By Chris Hill, Director of Municipal Electric Services
Langford
Another first. On November 6th, I traveled to Langford to visit with Blair Healy. From my home, I travel north on 281. This particular day, the snow was coming down (not much of an accumulation) and the wind was blowing. From Plankinton to Redfield, the roads were covered in scattered ice and visibility was reduced so I was quite sure that I was going to have to call Blair and let him know that I was going to be late. Then, all of the sudden, the skies opened up and it was smooth sailing-or driving I should say. Knowing that I was now going to be on time, which is usually 20 minutes early for me, I decided to take 212 East to 37 North. Another first. My phone lights up and said turn left on to highway 37 North. Then it happens. I see signs for Turton, Conde, Verdon and Ferney. Usually when I travel, I see communities that I hadn’t heard of, but these little communities, except for Conde, I had NEVER heard of. Great little communities along the way and I knew that I had to travel through them on the way back home when I had more time.
South Dakota surprises me again. North through Grotonanother Muni Electric. East to Pierpont. Finally, north to Langford. What could have been a two-and-a-half-hour trip to Langford has now become two hours and forty-five minutes, and I enjoyed every minute of the drive because I was exploring. Much like Lewis and Clark, I am exploring! Much unlike them, it is behind my heated steering wheel and heated seats. They would be jealous.
Blair told me to come to the city shop. The green building on the north side of main street as you get in to town. I see the bucket truck, so I know this must be the place. Its chilly, but not COLD. I go into the office, knowing full well that I had enough time to drive around Langford for a few minutes before our meeting, and still being 20 minutes early, and Blair is nowhere to be found. I head out front to 24
where I parked and looked up. Town of Langford Maintenance Shop. Ok, this was right, so I wander more and see Joe Keough. Joe leads me to Blair, and I ask if they have time to visit with me-yes, I ask, even though the meeting has been set up for a while now.
Employees Joe Keough and Blair Healy
Blair and Joe already know how great Langford is. I mentioned some of my sights and how impressed I was with their community with a population of 326. They are the only two maintenance workers and much like several of our communities, Blair and Joe wear many hats with their positions.
Langford is looking at installing a new AMR system and is currently talking to vendors about possible system improvements for water and electric meters. Blair and Joe also mentioned that they would like to have pole testing completed throughout the town. Another project that was completed in 2016 was the installation of LED lighting throughout the town. They informed me that they used 70 Watt LED on main street and 40Watt LED on the side streets. The community had a positive reception of the LED lighting. The main source for the LED improvements in Langford was a grant from Heartland Consumers Power District for LED improvements. SOUTH DAKOTA MUNICIPALITIES
