Board of Commissioners will hear from the public and consider options for the Milestone-Mathy Mine; Habitat for Humanity of Rice County will host a “Starfish” Open House today; City council work session scheduled for this evening

This morning, the Rice County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing regarding the proposed reopening of the Milestone-Mathy Mine just outside of Nerstrand.

Last month, those worried about reopening the long-closed gravel pit scored a victory when the Rice County Board of Commissioners voted to extend the permitting process and schedule a public comment session.

During this meeting, the Board of Commissioners discussed the County Planning Commission’s recommendation to allow the Milestone-Mathy Pit to reopen after being inactive for many years, to facilitate the reconstruction and repair of national road 246.

The strip mine was dug in the late 1940s and was used to build Highway 246. It was closed and sat unused for decades.

Neighborhood residents express serious concerns about the reopening of the pit. According to the Milestone-Mathy permit application, at its peak, trucks hauling mining materials will make about 400 trips per day between the mine and the construction site on Highway 246, passing through Dennison. The mine is just north of Nerstrand, and dust from gravel mining is a major concern both there and at Dennison, as is noise from the mine. Perhaps the biggest concern is the possibility of an asphalt plant being built on land very close to the Prairie Creek Wildlife Management Area.

Proponents say the mine’s proximity to the Highway 246 construction site could save substantial amounts on construction costs over the next two years.

Residents are demanding an environmental impact study on the mine before it reopens. After the public hearing, which is expected to begin around 9 a.m., the Board will consider ordering an environmental assessment worksheet, which can be a precursor to a full environmental impact study. If the MAE is not adopted, the Council will then consider the request to grant the permit which would reopen the mine.

“Starfish” is a departure for Habitat for Humanity

Tonight, Rice County Habitat for Humanity is hosting an open house and ice cream social as a fundraiser for a new initiative called the Starfish House Project.

Bob Thacker and Karen Cherewatuk are the volunteer project coordinators with Rice County Habitat. The idea, they say, is to expand Habitat’s reach, from building new construction to renovating old, abandoned or crumbling homes, with the goal of providing affordable homeownership. affordable.

Thacker said one house had already been completed and sold as part of the project, and they were just beginning what he called “Starfish Two.”

The name Starfish, he said, comes from a fable that supports the idea of ​​helping families, one house at a time.

“Two brothers were walking by the ocean. The older brother was skipping stones and the younger brother was putting starfish back into the water. And the elder turned to the younger and said to him: “What are you doing? And the younger one said, “I’m saving the starfish.” The older one laughed and said, “You can’t tell the difference. The shore is covered with hundreds of starfish. You can’t tell the difference. And the little brother picked up a starfish and put it in the water and said, “Well, I made a difference on that one.”

Thacker and Cherewatuk became involved in the project when they saw the housing crisis was almost out of control. Knowing that every house in Northfield needed to be made available, they embarked on a project after finding an abandoned house, calling on dozens of volunteers to help. Keith Pumper donated plumbing supplies and labor. Guth Electric installed what Cherewatuk called “miles” of wiring in the house. They called the project “a dumpster diver’s dream,” with an abundance of recycled materials coming into the home, mostly purchased through Habitat’s ReStore. In total, Thacker said, it took more than 2,500 volunteer hours to restore the house, which has now been sold to a family.

The dream of affordable homeownership is the driving force behind the program, Cherewatuk said. The main goal of Habitat for Humanity has always been to help restore some dignity and confidence to people who have fallen on hard times. Starfish Homes, she said, does just that.

“Habitat wants to provide affordable homeownership opportunities because homeownership comes with a certain sense of stability that families sometimes don’t have in rental housing. And what we’ve seen in Habitat is a big improvement in educational health outcomes. So we really want to attract more families interested in affordable property.

And of course, once Starfish Two is finished, they will search for Starfish Three, Four and so on. Cherewatuk said anyone interested in selling a home to Habitat for a reasonable price should contact them through their website at habitatricecounty.org.

The open house will be held at the Starfish Two house at 2007 Hidden Valley Road, from 5 to 7 p.m. this evening. Everyone is welcome.

Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Bob Thacker and Karen Cherewatuk of Rice County Habitat for Humanity can be heard here

Council prepares for budget discussions

And the Northfield City Council will meet for a work session tonight in the council chambers at City Hall.

Most of the items on tonight’s agenda appear to be preparatory work for upcoming budget meetings. Council will hear a presentation on the city’s comprehensive annual financial report for 2023, review and discuss the five-year capital improvement plan as well as the five-year capital plan. There will also be a discussion of the factory and overlay projects planned for 2025, as well as the Wall Street Road improvement project.

As always, the Northfield City Council and city staff are eager to hear the public’s thoughts on any issue, whether the topic is on the council’s agenda or not. Tonight’s meeting is a work session, so Council will not hear from the public. However, those who wish to make a point, express an opinion or ask a question can email their councilor directly or use the eComment feature found in the “Agendas” section of the city’s website.

The meeting will begin this evening at 6 p.m.

KYMN Daily News 06/11/24

Rich Larson is KYMN’s news director. Contact him at [email protected]