COUNTRY
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015
Serving Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township
VOL. 32 NO. 04 www.countrymessenger.com $.75
AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES : St. Croix River Association’s new plan. P5
Marine Residents, Brookside Bar compromise BY AUNDREA KINNEY CONTRIBUTING WRITER
On Thursday May 14, Matt Miller, part owner of the Brookside Bar and Grill, requested approval from Marine’s city council for music permits for every third Friday of the month from 5 to 8 p.m. The restaurant already has music permits for Saturdays and Sundays from 3 to 7 p.m. Miller’s request was met with frustration from a few residents who believe the music that already occurs over the weekend is too loud at their nearby homes. “It’s important to us that we’re a good community member,” Miller said. “This last weekend was our first day of music and I made a point of being there from beginning to finish on the patio, and there was no one screaming. The music was at a level where everyone could have their own conversation.” Not all in attendance felt there was a problem with the music. Gwen Roden, General Store employee, said the music on the patio was good for business. Robyn Dochterman, owner of St. Croix Chocolate Company, said that although her business is right next door to the Brookside, they have never had a problem with noise. Citizens and council members believe that the disproportionate distribution of sound could be due to the bowllike shape of the valley. Sound studies were discussed as a possible way to set a community noise standard.
SUBMITTED
Barn Quilt Trail The first “quilt” square of the Barn Quilt Trail through northern Washington County was installed on Wed., May 20 at Gammelgarden Museum in Scandia. The quilt represents the work of 18 youth, 14 adults and 4 seniors who worked from the planning stage to installation of the barn quilt. Volunteers came from Scandia, Marine on St. Croix, St. Paul, Andover, White Bear Lake and Amery, Wis. to help paint the barn quilt. The quilt can be seen from County Road 3/Olinda Trail. AUNDREA KINNEY
Matt Miller listens as the council deliberates a noise ordinance. Miller’s recent request for a music permit elicited complaints of noise from a few who live near the Brookside.
Council Member Dan Willenbring looked up the city’s official noise policy, which prohibited “all unreasonable noises and annoying vibrations.” The council agreed this terminology was too vague, and a more clear noise ordinance will have to be made. Because that process will take several months, the city council decided that they needed a temporary solution. “It’s tough to craft a noise ordinance because half the crowd driving through town is breaking it because you have to go with a decibel level,” said Mayor Mills in reference to the many motorcycles that travel through the area. Mayor Glen Mills approved the bar’s propos-
als until the next city council meeting as a trial run. The other requests will be approved pending the results. The residents who feel disturbed by the music were encouraged to call the Brookside as the problem is happening, and the Brookside was advised to work with the residents to find a middle ground. “Measuring noise, it’s difficult thing, and nobody is ever happy with the end results,” said Willenbring.
Other news: The Compost Brush Pile has been reopened as of Saturday, May 9. It has not yet been determined whether the city
Call for Photographs: ‘The Glory of May’ Submission deadline June 1 This spring, the Town of May is celebrating the splendor of its rural and natural countryside by inviting local residents to take outdoor photographs within the Township during the month of May. All submissions meeting the guidelines will be featured on the Township’s website, with selected photographs framed for exhibition at the May Town Hall. SUBMITTED
SEE COUNCIL, PAGE 2
SEE PHOTOGRAPHS, PAGE 2
"Long Lake Morning, May Township, May 20."
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