The Litchfield City Council has set a public hearing for its August 5th meeting to consider the annexation of lots on West Ripley Street. The lots were purchased by Litchfield Building Center last year.
Litchfield Mayor Ron Dingmann says the first reading of the annexation ordinance will be held at the August 5th meeting. He says the Litchfield Area Community Foundation acquired a popcorn stand from the Granite Falls Kiwanis Club and the Council gave them permission to set it up in Central Park at the corner of 3rd Street and Sibley Avenue to raise additional funds for the LACF, and other non-profit groups who operate it will be able to raise funds as well.
Mayor Dingmann says the Council approved the first two bids for the Litchfield Area Recreation Center including the shell of the building – from Nor-Son Construction of $2,152,000, and for concrete from Ebert, Inc. for $793,300. He says both bids came in under budget and ground is expected to be broken this fall with completion of the project in the fall of 2025.
Mayor Dingmann says the Council had more discussion on Monday evening about the wastewater issue and city officials are working on getting an extension for the July 22nd compliance deadline with MPCA. He says a productive meeting was held on July 8th between state, city and First District representatives.
Mayor Dingmann says the Council also talked about the safety issues related to scooters that have been buzzing around town – mainly in the Lake Ripley and downtown areas and the matter will be referred to the police department for solutions. He says the Council preceded Monday’s meeting with a work session to further discuss the organizational review.
The Meeker County Board of Commissioners heard the annual highway report from Public Works Director Phil Schmalz. Phil also presented the 5-year highway construction plan which the Board approved.
The Board approved of a bid for replacing bridge #47519 in Manannah Township from Redstone Construction of Mora for an estimated total of $1,340,259 – and approved of the Local Bridge Replacement Program grant agreement which will help lessen the cost burden for Manannah Township for the bridge replacement project. Schmalz says nearly $900,000 in town bridge funds have been dedicated to the bridge – which will span 592nd Avenue – and the grant would provide nearly $600,000 for the project which will total about 1-point-5-million dollars with construction and engineering costs.
The Commissioners also approved of the per mile township road maintenance fee for 2026 which will be set at $950. The Board approved of a service agreement with Criterion for utilizing applicant tracking software. Human Resources Coordinator Mikkell Johnson says the cost for 2024 is $1,950 and the annual cost is $3,646. The Commissioners approved of the updated Meeker County personnel policies. A resolution was approved on a 4-to-1 vote – with Julie Bredeson opposed – adopting the Meeker County Board protocol and public participation policies.
The Commissioners approved of sending a letter to the Veterans Administration encouraging it to amend its policies regarding the signing of death certificates – accelerating the process as delays in the process put a strain on the families of deceased veterans. The Board approved of Juvenile Liaison Deputy Roger Muffley attending a free training workshop in Wisconsin on August 8th. A quote of $174,824.47 was approved from Motorola for 911 call handling software.
A conditional use permit was approved for the Tapper Landscaping project at 32349 748th Avenue South of South Haven in Section 12 of Kingston Township in the Lake Francis Shoreland District. A conditional use permit was approved for Terry Dean for two wind turbines at 55895 110th Street in Section 36 of Cosmos Township. A conditional use permit was approved for NexGen Dairy for an anaerobic digester at 39679 592nd Avenue in Section 4 of Manannah Township. An interim use permit was approved for a second dwelling for a blood relative for Louis & Jeanette Fallon at 67600 180th Street in Section 23 of Ellsworth Township.
New royalty was crowned in Litchfield this past weekend during the 68th annual Watercade celebration. The new royal court will appear in their first parade this weekend – Saturday morning at 11 a.m. at New London’s Water Days parade.
Adeline “Addie” Lundin, daughter of Daryl & Erin Lundin is the new Miss Litchfield and is sponsored by Jomas Hill Vineyard & Winery. Addie says the candidates had private interviews with the judges over the weekend and were asked who was their biggest hero, how they would support Litchfield, if crowned, and what celebrity would they eat with – dead or alive. She says she had a fishbowl question at the coronation about the best advice she’s been given.
Lundin says all of the candidates were asked about a growth opportunity for Litchfield and she is hoping the community will host a pickle ball tournament. She says she will be attending North Dakota State University this fall to pursue a degree in nursing.
The new princesses are Maya Wuotila, daughter of Duane & Wendy Wuotila – sponsored by Wuotila Lawn Care; and Kate Brekke, daughter of Jamie & Teresa Brekke – sponsored by Danner, Brekke & Everts Insurance and the Medicare Duo. Brekke says she would like to see more events for young people in our community. She says she received a fishbowl question about what characteristics Miss Litchfield should possess.
Brekke says the judges asked the candidates about how they would handle challenges. She says she’s excited to spend time this coming year with Addie and Maya, especially as Maya is her cousin. Maya Wuotila says the judges also asked them individually about how they are different from the other candidates. She says she wishes there were more volunteer opportunities for people in the community, and she received a fishbowl question about the characteristics that make a good leader.
Matylda Niedzielski – daughter of Mike & Courtney Niedzielski, and Hadley Beam – daughter of Laura Beach and Ryan Beam – were crowned as Junior Ambassadors. They said they also had to answer questions on stage during their pageant on Saturday in Central Park.
Hadley has been sponsored by First District Association and Matylda has been sponsored by Farm Bureau. They will both be going into the 4th grade – Hadley at St. Philip’s School and Matylda at Lake Ripley Elementary.