City of Litchfield Discusses Some Major Projects

The City of Litchfield has some major projects on the horizon and the Litchfield City Council meeting on Monday evening was devoted to discussion about several of them. Updates to the wastewater treatment plant will require millions of dollars.

Mayor Ron Dingmann says the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has more stringent limits on phosphorus, nitrogen and other elements, combined with the expansion at First District Association and maintenance updates that will require millions of dollars in facility improvements. He says a facility plan needs to be approved in order to qualify for Public Finance Authority funding, and Paul Saffert from Bolton & Menk presented some plan options for the Council to consider on Monday night.

Mayor Dingmann says they have experts working on a solution to the wastewater issue. He says the MPCA also notified the City that it can’t store its salt outside, so the construction of a salt storage facility will be considered at the next meeting which will cost at least $350,000.

Mayor Dingmann says the Council has approved of a project to refurbish the Library building with stucco replacement and repairs to the roof, windows, masonry and the electrical system with a bid of $365,000 which was under the estimate of $512,000 and American Rescue Plan funds will be used for that project. He says the Council also approved of bids Monday evening for electric and water meters.