Lake Holcombe Town Board; Plant is given a clean bill of health

Tracey Larson, clerk, talks about what is needed for Dollar General to install a driveway at their building site, when the matter was mentioned at a Lake Holcombe Town Board meeting May 11. Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

After holding their breath for a number of months while waiting on a DNR report of the Town of Lake Holcombe wastewater treatment plant, the Sanitary Board and town board can collectively breathe a sigh of relief. As reported May 11, during the regular town meeting, there are a few things the DNR wants the Sanitary District to work on at the plant, but overall, everything is in compliance.

“We are not in violation of any law,” said Sanitary Board chairman Buck Steele.

The DNR has a list of a few things to get done in the next 30 days, two of which are already done. The Sanitary Board also needs a game plan or schedule to address a few other issues. There are some items the DNR would like to see them do, but they are not required.

“Duane (Schulze, operator) does a tremendous amount of preventative maintenance,” said Steele.

Steele did mention that if the plant allows haulers in, they must have a way to sample trucks, but the point is moot.

“They’re not coming in there,” he said. Town board chairman Brian Guthman also had good news to report, as he received word that Dollar General is ready to begin the process of construction, by first demolishing the existing old grocery store on the site at 263rd Avenue. Part of the hold-up was conducting an asbestos abatement, so the store officials are looking at September as a completion date.

“They’re going to start demoing the building here in the next week, I’d guess,” said Guthman.

Town board treasurer Jim Mataczynski was also full of good reports on the financial health of the town, as he mentioned that they pulled $50,000 out of the checkbook and $150,000 out of the savings account, and opened up a business checking account for the promo dividend of 3 percent interest. The town already has several of those same highinterest accounts in place.

“You can see they’re gathering up decent interest,” said Mataczynski.

Also mentioned, was that surveys were mailed out for the Comprehensive Plan, to gather feedback on what residents want to see happen in the coming years. The turnaround date to get them back is tight, so residents should not delay in returning their responses.

Guthman also said that on 271st Street, near the Lions club campground, water is again over the road, even when it hasn’t rained. He’s talking with Xcel Energy about steps to take toward putting a culvert in.

“There must be a spring in there or something,” said Guthman.

He also said there’s water in the ditch by Heavenly Acres and that it has nowhere to drain out.

“There’s really not anything we can do,” said Guthman.

The pulverizing is done and gravel added along West Lake Shore Drive, prior to paving, as specified by the town’s five-year road plan. Guthman asks that residents and visitors be patient during this time, and support the businesses along that stretch.

“It’s going to be gravel for six to eight weeks, there’s nothing we can do,” he said. “The road’s gotta settle.”