Bonanza Valley Voice -

The Brooten City Council met on Monday (Feb. 8) night this week and started off with an informational session on a new ventilation system for the Brooten Pavilion. Loren Grothe of PALS delivered the presentation.

The recommendation was for a minimum of three 36-inch belt-driven slant wall exhaust fans. Grothe noted that six would be more efficient.

“These fans are similar to ones that can be seen on barns and warehouses,” said Grothe.

Concerns of Mayor Larry Putz and the council included what they will look like, how they work and how noisy they are. Grothe is going to order one so the council can further inspect them. If this system is chosen, the fans would be installed above the windows and under the rafter supports in the spring.

Fire Chief Matt Ogdahl had several items to report on. First was in regard to funds that were in their general fund from fund raising efforts. They have been attending to more and more wildfire burns and would like to purchase a Polaris Ranger from Jim’s Snowmobile in Holdingford. The cost of the UTV along with accessories would be $16,213. A discussion for purchasing a trailer for $3,000 - $5,000 that would be capable of handling the vehicle with water tanks, etc. on it was also discussed. Matt will do further information on that and report at a future meeting.

Next Matt requested four more pagers at a cost of $1,700 and informed the council that he will most likely be needing more in the fall. He is having to replace older ones that are either in disrepair or incapable of attaining the current required frequencies. The money for this will come out of the city budget.

Matt then reported that the number of members is down to 22, with two in school who are about half way done right now. They are not hurting but should be around 25-26 members to be comfortable. There are a lot of the volunteers who work out of town or other circumstances so it is best to have that many on the force. He is asking if anyone knows someone that might be interested, to please have them apply. An ad will also be placed in the newspaper.

New requirements for fitness tests and physicals, which OSHA will be closely monitoring, were reported. What the department will do is have half the force do their physicals and fit tests and the next year the other half with an annual cost of $3,000.

To read the whole story, get a copy of the Feb. 11 issue of the Bonanza Valley Voice.