Tuesday,  May 21, 2013 • Vol. 14--No. 305 • 10 of 33 •  Other Editions

(Continued from page 9)

• Mayor Roy Olson gave an update on the golf course water well. As part of the agreement with the school to help water the golf course, the city drilled a test well in the southeast corner of the course.
• μThe test well looks good,ξ Olson said. μThe guy will be testing it. It's about 150 feet deep and will have a 4 inch well when done.ξ
• Olson also reminded the council that Northwestern Energy would be changing out a cracked or broken insulator at the south substation resulting in a power outage on Thursday. The power will go off at 5:30 am and remain off for about an hour. It is recommended that most electronics be shut off prior to the outage to prevent damage.
• The council moved into executive session to discuss legal and personnel issues.

• - Char Telkamp

• 

Andover Township looks to join Groton Fire District

Andover Township began an informal dialog Monday evening with the Groton Fireboard on becoming part of the Groton Fire and Rescue Tax District. Loren Helmer came before the fireboard representing the Andover Township.
• Like many townships the Andover Township is having problems finding enough funds and volunteers to field a volunteer fire department and wanted to open a dialog with Groton on becoming annexed into the tax district.
• "In all honesty," Helmer said. "Groton's response time (to Andover) is faster than our response time."
• Should the two townships decided to become part of the tax district then the next decision will be wither to keep the Andover station open as a satellite station or to close the station and respond from the Groton station. There are a several factors that will affect the decision.
• The main concern is if the current firefighters will continue to commit to the fire hall in responding to fire calls, keep up with training and becoming certified firefighters. The next consideration will be based on the tax evaluation for the area. Will the additional taxes cover the costs of maintaining and running the fire hall?
• Helmer admitted that the equipment in the fire hall and worn by the firefighters is not the best.
• "You could set up a museum with our stuff," Helmer said.
• Groton Fire Chief Dion Bahr also had some concerns.
• "With the annexation of Bath we are spread to the west," Bahr said. "Now we would be looking east. Will we be spread too thin?"
• Another concern is combining two different counties dispatches. Groton is dis

(Continued on page 11)

© 2013 Groton Daily Independent • To send correspondence, click here.