Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

Winsted too late for seal coating, but water projects planned



Winsted City Council was notified Tuesday that the window
of opportunity for the seal coating project has passed for this year.

That was the determination of RCM/SEH Engineer Tom Homme.
He said that seal coating should be done between May 15 to August 15 so
that the summer heat can keep the aggregate material spread on the road
soft.

However, since preparations for the seal coating have yet
to be completed, the time frame will not be met.

Nevertheless, the city has a number of projects it will
be taking on, including curb and gutter repairs across the city as discussed
at a previous meeting.

The focus of Homme’s presentation was, however, a water
extension project. The purpose of the project is to increase water pressure
for fire protection around the city.

The proposed project was split into a number of areas.
Essentially, the city will increase the diameter of pipes to larger diameters
to accommodate more water.

The first part would increase a line from the water tower
due east up Third Street to Lewis Avenue from six inches in diameter to
12 inches. Estimated cost is $37,280.

The second part of the project would increase a four-inch
pipe on Third Street to six inches from Baker Avenue to Albert Avenue. The
cost would be $365,000.

The third part of the project would increase a four-inch
main to six inches on Baker Avenue. The cost will be $134,000.

There was also proposed work to be done on Andy Avenue
from Third to Second Street that would increase a four-inch main to 12 inches.
Estimated cost would be $68,160.

There would also be a new 12-inch line to connect Albert
and Linden Avenues. However, an easement would have to be obtained since
the line would run through the public school and the Adult Training and
Habilitation Center property. The cost of both those improvements would
be $65,380.

On some sections of the projects, Homme noted that the
majority of the cost is for the removal and replacement of the bituminous
road surface. Homme said that the estimates were conservative and that if
the city proceeds in the near future, cost could be kept low.

Council members also inquired whether all the projects
were top priority. Homme said that the work on Andy Avenue is not important,
and that the work on Baker Avenue could also wait. The council opted not
to do those sections of the work.

Some concern was voiced about getting easements, but Homme
informed the council that the right of eminent domain could be invoked.

Homme also recommended waiting on the project to fix a
hump at the intersection at Main Avenue and McLeod Co. Rd. 1. He said that
the west side of the intersection could be particularly cumbersome.

City Administrator Aaron Reeves said he would consult the
county on this issue.

Council member Jeff Albers asked that the council look
into getting a loan from a private lender for both the curb and gutter work,
and the water extension work. If not, both projects will likely go through
a bonding project, with the curb and gutter repair perhaps being assessed
to home owners.

The city is also looking at other engineers. Reeves said
after Homme’s had left that the city has been having problems with RCM/SEH’s
service and that is the reason some projects have been on hold. As of now,
the city is looking to spread its business around.

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