BLUE EARTH– Minnesota’s other season, also known as construction season, is now underway in Faribault County.

County engineer April Wellman told the county commissioners at their meeting on Tuesday that the milling process had begun on County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 17 south of Frost last Friday, May 16.

“They were able to work through the rain yesterday (Monday) but were not working today,” Wellman said. “Once the milling is done the crews will start the reclaiming process. That should be completed by the end of May with the paving of the road scheduled to take place in June or July.”

She also shared that CSAH 35 would not be paved until this fall.

“As for the four bridges scheduled for work this year, the pre-construction meetings have been scheduled,” Wellman commented. “We are also in the process of abandoning bridge No. L9441, in Jo Daviess Township, as well as the minimum maintenance road it is located on. This is being done at the township’s request.”

Wellman reported that the bridge repair on CSAH 12 west of Winnebago is also in progress along with the lighting of the intersections on CSAH 16 at the Frost and Bricelyn corners.

“We are just waiting for Benco to connect power to the lights,” Wellman said.

The commissioners also discussed the status of the recently purchased property that had been the Blue Earth City Hall.

“We have one entity, the Faribault County Economic Development Authority, that has expressed an interest in moving into the building,” commissioner Bill Groskreutz reported.

Faribault County Buildings and Ground supervisor, Saxton Warmka, was at the meeting to share the necessary steps which would need to be done to get the office part of the building ready.

“We need to key new locks, install phone and fiber lines and get the carpet cleaned before the building is occupied,” Warmka suggested. “We will also need to have a microwave and refrigerator installed in the break room. We have already fixed the leaky roof.”

Asked if the roof was going to be a problem, Warmka shared the leak was caused by damage which occurred during a wind storm.

“We repaired the damage and tightened some loose screws on the roof,” Warmka commented. “I have my guys go over there during rainy days like today to make sure there are no leaks.”

In other news:

— The commissioners approved the hiring of Missy Sonnek as the new jail administrator to replace the retiring Todd Hanevik. Sonnek, who is the current assistant jail administrator, will begin her new duties on May 23.

— Approved the training request of Sheriff’s Department employee Jordan Paukert for Close Quarter Contact Instructor training.