COUNTRY
Serving Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2017 VOL. 34 NO. 22 www.countrymessenger.com $.75
CARNELIAN -MARINE-ST. CROIX WATERSHED: Tax levy maximum approved. PAGE 2
Sales strong after gas station changes hands
Solar ordinance repealed
BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@COUNTRYMESSENGER.COM
Sales are strong at the Scandia’s new Super America since Federated Co-ops bought the former Todd’s Home Center, remodeled and reopened as a hybrid gas station and country store this spring. Gasoline sales are up about 50 percent, reported Chief Executive Officer Mike McMahon. Additionally, customers have been using the ATM and seem receptive to increased food offerings such as hot dogs, sandwiches, donuts and refrigerated foods. But McMahon hopes the revamped gas station and convenience store don’t eclipse the country store side of the business. “The store is meeting our expectations on the Super America side,” he said. “Customers are coming for the food service … But I don’t think people realize there’s another part, which is the country store. We have hardware, pet food, bait, tackle and various things. It’s a hybrid store.” SEE STORE, PAGE 2
Tax levy set for ‘18 BY KYLE WEAVER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Commercial solar farms are no longer welcome in Scandia. The Scandia City Council last week repealed its ordinance allowing new community solar gardens. The repeal comes amid concerns for the impact the farms may have on local, rural viewsheds and after the council had recently considered enacting a second moratorium on the farms. “As it turned out … I don’t think we understood all the implications,” Mayor Christine Maefsky said. Maefsky noted that since the city discussed the repeal in August, she has fielded questions from city residents, but hasn’t heard any stern objections to it. City Planner Sherri Buss and council member Jim Schneider both observed that the city received a lot of positive comments and encouragement when the
SUZANNE LINDGREN | COUNTRY MESSENGER
The Federated Co-ops country store in Scandia — part of the new Super America gas station and convenience store — stocks bird food, Red Wing shoes and Carhartts, among other inventory.
Meet and greet set for new riverway superintendent St. Croix River Association (SCRA) will be hosting an open house reception for Julie Galonska, the newly appointed superintendent of St. Croix National Scenic Riverway at the Watershed Café on Monday, October 2, which also coincides with the date of when the St. Croix Scenic Riverway was born. "It has been a privilege to work with Julie on many different projects over the past eight years," said SCRA Executive Director, Deb Ryun. "She is very forward thinking and has a strong commitment to partnering for the benefit of the River. The appointment is very good for the Riverway
and for the people that live, work, and play here." Galonska, a 23-year veteran of the National Park Service (NPS), has been the acting superintendent since February 2016, will guide riverway stewards into an exciting time. The park will celebrate its golden anniversary as a Wild and Scenic River next year. “I am honored to have been selected as the Superintendent of St. Croix National Scenic Riverway,” said Galonska. “I look forward to continuing to work with the staff, partners, and communities along the St. Croix and Namekagon Rivers, especially as we celebrate the NEWS 651-433-3845 editor@countrymessenger.com
50th anniversary of St. Croix’s designation as one of America’s first Wild and Scenic Rivers in 2018.” On October 2, 1968, President Lyndon Johnson signed into law the act that established the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act. In doing so, the riverway — which includes the St. Croix and its tributary, the Namekagon — was among the eight original rivers designated by the 1968 act, and the first to be named a national park. As the Friends Group for the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, SCRA supports and complements the National Park Service’s work within the RivADVERTISING 651-433-3845 sales@osceolasun.com
erway. Fast-forward to almost 50 years, the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway still offers clean water, pristine beauty, flourishing wildlife habitat and abundant recreational outdoor activities within easy reach from a major metropolitan area. “We are happy to host this celebration of the new superintendent the same day as this important anniversary,” said Ryun. This stop-by reception is free and open to the public. In correlation with the announcement of the start of the yearlong celebration to mark half a century
CITY OF SCANDIA
Scandia’s solar farm on Highway 95. The Scandia City Council last week repealed its ordinance allowing new community solar gardens.
solar farms ordinance was adopted. But now they are hearing almost no objection to the repeal. “We gave it our best shot, but there’s not a crystal ball to look into here,” Buss said of the ordinance. Under the terms of the repeal, the city's six major solar farms that have already been permitted will be allowed to be installed and operated. No new applications will be accepted. Following the August council discussion, the city’s planning commission also reviewed and recommended the repeal. The commission suggested, though, that the city consider a new rule that would allow smaller-scale solar gardens as accessories to individual homes. “We do need to renovate the accessory (rule),” Buss said.
Maximum tax levy set The council approved a preliminary tax levy amount of $2,353,102 for 2018, roughly a 4.2 percent increase over 2017. The levy may go down before the city adopts its final budget, but cannot be increased. The city will hold its annual Truth In Taxation budget hearing on Dec. 6 at 6:30 p.m. Because the city’s budget assumes a 2.7 percent increase in market value, city residents can expect roughly an $11 increase on $100,000 of property value under the current plan. Council member Steve Kronmiller noted he doesn’t favor increasing taxes at any rate, but said the city’s
SEE SCRA, PAGE 2
PUBLIC NOTICES 651-433-3845 editor@countrymessenger.com
SEE COUNCIL, PAGE 2
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