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Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Number 13 • Volume 134
Avon business owners, residents sound off about sewer, water rates
ATKINSON TO TALK ABOUT SPACE MISSIONS BOOK AT MELROSE LIBRARY
Increase is focus of nearly hour-long Melrose researching policing options ... pg. 3 Hiltner happy to carry on legacy ... pg. 7 public forum discussion ‘A Team’ has first baby boy in 2017 ... pg. 16 BY TIM HENNAGIR | STAFF WRITER
Many city councils devote an early portion of their meetings to public comment The mayor recognizes the public and lets them sound off about controversial issues. Earlier this month, Avon Mayor Jeff Manthe allowed almost an hour of public forum time for a single topic. He let property and business owners vent their frustrations regarding a water and sewer rate hike. The March 6 council meeting included exclusive time devoted to a deep review of both utility fees. The sometimes heated discussion included a rate study recap and history of the wastewater plant. In February, council members based a rate increase on information from a study prepared last fall. The Minnesota Rural Water Association calculated rates needed to run the funds at break-even. City administrator and clerk Jodi Austing-Traut reported a $175,000 sewer fund deficit. The council voted 4-1 to change water and sewer rates, the first hike in four years. Councilor Mark Schulzetenberge voted against the 37 cents per 1,000 gallons water increase and $2.29 per 1,000 gallons sewer rate increase. That decision prompted residents to fill the council chambers at the March meeting. Eric Linn, owner of Suncrest Apartments, the first to speak, didn’t waste time in forcefully expressing his concerns. “When you boil the numbers down, it’s not acceptable. The sewer fund deficit is concerning,” Linn said. “I have four retired people in my building. It’s time for the city to take a hard look at the budget. Every dollar counts for a retired person.”
400 Block update
Huskies boys hoops capture COMMUNITY COVERAGE 127 YEARS
first state title PHOTO BY TOM FENTON
The 2022-23 Albany Area boys basketball team – Jake Lauer (front, from left), Tate Richter, Andrew Olson, Tanner Reis, Hunter Hamann, Carter Voss, Jack Rieland and Connor Finkelson; (middle, from left) manager Taylor Moritz, Trent Imholte, Mason Bierbaum, Ethan Borgerding, Tysen Gerads, Zeke Austin, Ben Meyer, Ethan Meyer and assistant coach Jacob Boone; (back, from left) head coach Cory Schlagel, manager Kayla Meyer, assistant coach Grant Johnson, Tyler Hoffarth, Elliott Burnett, Jaydon Schaefer, Sam Hondl, Caleb Abraham, Grant Wohletz and Devon Schaefer – celebrate its Class AA state championship win March 25 at Target Center in Minneapolis. The Huskies took down Pequot Lakes, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton and Minnehaha Academy to win the Minnesota State High School League Class AA Boys Basketball State Tournament. PHOTO BY EVAN MICHEALSON
(Top) The Albany Huskies student section goes wild during the Minnesota State High School League Class AA Boys Basketball State Tournament championship March 25 at Target Center in Minneapolis. Albany’s energetic group of supporters witnessed history, as the Huskies locked up its first boys basketball state title.
State champions page 1B
Ratesto page As the sun was starting rise 3Monday, Commercial Contractors Company workers from Melrose were inside the Lisa’s On Main building working on securing the west wall. PHOTO BY CAROL MOORMAN
Crafting connections
Holdingford School Board receives legislative update
New proposals could affect school districts BY MIKE KOSIK | STAFF WRITER
The Holdingford School Board learned about bills being discussed by the Minnesota Legislature that could have a big impact on school districts. Business manager Garrity Gerber told the board, during its March 15 meeting at Holdingford Public School in Holdingford, that he attended the March 15 Capital Day. Gerber said the Minnesota School Boards Association came up with a cost analysis of several new proposals that could cost school districts a lot of money. Free meals for all students has passed, but the legislature still needs to work out the funding. Gerber said he is working on getting insurance bids for buildings, workers’ comp, liability and cyber. He is also working on the revised budget for this year and beginning to work on the budget for the next school year. In line with preparing for the next budget, the board approved a resolution directing administration to make a recommendation for reductions. This is an initial step school districts take each year in working toward a final budget. In other board news: – Elementary principal Jim Stang, during his report, said the Targeted Services program has been approved and will start inviting students to participate. Targeted Services is the district’s summer school program for kindergarten through eighth grade. Students who meet certain criteria are invited to participate. The program runs Monday through Friday, July 1025, for 15 days. Stang said kindergarten roundup is being done virtually, but families are welcome to take a tour. They are encouraged to call the elementary school office and reserve a time. Mathnasium Night is March 25 and Grandparents Day is May 12.
School board page 3
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Melrose family members continue matriarch’s lead BY CAROL MOORMAN STAFF WRITER
L
arry and Sheila Moore’s Birch Lake garage isn’t filled with vehicles; it’s filled with woodworking machines and tools. Walking around the garage north of Melrose March 23, Larry rattles off the names of machines he is proficient at using. In their living room is a clothes rack where macramé knot planter hangers hang, tied by Sheila. On their kitchen table are colorful mug rugs and plate or pot pads, crocheted by Larry’s sister Millie Durheim. Crafting is a way of life for the Moores and Mille and husband Norm of Melrose. While March is National Craft Month, they craft all year around. Up to four times a week – when the weather is good – the Durheims drive eight miles to the woodworking shop to work on crafts – but not after having a cup of
PHOTO BY CAROL MOORMAN
Sheila Moore (front, from left) and Millie Durheim and (back, from left) Larry Moore and Norm Durheim display macramé, crocheted and woodworking items they make March 23 in the Moore’s Birch Lake home. During the winter they build their supply of craft items which they sell at craft sales and farmers markets.
coffee and playing a game of cards. “And I make supper,” Sheila said. Millie and Larry received their crafting passion from their mother, Oriel “Pearl” Moore. “Mom did a lot of crafts, and when we lived in San Antonio, she had a flower
shop,” Millie said. “Flowers were mostly real back then, but she also made rice flowers. I helped roll up the rice paper and make it into flowers.” The Moore matriarch also made corsages. “All of us kids went door to door selling them,” Larry said.
Larry was around 13 when the family moved to Melrose, where their dad, Don, was the Melrose chief of police. Pearl, who also did oil paintings, continued her plaster craft in the basement of their Second Street home.
Crafting page 3
PUBLIC NOTICES Mortgage Foreclosure ................................................pg. 7 Holding Township Notice.............................................pg. 8 WCED 2023 Remodel Advertisement for Bids ..............pg. 7 City of Melrose Advertisement for Bids........................pg. 7 Avon Township Notice of Advertisement of Bids..........pg. 8 City of Albany Planning Commission Public Hearing ...pg. 8 Holdingford School Board Briefs..................................pg. 7 Krain Township Property Assessments ........................pg. 8 City of Melrose Property Assessments .........................pg. 8
City of Melrose Vacation of Easements public hearing ..........................................................pg. 8 Avon Township Property Assessments ........................pg. 8 Stearns county Board of Adjustment Public Hearing ...pg. 7 Probate Notice - Oreel .................................................pg. 8 Probate Notice - Prodinsky ..........................................pg. 8 Rose view Manor Notices ............................................pg. 8 Albany Township Property Assessments .....................pg. 8
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