WELCOME — This week, M.R. Paving & Excavating of New Ulm has been working on finishing up the 2019 reconstruction project with patching and seeding. They hope to be finished next week, weather permitting.

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Cleanup day is still being considered and a date will be announced when it is feasible.

Meanwhile, the mowing of grass is needed for any grass 7 inches or taller. Remember to discharge the grass toward the lawn, not the gutter. Grass clippings in the storm sewer greatly affects the water table and lakes in the area and is prohibited by City Code.

Also, discharge sump pumps on lawn or into the storm sewer and not the sanitary sewer.

Also a reminder to flush only toilet paper into the sanitary sewer since other things do not break down and create backups and plugged pumps. Thank you to Welcome residents for your cooperation.

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Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Martin County Relay for Life event scheduled for June 27 has been postponed and a new event is pending. When people can safely honor cancer survivors and remember loved ones, an announcement will be made.

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There will be a Red Cross blood drive June 2-4 at the Fairmont Holiday Inn, and on June 8 in Sherburn.

Please contact the Red Cross to make an appointment so social distancing can be obtained. Call (800) 733-2767, go online to www.redcrossblood.org or text BLOODAPP to 90999. The need is constant and the reward is instant.

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The City Council is using their iPads and social distancing at meetings. They remind residents that the parks are open but there is no sanitizing by the city. They ask that you do social distancing and provide hand sanitizer for your children.

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Martin County West School has scheduled an electronic public hearing for 6:30 p.m. June 8 to discuss the Welcome school building closing/repair situation.

The building and grounds committee made a video this spring that can be viewed. The hearing was the committee’s recommendation, as it is receiving weekly reports about all the school buildings.

Comments and questions can be submitted no later than 4 p.m. June 5. Instructions and dates will be on the district web page. An address for mailing questions will be available.

An independent hearing official will compile the questions and the compilation will be available on the web page and by email.

Meetings with large attendance are prohibited at this time so the hearing will be done electronically, teleconference style.