Continuing on from last week, we bring you a review of some of what’s happening in South Washington County and its many different communities.

Afton

Meeting in a special work session March 9, the City of Afton, Minnesota is due to consider many items, while the reason for special status is worthy of mention.

“This meeting is being posted as a Special Council meeting because Council member Stan Ross will be participating remotely from the following location,” the website says, then giving an address in Gold Canyon, Arizona. Posted among city business for the March 9 meeting are the following items: Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for Legal and Engineering Services RFPs related to Planning Services Election Wards Redistricting following the 2020 census An internet service proposal “for four underserved areas” An update related to the Ag Preservation Committee An update on City Dock Dredging Zoning Violation updates, and City Administrator updates With Zoom meeting details and link to join at https:// www.ci.afton.mn.us, the reach of modern technology, can be amazing.

Cottage Grove

Kicking off the week of March 6 with a Medallion Hunt starting March 7, the medallion was found by Greg and Diane Thielen at Pine Tree Pond park.

Meanwhile also on tap in Cottage Grove this Lenten season are Friday night fish Frys The Eagles Bar and Grill on the city-owned River Oaks Golf Course. Reservations or takeout orders can be made by going to river oaks munigolf.com. Looking past Spring renewal season to the summer meanwhile, Cottage Grove is hiring for season job opportunities. Both part-time and full-time with duration of three to six months, openings include those for playground leaders, ice arena building supervisor, recreation and ice arena office assistant, streets, Parks, and Utilities positions, and golf course staff openings.Applicants must be at least 18 years old and can find more information by email city clerk Joe Fischbach at [email protected] cottagegrovemn. gov with any questions they might have.

Denmark township

Coming in for notice the week of March 6 in Denmark township is a regular town board meeting for March 7, with township meetings held the first Monday of the month at 7 p.m.

Among consent agenda item for the regular monthly town meeting are the minutes of the February 7 board meeting, “Claims for Approval,” Electronic Fund Transfers (EFT) to PERA along with Minnesota and Federal tax deposits, payroll ending March 1, and financial reports With nothing listed for hearing decision and zoning actions, public comment follows, while business items include a lot line adjustment at 11877 Osprey Avenue South, arbitrage agreement with Ehlers, and designation of the polling place within the township.

Kicking off the night following is the Annual town meeting, with a recommendation to the board on a Gopher Bounty, currently set at $3.00, along with confirmation of the annual meeting site and time for next year.

In financial reports meanwhile, the macroeconomic picture shows 2021 revenues for Denmark of $4,666,384.59 with 2021 Expenditures of $3,132,307.44.

Finally for Denmark is the news of a Planning Commission meeting to be held March 21 at 7 p.m., along with the next regularly scheduled town board meeting for April 4.

Grey Cloud Island township

Marking March 1 as the first day of Women’s History Month, the calendar for Grey Cloud Township lists three pertinent meetings this month: Plan Commission on March 7, the annual town meeting March 8 at 7 p.m., and the town board meeting March 9 at 7 p.m., all three located at the local town hall.

Come March 13, meanwhile, it’s time to Spring Forward, as metro area residents in and outside Grey Cloud Island township will lose one full hour of sleep Saturday night. Yay for spring?

Newport

Affected by the prospective long range facilities plan is Newport Elementary, which would see itself turned into an early learning center with students split between Woodbury, Cottage Grove, and Bailey Elementary schools as far as attendance for ISD 833. The plans now viewable online and set to be officially presented to the public at a March are not without controversy, as evidenced by a comment to the City of Newport, MN Facebook page. “Why does it have to be Newport that closes?” The question resounds, saying that it sends “a horrible message.”

Finally in potentially better news, spring is just around the corner. As a side effect, however, “the warming house at the Loveland Rink is closed for the season,” as warming temperatures make it unnecessary for the time being.

St. Mary’s Point

Posted under flood updates” on the city website is the news that the river has in fact gone down slightly since its last measurement at Stillwater. More specifically, the Stillwater measurement was down by 0.1 feet, or 0.125 inches, if you’re into conversions. Measured at 2:15 p.m. on Monday March 7, the St. Croix River was at 75.55 feet, with 87 feet marking “flood stage.” Not into spring officially yet, the river gauge for Mississippi and St. Croix water levels is due to rise, though hopefully not out of control this year.

Woodbury

Coming out of Woodbury February 28 is the news that yet another well has been impacted by the fallout from forever chemicals in the groundwater. With nineteen wells in all, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) issued a health advisory for a ninth city well due to PFAS being detected.

Lest you be worried, the City of Woodbury would seek to reassure its residents that all nine wells affected so far were removed from service following notification by the MDH. Four wells were later returned to service in June 2020 with treatment at a temporary water treatment plant “in order to maintain supply levels.”

In the meantime and extending beyond the city itself, Woodbury reminds residents to change their smoke detector batteries when they set clocks an hour ahead this Sunday March 13. Smoke detectors need good batteries to do their job.

For those who happen to be residents of Woodbury, meanwhile, the EMS/Fire division will be hosting a free drive-thru pickup event at the Fox Run Fire Station.