New Auburn Mayor begins 20th year of service
January 20th, 2007Upgrades to the city storm sewer, the operation of the water treatment plant and water tower, implementation of a First Responder Reserve program, and an electronic scoreboard in New Auburn’s ball park.
These are some of the projects New Auburn Mayor Roger Becker is looking forward to in 2007. He is beginning his 20th year as the community’s mayor this year.
New Auburn’s water treatment plant and water tower are expected to be in operation by mid June. The projects are being funded through a state grant and a low interest loan. The project was required in order to reduce arsenic in the city’s water supply.
Becker said he is excited about the six person First Responder Reserve program that will be implemented, most likely in March or April. Eight community residents have volunteered to help provide day time emergency medical coverage in town. He said that there is a possibility that the city may extend the program and train eight people.
When the fire department is called to fires, the First Responder Reserves may respond but would work to take care of anyone injured, Becker explained.
Engineers are studying upgrades to New Auburn’s storm sewer system, which drains into High Island Lake. Becker said that the community is planning to install about 40 rain gardens to help remove salt and pollutants out of the water before it gets to the storm sewer. “We’re trying to be the greater Minnesota pilot project,” Becker said.
“If we put in the rain gardens it will eliminate water going to the lake,” Becker said. “The water is not 100% absorbed in the garden, and then tile will run from the rain garden to the storm sewer,” he explained.
The community has received a partial grant for the project, and the engineers are looking for extra financial help. “Engineers are designing and setting up the gardens where they think they should go,” Becker said.
A fundraiser planned for mid January by the Friends of High Island/Rush River will help with this project, he said.
“This would eliminate the need for curb and gutter,” according to Becker. “Then there will only be a few places and town that need curb and gutter.”
Another project that will light up New Auburn in 2007 is an electronic scoreboard in city’s ball park. The project costs $5,500 for the basic electronic scoreboard plus installation costs.
The scoreboard, which will be eight feet long and three feet high, will be installed this spring. Donors for the project were the New Auburn VFW Post, Security Bank and Trust Company, Weeping Willows 4-H, New Auburn Lions, and the New Auburn Fire Department Relief Association.
The ball park is used for community softball, mens and ladies, 4-H, and summer recreation, he said.
Becker is hoping for continued growth in New Auburn. The community’s population increased 34%, from 363 to 488 from the 1990 to 2000 census. The Office of the State Demographer now estimates New Auburn’s population to be 506.
Becker, who was elected in 1986 and assumed office in 1987, has seen some major changes in the community. “The city has upgraded,” he said. Some highlights during his service were the overlaying of Highway 22, development of the bank, convenience store, and new post office, and the celebration of the city’s 150th anniversary.
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