COMMISSION TALKS HAZARDOUS MATERIAL SURVEY, REMOVAL

    The Marshall County Commission met on Tuesday for a shorter meeting. The group went over the results of the EPA Brownfields Hazardous Material Survey, which the county had received a grant to fund. 19 samples were taken in the courthouse to test for hazardous materials including asbestos. Of the 19, four spots were detected at over a 1% rating which qualifies them for remediation, meaning any contamination would be removed or sealed off in order for a property to be used again without health concerns.
    Auditor Megan Biel noted that the four problem areas were floor tiles within various vaults, and they are not deemed dangerous unless they break and dust is released. The grant will cover the cost of the tile removal which will be completed in the next six weeks. 
    Bids for the second part of the courthouse project will be opened next week and subsequently presented at the next commission meeting on Nov. 7.
    In staffing matters, the board accepted the resignation of Sheriff’s Deputy Ian MacDonald who will be done on Nov. 15. In highway matters, Superintendent Dustin Hofland noted that they are still working on getting the fuel system at the highway shop working. Two Sheriff’s SUVs were declared surplus. 
    In zoning matters, building permits were approved for Ansel Streier - Red Iron Lake Township, Thomas Jemilo o/b/o T-Mobile – Veblen Twp, Richard Olson - Lake (variance), Jerry Nice - Lake (variance), Brent Thayer - Lake (variance), Dawn Robinson – Weston, Dakota Concrete/Kadoun Properties, LLC – Miller. 
    Reminder- commission meetings are now being held at the North Marshall Fire Hall. The next commission meeting will be held Thursday, Nov. 7 so that election results may be canvassed.