Smoke chokes out Wyoming neighborhood

Resident complains about wood boiler
by Mark Nicklawske
Regional Editor
Published:
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 6:14 PM CST

WYOMING - Wood boiler smoke continues to plague a west side neighborhood and has at least one resident calling for the city to establish an ordinance addressing the practice.

The Wyoming City Council heard a complaint Jan. 5 from Everton Circle resident Arnie Lahd regarding smoke from a wood boiler operated by a neighbor and its impact on his home. Lahd said the smoke is an ongoing problem during the winter heating season.

“I’m choking on smoke inside my own home,” said Lahd. “Do I have the right to clean air inside my home?

Lahd said a neighbor uses a wood boiler for home heating. The smoke from the boiler is exhausted through a chimney, but because the home is located in a hollow the smoke never clears the area.

The Lahd home and three others are located in an area above the wood boiler and are impacted by the smoke.

“It lingers around our home,” he said. “I gotta sit in my home and choke at night.”

Wyoming Building Official Fred Weck said the smoke generated by wood boilers may be covered in the city nuisance ordinances. He said the ordinance governs smoke, odors and air pollution.

Weck said he has discussed the issue with the owner of the wood boiler.

January Book Club

The Book Club selection for January is called: “The Secret Life of Bees” by Sue Monk Kidd.
Our next meeting will be on January 21st at 7:00pm.
“The Secret Life of Bees”
By Sue Monk Kidd
The richly drawn novel is Lily’s coming-of-age story, shining with the power of women around her, all seeking forgiveness and healing, and all discovering what family is really about.
Many of you have read this book; stop by and pick up a copy of the discussion questions.

Pre-school Storytime

Pre-school storytime will be starting its winter session on January 19th and continue through March 16th.

Bring your pre-school kids each Tuesday for this great adventure in reading.

Computer Classes

Don’t forget there are still computer classes being offered.  These will be held on January 12th and 26th.  The classes are general in nature so be sure to bring all you questions.

Wyoming hikes sewer, water rates

Wednesday, 23 December 2009
Alice Pickering
Wyoming Reporter

Wyoming City Council on Dec. 15 approved an increase for water and sewer rates  beginning Jan. 1, 2010.

The city relies on water and sewer revenue to operate the utilities. Besides providing the utilities, fees must also support the operation, maintenance, and capital costs to expand these systems.

The rate study recently completed by Abdo, Eick, & Meyers, LLP, for the city, provides the basis for increases.

Administrator Craig Mattson said changes in accounting for the water and sewer services provide better analysis of operation costs. The revenue from the water and sewer are accounted separately.  

The separation reveals that the sewer costs are greater than before and this has resulted in a drain on the fund balance.

In addition, the latest date for implementation of a water conservation rate has been set by the state for 2014. The rates adopted for the water service reflect a move toward conservation, because 2013 is the last year the city can go without a conservation rate.

The purpose of the rate increases is to collect enough money to operate and maintain the system, and keep a positive fund balance. Collection at the current rates for each utility will result in deficits in only a few years, according to Mattson.

The city also anticipates construction of an additional water tower in 2012 at a cost of $2 million. It is likely bonds sold will sold that have a 15-year payback.

Thanks to Area Residents

Residents of the Wyoming area were invited to give new children’s books or cash for the purchase of books for families with children in need. This project, “The Giving Tree”, was in partnership with the Chisago County Health and Human Service, a replica of what is done in Isanti County at the Cambridge Library. On December 17th, Heidi Neff, a Social Worker from Chisago County Health and Human Services, stopped to pick up books donated at the Giese Memorial Library of Wyoming. Rebecca Hostetler, Branch Librarian, said many people gave the gift of reading to children of families in need. Thirty-nine books were donated; $183.00 was collected for books to be purchased. Scout and Morgan Bookstore, an independent bookseller in Cambridge, offered a discount and thirty-three more books were purchased making a total of seventy-two books for children, infants through early teens. What a great response! Thanks to all who contributed! We’ll be doing it again next year!