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Spring The It ON THE GREAT RIVER ROAD Vol. 16 MARCH/APRII, 2005 Newsletter of the City of Otsego • /Otsego Clean-up� (s.: - Month Vl} ' -'' • 4"....., May 1-31, 2005 wsiN, - ` �,Il �►. At Elk River Landfill -n w.... Voucher Required `` _��` Accepted Items S�` G. ,}) Household junk No Charge Furniture No Charge Otseo Clean-up Month Brush, ard waste(Must No Charge g be separate; No bags) vouchers available Scrapmetal No Charge Vehicle batteries No Charge Clean lumber No Charge Otsego Clean-up Month begins May 1. Otsego residents can pick up their Residential Appliances $12 each Otsego Clean-up voucher good for one free load of junk accepted at Elk River Residential air conditioners $22 each Landfill. Bring proof of residency to City Hall during regular administration CPUs/Monitors/Printers/TVs $15 each business hours(p. 2)from April 15 through May 31 to get your voucher. Only Console TVs $25 each one voucher will be issued per household. Computer system $30 each The Otsego Clean-up voucher allows Otsego residents to bring one pick-up Tires size load to the waste management facility located on Highway 169 just seven miles north of County Road 39. The voucher is good for the entire month of Tires $6 each May during regular hours at Elk River Landfill. Tires with rims $8 each No liquids, hazardous waste, paint, oil, florescent bulbs or construction Tractor tires $25 each debris will be accepted. There is a fee for appliances, computers, monitors, TVs Tractor tires with rims $30 each and tires. Not Accepted: Hazardous waste, oil, You must unload your own junk.No children under 16 are allowed out of paint, liquids,fluorescent bulbs, vehicles at the landfill. Items that can not be put in the landfill and items to be construction debris. No contractors. recycled will need to be unloaded separately. Elk River Landfill When arrivingat the landfill,pull upto thegate house whereyour vehicle is Elk River,60 Hwy. 55330 NW Elk MN 55330 weighed, the attendant will collect your voucher and ask you questions about the Monday—Friday 7:00 a. m.to 5:00 p.m. type of waste you have. Drive to the locations you are directed to unload. The Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. recyclable items are unloaded at different locations. Closed Sundays& Memorial Day There will be large waste management trucks dumping in the landfill. An area is designated for vehicles alongside the area for the big trucks. There will be fewer large trucks on Saturdays. Stop at the gatehouse when exiting to have your vehicle weighed again. This is when you will pay for items other than mixed solid waste(i.e. appliances,tires, TVs and computers). Driving in the landfill is on rough roads graded through the garbage mixed with sand. The roads are maintained every day, but be aware that wet weather will make surfaces very soft. Pick up trucks or similarly capable vehicles are recommended in these conditions. Otsego had held a single Clean-up Day for 13 years. Last year for the first time, the city implemented Clean-up Month in partnership with the Elk River Landfill. It proved to be a successful venture for the city both economically and in terms of resident participation. In 2004, 613 vouchers were issued with 433 of them used compared to only 289 households participating in 2003. City of Otsego 8899 Nashua Avenue NE Otsego,MN 55330 (763) ) 4Buildin Dept.:c73)441-2593 A good plan /.5,..„ ,.. .,,, ,,,: 15.i Fax(763)441-8823 When I visited withyou last time I talked about bil:ite:www.ci.Otsego.mn.us t'4 Co TE C Web Site:www.ci.Otsego.mn.us asking the City Council to restrict residential J ADMINISTRATION OFFICE HOURS development to 400 residential building permits per Monday through Thursday year. The reason for this request was to slow down from the 8:00 a.m.to 6:00 p.m. this type of development and give infrastructure such /\ v V R BUILDING DEPT.OFFICE HOURS Fridays CLOSED as roads, schools,police protection, fire protection Monday through Thursday and our public works department time to plan and mimilimmilmimmi 8:00 a.m.to 6:00 p.m. react to residential growth. I am pleased to report by Mayor Larry Fournier Fridays 8:00 a.m.to noon back to you that the City Council unanimously ----40 CITY COUNCIL supported this request and believes that slowing things down should produce a better Mayor planned city. Commercial and industrial developmentpace will continue at its current Larry Fournier Council Members as this type of development adds to our tax base and creates jobs in our community. Vern Heidner Otsego Clean Up Dan Scharber Jessica Stockamp As you remember from last year, Otsego changed its clean up day from one day to Mark Thorsted one month. Once again, for the entire month of May you will be able to take one load of CITY STAFF your trash to the landfill on Highway 169 in Elk River. The city of Otsego will provide Mike Robertson,City Administrator you with a voucher which covers the cost of dumping at the landfill. Watch for more Judy Hudson,City Clerk/Zoning information in upcoming issues of the Star News or on the Otsego Citywebsite: Administrator P g g Karee Rowell,Deputy Clerk www.ci.Otsego.mn.us. Let me know how things go. Kathy Grover,Bookkeeper Brad Belair,Public Works Supervisor Otsego purchases street sweeper Tim Rochel,Building Official PLANNING&ZONING Richard Nichols,Chair Pam Black,Vice Chair Tom Darkenwald Tammie FallonO T S E G O Doug Hackman '' Jim Kolles �+ ^•"� David Thompson Troy Watring,1st alternate 1 I I o i t John Thelen,2nd alternate , " PARKS&RECREATION . Aaron Stritesky,Chair .` l < i1 Mike Brumm,Vice Chair Rose Cassady ••�... • I Virginia Duran t , • Russ Langer ' ATE , /f/ Kathryn Roberts Peter Torresani Atit,k HERITAGE PRESERVATION " IL Ron Black,Chair t , , �, • Jeannine S.Christensen • 1°: I. Carla Ransom Lilia Rousselet , .• Joy Swenson .---- . i (it , kj Chris Wilson _ POLICE COMMISSION .p • Sandra Michaelson,Chair I" Jane M.Bartheld,Secretary ,. '~ •••••umw Thomas Carter,Vice Chair I ., i • it.' Philip Larson Alvin McClure The city of Otsego acquired its own street sweeper in April. A 1993 machine previously owned Edgar Pearsall by a municipality was purchased for$29,900. A new sweeper would cost$120,000. Spring Rudy Thibodeau sweeping clears roadways of sand and salt, keeping materials from washing down storm drains (:121,SaGO VIEW and clears debris to make streets safer for the driving public. Before getting the sweeper, street clean up was done by outside contractors. Otsego Public The Otsego View is a bi-monthly Works Supervisor Brad Belair looks forward to being able to perform sweeping tasks as needed newsletter for the city of Otsego. without the restrictions of usingcontractors. The department has alreadyestimated 160 hours for Jacquie Rognli,Editor p Correspondence should be sent to spring clean up and is ready to perform sweeping tasks more often as needed throughout the Otsego City Hall. year. Previously, services were contracted for 120 hours and scheduling during the high demand 70 Contains 50%recycled pre- * consumer materials. spring season was challenging. or Public Works Department summer hours are: Mon.to Thurs. 7 a.m.to 4 p.m. Fri. 7-11 a.m. 0 Building permits required �± Obtaining a building permit for home improvements B U I L D I N G & FINANCE and the inspections performed by the building department provide assurance that work is done properly and will not be a safety hazard. Building permits are required for decks, detached structures such as garages and lawn sheds, basement finishing,roofing, siding and windows. Inspections are scheduled with the building department as ) needed for the project.Be sure to call the department to let them know when the job is finished so the final inspection i f i can be scheduled and the file finalized. Obtaining proper permits and inspections not only makes , certain that construction is done properly,but can also be an important factor when a home is sold.It has become routine — - - . for a buyer in a residential real estate transaction to request _ that the seller provide confirmation of building permits and approvals for all additions or alterations made to the dwelling.Even if a buyer doesn't make this a direct condition The Otsego Building Department from back left clockwise:Building of the contract,the buyer's home inspection company is Official Tim Rochel,building inspectors Harold Leonard,Jerry Olson and likely to flag the issue in its inspection report. Joe Abrahamson,receptionists Barb Williams and Sandy Lindenfelser. The Building Department can answer questions about The building department(including personnel,office remodel and fixtures) city codes, set backs and when permits are needed.They has been funded entirely by building permit fees. issue certificates of occupancy,handle escrows for landscaping and driveways, issue permits and schedule inspections. Otsego Building Department personnel are available to issue permits, answer questions and schedule inspections Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to noon. Inspection hours are 8 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to noon on Friday. .h,, BRZFFB Minnesota Phosphorus Lawn • The Otsego Festival committee will be holding Fertilizer Ban now in effect planning sessions for the Sept. 17 event.New members As of January 1, 2005, fertilizers containing phosphorus are always welcome. Contact Rose Cassady(763-441- cannot be used on residential lawns in Minnesota. 8769). Excess phosphorus in runoff from our yards is causing • The Police Commission is seeking more volunteers for the our lakes and streams to turn green from excess algae McGruff House program. More are needed by the parks growth. This can lead to fish kills, and cause our lakes and and Otsego Elementary. Contact Jane Theisen(763-441- � 7059). rivers to become smelly and unsightly. One pound of • Burning Permits are required and can be obtained from phosphorus fertilizer can create 500 pounds of algae in a City Hall. The DNR establishes a spring burning ban until lake during a summer season. Exceptions to the law are for establishing new lawns or when soil testing shows a green-up. • All dogs and cats must be leashed,under equally need for phosphorus. effective command control or on their owner's property. p rty The Phosphorus Lawn Fertilizer Law restricts the use, not the sale of phosphorus lawn fertilizer. Responsibility Dogs six months of age and older require a license. A is on the user, not the seller,to use the product correctly. complete copy of the city animal ordinance can be It is also a state law that lawn fertilizer spilled or accessed on the citys web site. overspread on paved areas must be cleaned up---,. CITY MEETINGS immediately. This applies to all ,,�� fertilizer,whether it contains \ MEETING DAYS TIME Z phosphorus or not. 211.% I City Council 2nd&4th Mon. 6:30 pm Look for the middle number \\ AllialpIPit Planning&Zoning 1st&3rd Mon. 7:00 pm A string of three numbers on a \ j Police Commission 2nd Tues. 7:00 pm fertilizer bag show its analysis– Parks&Recreation 2nd Wed. 7:00 pm the middle number indicates « ` ' Heritage Preservation 4th Thurs. 7:00 pm W,,.wr.,i w phosphate(phosphorus)content. "�, ,' •Submit City Council agenda items seven working days prior to meetings. A zero in the middle means that 22w., •To be placed on the Planning Commission agenda,submit completed forms& the fertilizer contains no % information 15 working days prior to meetings. •All meetings are open to the public.Please call City Hall to confirm times if you plan phosphorus. 4 to attend. •Agendas and minutes are available on the city's web site:www.ci.Otsego.mn.us. Development surges are iStorical part of Otsego's history By Jacquie Rognli Settlement booms are not new to Otsego. When the ighlights Minnesota Territory opened to settlers,there was a rush for land throughout the territory. The first claim by a settler in Otsego to more effectively manage the growing Wright County was John McDonald's Otsego homestead in development. Becoming a city meant Otsego was now 1852. Speculators predicted an even bigger demand for eligible for increased state aid for roads and able to manage land and platted town sites,hoping they would be filled its own development. A Comprehensive Plan was soon with settlers buying their land to make them rich. adopted and Otsego was no longer subject to the Wright Northwood was 300 acres surveyed and platted in 1856 County Board of Commissioners for approval on re- by Oliver H. and Charles Kelly along the Mississippi about zoning,platting and building inspections. The city of a mile above the mouth of the Crow River. Shares and lots Otsego hired its first part-time building inspector,Jerry sold rapidly, but following the financial crisis of 1857,the Olson, in 1991. hotel was empty, the store closed and the buildings Otsego's first wastewater treatment plant and municipal decayed and burned. water system went online in 2000, opening the floodgates The Otsego town site was 400 acres surveyed and for development on the east side of the city. A second platted in sections 17 and 18 in 1857 by J.G. Smith, Z. M. expansion for the east plant is now underway. A second Brown,J.N. Barbur, and John McDonald. Soon after the water tower and treatment plant have been constructed on village was laid out, the financial panic came and the hopes the west side of the city prompting a huge surge in of the promoters were never realized. The dotted lines of development on Otsego's west end. the hoped for streets in the village can still be seen in In an attempt to slow residential development to a section 17 of a current Otsego map. manageable pace, in 2005 the Otsego City Council adopted Through the first part of the 20 century, Otsego a policy that limits development of new housing to an experienced only small population gains and losses. That average of 400 new units per year.../...A., increased to a 41%gain from 1960 to 1970 and then took a dramatic leap from a population of / Otsego New Home Perm its Issued 1990-2003 1,526 in 1970 to 4,769 in 1980—more than tripling the township's population in 10 years. 500/ , __ During that time,Otsego Township suffered -- -- growing pains as home buyers were drawn to the 450 township's open rural land and affordable prices 400 1 (compared to the inner suburbs)with easy access 350 J _ to I94 for commuters.Building permits were 300 approved by Wright County and development I sprawled without the direction of a 250 -1011 comprehensive plan.The new residents demanded 200 paved roads and the township struggled to provide 150 services for the growing population without the 100 benefit of income from permit fees which were 50 collected by the county. In 1990,the Otsego Township Board took 0 RR ,, gg the action of incorporating as the city of R City addresses growth issues tUNNESDIA Highway 101. Update The city of Otsego will be limiting development of The Otsego City Council approved the new housing to an average of 400 units per year,based 1 1 Highway 101 layout plan in March. Highway on a need to assure that community infrastructure can 101 will be converted into a freeway with four keep pace with residential growth. interchanges in the Otsego portion of the highway. Growth issues in regard to traffic and schools are being At this point,the state plans to let bids for construction affected more by residential expansion in surrounding in early 2006. They anticipate that construction will communities than by Otsego's growth. City parks, city begin in summer 2006 and be completed in fall 2007. The streets and sewer and water systems are all being paid for state intends to keep four lanes of traffic open on Highway by new development. ..... 101 during the construction. They will be building some bypass lanes around intersections in order to do this. wv The kr ON THE GREAT RIVER ROAD NV Vol. 16 MAY/JUNE 2005 Newsletter of the City of Otsego Stormwater management protects water quality and reduces flooding As cities grow and replace forests and agricultural land, ,."., - increased storm water runoff from impervious surfaces can �' become a problem. Storm water runoff from developed areas - . increases flooding and carries pollutants from streets, parking lots and lawns into local streams,rivers,lakes and * 7 wetlands.It is important that the storm water be as clean as '' r possible. Managing storm water helps protect surface water I 0 quality and helps to control flooding. v. , 3 Many residential areas in Otsego contain above ground !..„4, , swales or ditches and storm water pondsf� • to move storm water and temporarily store storm water to prevent flooding `. "� . { and remove contaminants. They are a vital part of the storm 7 sewer system and much design has gone into them.Filling these ponds with dirt or yard clippings is a violation of Otsego's Ordinance.The ponds are also an easement for drainage and utility use.Filling these with dirt or yard •tsego s po •s,swa es and 'itches are al part o a system o storm clippings will reduce storage for a storm event,clog storm water management for the city and part of the public right of way. pipes and generally make the ponds and wetlands less aesthetic.The potential for flooding of surrounding homes will increase. Swales and their connections to ponds should be checked regularly by Call before you dig homeowners and homeowners'associations to insure they are not blocked by Residents are reminded that if you have a trash and clumps of unwanted vegetation. Weeds and other undesirable plant project that requires digging deeper than material volunteer and grow in theses areas and they tend to collect garbage. one foot,you are required by law to call During heavy rainfall,even a small amount of garbage and vegetation can Gopher State One Call(GSOC).A phone I slow down water movement and cause it to back up and cause flooding. call to 1-800-252-1166 will get all Homeowners can help maintain water quality with an environmentally underground utilities marked free of j friendly lawn care program. Restricting the use of fertilizers,pesticides and charge within two days. herbicides will reduce the chemicals flowing into storm drains and can be • Call at least two business days the way to a healthy lawn that requires less time to maintain. The before digging. 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. University of Minnesota Extension Service website Monday-Friday. (http://www.extension.umn.edu)includes much information on creating a • Homeowners must mark the sustainable lawn that utilizes fewer inputs, is environmentally friendly, and digging area with white self-perpetuating over a period of time. 1:; stakes or white spray paint. Homeowners can help maintain good water quality by slowing the • GSOC can only locate speed at which storm water runs off and providing opportunities for services installed by infiltration of the storm water. Tactics can include: utilities. You or a private • Separating hard surfaces with soft surfaces such as grass or other locator will have to locate sprinkler lines, planted areas. This will slow down water movement and allow time gas grill lines, invisible pet fencing or for some of it to infiltrate. outbuilding power lines. • Make specific opportunities for water to infiltrate close to the source. • Once the utilities are located,you must This might include creating rainwater gardens that increase the amount hand dig carefully no closer than two feet of water that filters into the ground,which recharges local and regional from the markings. aquifers. A brochure on how to create a rainwater garden can also be • If you hire a professional excavator,they found on the Extension Service website. are responsible for contacting GSOC. 4 City of Otsego 8899 Nashua Avenue NE Otsego,MN 55330 Building(Dept4(763)-441-2593 Improvingservices41-4414 . ' . 1 -" Fax(763)441-8823 As our citygrows we must expand our abilityto Email:ite:www.ci.Otsego.mn.us PiNOTES web Site:www.ci.Otsego.mn.us provide essential services to our citizens. This is ADMINISTRATION OFFICE HOURS equally true in the area of public works. As many of Monday through Thursday you know, our public works department is located on from the 8:00 a.m.to 6:00 p.m. CountyRoad 39 in a small buildingand on a smallM A Y O Fridays CLOSED BUILDING DEPT.OFFICE HOURS and restricted site. In an effort to meet our current Monday through Thursday and future needs the City Council has purchased 32 miavammimmmi 8:00 a.m.to 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Larry Fournier Fridays 8:00 a.m.to noon acres just north of City Hall on 90th Street. This purchase was financed bymoneyin budget which —47 CITY COUNCIL our Mayor was earmarked for this project. The City Council is in the process of interviewing Larry Fournier qualified architectural firms who could design a public works building that will meet Council Members Vern Heidner our city's needs. We expect construction of a new public works building to begin no Dan Scharber later than the spring of 2006. Jessica Stockamp Construction season is here again and we have several road projects this summer. Mark Thorsted g P J CITY STAFF The most notable is the reconstruction of Quaday Ave from 78th Street south to County Mike Robertson,City Administrator Road 37. Construction will begin in early July and should be completed in early fall Judy Hudson,City Clerk/Zoning 2005. This project is long over due and will be financed mostly by state aid moneys. Administrator There are other road projects beingdone bydevelopers in residential and commercial Karee Rowell,Deputy Clerk P Kathy Grover, Bookkeeper areas which will have little impact on most of us. Brad Belair,Public Works Supervisor Summer in Otsego is a wonderful time. I am looking forward to this season as I am sure Tim Rochel,Building Official you also are.Everyone have a wonderful summer and let's make it our safest ever.. PLANNING&ZONING Richard Nichols,Chair Pam Black,Vice Chair Tom Darkenwald Permit not required for a campfire Tammie Fallon A burningpermit is not required for a recreational campfire. Doug Hackmandrill,„, * q P Jim Kolles "Campfire"means a fire set for cooking, warming, or David Thompson Troy Watring,1St alternate , ceremonial purposes, which is not more than three feet in John Thelen,2nd alternate diameter by three feet high, and has had the ground five PARKS&RECREATION Aaron Stritesky,Chair feet from the base of the fire cleared of all combustible Mike Brumm,Vice Chair material. Burning permits are -41r Rose Cassady 1` Virginia Duran required for other types of fires. DOG *ASTE Russ Langer Kathryn Roberts IS A THREAT TO T HEALTH Of OUR CHILDREN-DEGRADES Peter Torresani OIFi TOWN-TRANSMITS DISEASE HERITAGE PRESERVATION Pet litter responsibility of owner Ron Black,Chair Pet owners are responsible for cleaning up of dog and cat LEASH AND Jeannine S.Christensen feces and disposing of it in a sanitarymanner whether on their AFTCLER YOUR Carla Ransom P gDOG Lilia Rousselet own property the property of others or on public property. Joy Swenson Neither dogs nor cats are allowed to roam at large in the city Chris Wilson POLICE COMMISSION of Otsego. They must be effectively restrained by command or IT'S REQUIRED BY LAW! Thomas Carter,Chair leash when not on their owner's property. Jane M.Bartheld '` E"2 Philip Larson Alvin McClure Sandra Michaelsonr4C.,, Off-road recreational motor vehicle Edgar Pearsall 1 •O• Jane Theisen,Vice Chair eleafrillillii:551)�\ use restricted Rudy Thibodeau,Secretary � - Trail bikes, all-terrain vehicles, hover-craft or motor OT GO ivehicles being used for off-road recreational purposes `f. .`� "-'� are not allowed to operate in designated residential areas The Otsego View is a bi-monthly except on private property with the owner's written permission newsletter for the city of Otsego. Jacquie Rognli,Editor between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. Minnesota statutes apply for the rest of the city. Correspondence should be sent to The restricted area for off-road motor vehicles is the same as for snowmobiles. ;* Otsego City Hall. • contains50%rmateecsleddpre- The map can be viewed on the city's website in Chapter 8 of the city ordinances or at City Hall. 0 City parks offer summer fun . ter. "'" „a, _, sad ay Otsego Prairie Park is packed with amenities for summer fun. The yr park has three different areas of playground equipment, a full .s basketball court, sandlot volley ball and horse shoe pits. Prairie Park *A=._ also has four baseball fields. One of the most popular parts of the *t 4:"": park is the skate park with all of its ramps, steps and railings for , * skateboarders to try out their skills. Besides all of the dynamic equipment, Otsego Prairie Park offers a "t place to relax with benches along the paved trails, a large picnic --- -- shelter and multiple picnic sites in the wooded area that each include a picnic table,trash bin and barbeque grill. 111 Prairie Park is Otsego's largest park and is centrally located in the city on the west side of City Hall.Access the driveway to the paved parking area just north of City Hall on Nashua Avenue. __, ,fk. "= Otsego's two smaller neighborhood parks are School Knoll and Lily Pond parks.Both have multi-age level playground equipment,a small . - -•-...,. . ... .' r-- - , --- - _,--,,,,trylw ....... pavilion,picnic areas,full court basketball and tennis courts. Skateboardina in Prairie Park. Entertainment in the Park Planning underway for Festival five Wednesday she fourth annual Otsego Festival date is September Bring your family to Prairie Park for evenings July 6 to August 3. Entertainment will start at 17th. Planning meetings are set for 7 p.m. on June 14,July 6:30 pm each evening. Bring your picnic dinner along to 12,August 9,August 23 and September 8 at City Hall. munch on as you enjoy the show. No pre-registration Anyone is welcome to attend. required and no fee. In the event of bad weather,the Crafters,organizations and businesses are invited to participate in the festival. Volunteers are needed for the performance will be held inside Otsego City Hall. July 6,Jeff Kasper"Reach for your Goals" features world whole day or any part of the day. For a participant class juggling,comedy, and a message that encourages kids registration form or more information, call 441-8769. to pursue their goals on school, as well as in life. July 13,World Music Experience Manuel and Nefat are CITY MEETINGS two worldly musicians who are ready to entertain and introduce MEETING DAYS TIME you to different styles of music from around the world. City Council 2nd&4th Mon. 6:30 pm July 20,Sophia Shorai Sophia Shorai is a pianist and Planning&Zoning 1st&3rd Mon. 7:00 pm singer with a jazz influence. Police Commission 2nd Tues. 7:00 pm July 27,Paul Imholte Musical stringman Paul Imholte Parks&Recreation 2nd Wed. 7:00 pm blends country hoedowns, enchanting Celtic melodies, Heritage Preservation 4th Thurs. 7:00 pm classical transcriptions for folk instruments,humorous •Submit City Council agenda items seven working days prior to meetings. songs, and treasured ballads. •To be placed on the Planning Commission agenda,submit completed August 3,Jennifer J.Holt Jennifer's songs are both forms&information 15 working days prior to meetings. intimate and rebel rousing and reflect personal experiences. •All meetings are open to the public.Please call City Hall to confirm times if you plan to attend. She is also a lover of Irish and Old Time music and brings •Agendas and minutes are available on the city's web site: her modern spunk to traditional songs. www.ci.Otsego.mn.us. 1 Wright County to celebrate ; r' 1 150 years • • 1 Wright County Heritage Center will host Wright County ' Sesquicentennial Celebration Day on Saturday,June 25th, hts 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Heritage Center is located at 2001 Highway 25 North in Buffalo. Admission is free. Commission contemplates use for There will be demonstrations of butter making, historic home weaving,chair caning,blacksmithing, rope making, corn The Otsego Heritage Preservation Commission is shelling and wool spinning. In addition,there will be music searching for good ways for the community to use the John provided throughout the day as well as performances of McDonald homestead which has over two acres of land as Swedish, Mexican, Czechoslovakian, Irish and German well as the small residence of Otsego's first white settler. ethnic dance groups. The Commission is seeking feedback from residents of There will also be several arts and crafts guilds Otsego for ideas about how the McDonald house could be represented, including the Buffalo Arts Guild, Knitters used to benefit the community. Send suggestions to the Club, Quilt Guild, Woodcarvers Guild and Wright Fibre Heritage Preservation Commission at City Hall. ..A.A., artists. There will be exhibits on medical care and rural electricity history in the county along with vintage tractors, , ,aik -A6- - it cars and a corn shredder on display. ' 1."' � ', tot Entertainment will also be provided by the Wright " * ' County 4-H Clown Club and a petting zoo. The celebration is a joint effort of Wright County and the Wright County Historical Society. The event is free and .:. " .,Y 'p open to the public and the only charge will be from food y. ' . vendors who will be on site. ,i,-...!,e _J - nfitl With a crowd of 1,000 to 2,000 anticipated at one time . t _ or another during the day,people will be asked to park at 4 I the public works building, 1901 Hwy 25 N, Buffalo. - or W _*, Shuttle buses will be provided to transport people to and from the Heritage Center. '� More information can be obtained by going to the • • , .. historical society website at www.wrighthistory.org or by calling(763)682-7323..rw Backyard of the John McDonald homestead. USPS specifies mailbox standards House numbers must be The United States Postal Service(USPS)dictates that every curbside clearly visible mailbox must bear the following address information: Otsego city ordinance dictates that a. A box number, if used, inscribed in contrasting color in neat letters and buildings display their assigned address numerals at least 1 inch high on the side of the box in numerals not less than four inches visible to the carrier's regular approach, or on the rhigh that contrast with the background door if boxes are grouped. and clearly visible from the street. If the b.A house number if street names and house numbers have been assigned by local authorities.If 1"numerals for USPS view from the street is obstructed, the box is on a different street from the customer's or 2"for house ID numerals can be placed on a permanent residence,the street name and house number must be " mounting on the property clearly visible inscribed on the box. o from the street or on the mailbox with The post or other support for a curbside mailbox two-inch high light reflective numerals. must be neat and of adequate strength and size and § Highly visible numbers enable must be placed to allow safe and convenient delivery cr, emergency service personnel to by carriers without leaving their vehicles. The box o locate an address easier and may must be on the right-hand side of the road in the N save precious moments when direction of travel of the carriers on a rural route. OUTSIDE EDGE The city of Otsego recommends that boxes be a 2 OF SHOULDER responding to a 911 call for help. minimum of 42 inches above the outside edge of the v ka^^." shoulder to allow snowplows to pass under the box. . 0