doing when it comes to outside wood-burning units used to heat homes and/or water. The council spent about 15 minutes discussing the issue during the May 12 meeting.
During the cold winter months, when windows are shut, there doesn’t seem to be much of a problem with the smoke emitted by the burners. But during the spring and fall months, when persons have their windows open, or are enjoying their yards and patios, the smoke can become a nuisance.
“We’ve also received some complaints from people about outside firepits,” City Administrator Bob Nelson said. “Currently, we do not have an ordinance in place that deals with wood burners, although we do for recreational fires and firepits.”
Councilmembers agreed that the wood smoke can be a nuisance at certain times of the year. Nelson was instructed to contact the League of Minnesota Cities to find out how other communities are dealing with the issue.
Battle of the bands
Elsie Vesterse, of Elsie’s Bar and Grill, discussed the possibility of have a battle of the bands event, to be held at various times this summer. She was hoping to have one per month, on a Saturday from 2 to 11 p.m. in the parking lot just east of her establishment in downtown Caledonia.
Councilmembers voiced some concern about the amount of noise, how the parking lot would be policed, and underage drinking.
Vesterse said being directly across the street from the city police department had quite an impact on persons attempting to break alcohol consumption laws.
“When you’re that close to the police office, that is quite a deterrent,” she said. She added that her staff would police the area and was hoping to have some non-profit organization, like the summer rec department serving food, as a fundraiser.
The council approved a motion to allow for a trial run in June, but the hours would be from 2 to 10 p.m. They also approved to have alcohol served outside, but noted if there were any problems, this would be the first and last battle of the bands.
Variance approved
The council approved two setback variances for Gary Koel, 614 East Lincoln Street. Koel proposed to construct a 68 foot long home, a portion which would be 18 feet wide, and a portion that would be 24 feet wide.
The new house would be 20 feet from the north property line and 10 feet from the west property line.
Notices were sent out to adjoining property owners and no one spoke out against Koel’s plans.
The variance requests were unanimously approved.
Pool hours to change
After reviewing the hours the city’s municipal swimming pool had been open in recent years, the council decided to make some changes.
The new hours for open swimming will be from 1 to 5 p.m. and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The city will try the new hours during the month of June. If all goes well, those will be the hours for the rest of the summer.
To make things easier for persons with daycare centers, punch cards will be available with 10 or 20 entries.
Due to the lack of interest, the adult swim will not be offered this summer. Many nights only one or two persons would show up for the adult swim.
Pool hours during the week of the Houston County Fair will be curbed back. Open swim will only be offered from 1 to 5 p.m. during fair week.
Summer rec action
Umpires and coaches for the summer rec ball program were hired and salaries set.
Umpires for the 2008 season will be Katy Tweeten, Libby Augedahl, Isaac Schiltz, Phillip Schulze, and Zach Gran. The rate of pay for umpires will be $12 per game for 10 and under and 12 and under and $15 per game for 14 and under and older players.
Kody Moore and Sara Kasten were hired as coaches for the girls softball teams.
The council recommended that all coaches will have to wear an official summer rec T-shirt with the city’s logo and the word “coach” on it to identify the coaches.
Electric department computer
In order to connect the electric department’s new laptop computer with the city’s server and internet system, additional software was required.
The council approved the purchase of the software, the installation costs and the subscription fees to connect everything to the internet. The grand total to facilitate the computer operation was estimated not to exceed $2,150.
Schmitz to retire
Roger Schmitz, who has worked for the city since 1978, announced that he will be retiring in October. The council approved the advertising of the open position.
You can contact Charlie Warner at
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
These burners can also be TERRIBLE during the winter months!!! In fact, the STRONG smell emitted from them takes your breath away and makes you almost choke when you are outside! And when your neighbor down the street has one of these devices, you CAN smell it while sitting in your own home. These devices should not be allowed in the city, PERIOD.
“We’ve also received some complaints from people about outside firepits,” City Administrator Bob Nelson said. “Currently, we do not have an ordinance in place that deals with wood burners, although we do for recreational fires and firepits.”
Recreational fire units need to have stricter rules. There are people in town who burn their garbage, old furniture, leaves, sticks, etc. etc. in them. The burning flames have reached as high as the homes they are burning next to. AND rules must be in place how close to someone elses property you can use a recreational firepit. It is not fair to neighbors who have to deal with the danger of tall fires next to their home as well as the ashes and soot that gets all over the next door house and windows. And don't bother calling the local police about it as they either won't show up to investigate OR they will tell you that it is in an enclosed unit and they are not breaking the law. Well, what IF everyone chose to burn their garbage instead of buying the expensive bags to put garbage out on the curb??????