Changes to county snow plow policy draws phone calls

Changes to the county’s snowplowing policies have some rural residents worried they’ll be left out in the cold.

Carlton County Commissioner Gary Peterson opened a discussion about the newly implemented County Transportation Policy for opening private driveways at the adjourned session of the Carlton County Board of Commissioners Nov. 26.

“I received a few phone calls from concerned Carlton County residents that have depended on the snowplowing service but question the new cost schedule, the sign-up date, and the $450 per winter fee (for the first ¼ mile) to be paid up front before plowing season begins,” Peterson said, asking what other input his fellow commissioners have received.

“One elderly person called with concerns and said they had financial difficulties,” he added, asking how many people have actually signed up for the service.

County Highway Engineer JinYeene Neumann said about 20 applicants requested and filed for county snowplowing, which was down by half from those that had the service last year.

“Under the old system the county has been losing money,” Neumann said. “Why should the taxpayers of the county subsidize the snowplowing service of a few households?”

Commissioner Susan Zmyslony said two people had contacted her and said they were not concerned about the cost but thought that a late fee could be charged for a snowplowing service filing that occurred after the Nov. 1 deadline.

During the discussion, the subject of snowplowing service for unlisted private roads after a historic snowfall like the one in 1991 was questioned. County Coordinator Dennis Genereau stated that in such a situation the county would be a standby to handle that type of emergency. No action was taken by the County Board at this time.

In other news around the county:

• The County Fair is working to update the horse arena at the fairgrounds. Plans are to increase the arena space 5-feet wider and 27-feet longer to make it regulation-size. A quote from Widdes came to $9,400 including steel panels, posts, and gates. Rory Butkiewicz is working on a quote for the dirt work. The County Board voted to support grant applications to the Minnesota Horse Council, Lake Country Power, Compeer, and Minnesota Power if all of these sources were needed.

• SWCD has a current legal issue that will unexpectedly cost $2,000 in legal fees (about 3 percent of their current support from the county budget) and which cannot be discussed in a public meeting because of privacy issues. This is a one-time request and was approved by the County Board.

• Listed on the agenda but removed from consideration, was potential county action regarding the Proposed Highway 210 waterline extension from Carlton to the Smithville-Carlton Junction area. Some decisions need to be made before the proposal is submitted for support from the State Legislature.