Construction season is here

HARTINGTON – The sounds of hammers and saws should be heard throughout Hartington this spring and summer.

The Hartington City Council Monday approved building permits for two new houses and a new garage.

The Council granted a permit to Jon and Janet Wiechelman for a house at 308 East Main Street.

The Council also granted a permit to Fred and Hannah Schneider for a new house at 108 W. Ken Miller Circle.

Marvin Johnson was granted a building permit for a new garage at his residence at 303 N. Aberly.

Council members also approved sign permits for a free standing sign and for a sign to be located on the new Security Bank building under construction on south Highway 57.

In other action, the Council approved the sale of city-owned land to Richard and Geralda Heikes. They purchased the former community garden on East Main Street for the minimum auction bid of $15,000.

The Council also heard updates on several of Hartington's recreation facilities.

Councilman Roman Sudbeck said he has been talking with representatives from several companies about getting the all-weather track redone at the Hartington Community Complex.

It appears their are two good options for the track, which will soon be 20 years old, Sudbeck said.

One option would be to resurface the track, which would give it a 20-year lifespan. The other option would provide a 40-year lifespan, he said, but would also cost nearly double the money. Current estimates have the resurfacing at $400,000 to $450,000 and the new post-tension track at around $700,000.

Sudbeck also received an estimate of approximately $2,500 to update the public address system at the Community Complex. The update would include putting speakers on top of the press box and possibly putting a speaker in the shot put and discus area, he said.

Sudbeck said Cedar Catholic Principal Dan Hoesing is working with the Hartington Community Foundation in an effort to get a grant to try to help pay for the track update.

He also said the new storage building and restroom at the Complex baseball-softball fields is nearly complete.

Also Monday, the Council accepted the resignation of Drake Turner from the Hartington Volunteer Fire Department.