2022 October - Fall Newsletter• NEW—apply online —www.cityofscandia.com/BurnPermit
• Fire Prevention Open House at the Scandia Fire station October 11th, 5-7 pm with demonstrations throughout the evening & Scandia
Marines Lions providing food.
• Mark your driveway or mailbox with at least 2” reflective numbers
(visible from either direction) for fire, police, ambulance & other
public safety members to quickly find your home in the event of an
emergency. Additional markings are needed for shared driveways
and mailbox clusters. See City Ordinance 152.20 on the city’s
website for specifications of identification (www.cityofscandia.com)
• Driveways must be accessible to fire engines. These trucks must
have a clear path that is 12’ wide by 14’ tall. Tree branches damage
our vehicles responding to your home in times of crisis.
All Scandia residents vote at the
Community Center, 14727 209th Street
North. Polls open at 7:00 a.m. and close
at 8:00 p.m. For voters unable to enter
the Community Center, curbside voting
is offered. In this case, the voter can
request that a ballot is brought out to
their vehicle. This service is also
offered at all early voting sites.
Early Voting Now Underway— In-
person absentee and ballot drop off
runs through Nov. 7 at five Vote Center
locations across Washington County
during regular business hours Monday
through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and
on Saturday, November 5th from 8 a.m.
to 3 p.m. The nearest locations are the
Headwaters Service Center in Forest
Lake and the Government Center in
Stillwater. Absentee ballots are not
available at the Scandia city office.
Residents may also request that a ballot
be mailed to them. Voters may apply
for an absentee ballot online at
MNVotes.org or call Washington
County Elections at 651-430-6190 to
have the application mailed to your
residence. Voters are encouraged to
submit absentee ballot applications
early. Absentee ballots cannot be dropped off at Scandia City Hall.
For city offices, Scandia will elect a
Mayor and two City Council members.
Candidates for city offices in the
order they appear on the ballot are—
Mayor: Christine Maefsky
Council member: Christopher
Massicotte Johnson, Jerry Cusick, Lori
Lavin, Michael Lubke, Donald Baber
For more election information including
sample ballots, along with links to
downloadable registration and
absentee ballot application forms,
please see the City website at
www.cityofscandia.com/Elections
Election Day: Tuesday, November 8th
Page 2
CITY OF SCANDIA
Scandia Parks & Recreation will offer ice skating
classes in January for elementary school students.
1. Learn to Skate—Beginner / Advanced
2. Pleasure Skate
3. Hockey Skills
Watch for registration to open in December!
Scandia Fire & Rescue
Scandia’s efforts to
expand high speed
broadband service
continues in 2022
and 2023.
T h i s y e a r ’ s
construction will
reach approximately
160 households and be provided by
MidCo. The project is underway now
with completion by late fall. Check at this
website to determine if you are within the
expansion areas: www.midco.com/
about/service-areas/scandia/
For 2023 Scandia has allocated $432,000
in local funding for another expansion
and requested MidCo provide a plan for
the city’s approval, including additional
outside grant money where possible.
Additionally, Scandia has sent a letter
supporting Frontier Communications’
grant application to the State of Minnesota
to upgrade Frontier’s service in Scandia
to fiber from the older DSL lines.
Scandia’s Internet Action Committee has
been working since 2020 with the goal of
bringing high speed broadband to all of
Scandia within 5 years. The work
continues and is on pace.
High Speed Internet Expansion Progress Report – Fall 2022
Kids Winter Programming
Planning Commission News:
A recent Solar Survey, asking residents to
express their views of solar farms in Scandia,
garnered 207 responses. Ten nonresidents
answered also. Questions were asked
regarding the number of projects allowed,
screening and permitting requirements, and
the effects of solar on the environment.
Responses were split between those
approving the projects and those opposed,
with a small percentage reporting neutral
views. A deeper evaluation of the results and
suggestions for consideration by the Planning
Commission and Council is in process.
Earlier this year, Council issued a moratorium
on new solar farm development and tasked
the Planning Commission with reviewing the
ordinance for possible changes. Results of the
public survey will help guide that report.
Remodeling? Adding a storage shed? Any new
project—check out the NEW DEVELOPMENT CODE
information that will go in effect October 12, 2022—
www.cityofscandia.com/CodeUpdate
New Development Code
Best of Scandia Holiday
Shopping Extravaganza!
Page 3
VOLUME 16, ISSUE 2
It is that time of year to think about
fall preparations for winter. Many of
us are busy splitting wood, fall
planting, or watching the fall colors
appear. The Public Works
Department is busy as well,
transitioning to winter operations.
Currently, staff are mowing
vegetation in the Right Of Way
(ROW) and will begin tree
trimming to allow Sven, Ole, and
Lena (our mainline plow trucks) the
space required to clear snow and
ice safely from the roadways.
Please help prepare the ROW for
winter as well. Do not park or store
extra vehicles, trailers or other
seasonal items in the ROW to be
buried in snow.
Consider replacing your mailbox
support with the swing-arm style,
as these are designed with impact
in mind. They swing out of the way
if a vehicle or snow from the plow
blade comes in contact with the
mailbox. Specifications are
available on the city’s website at:
www.cityofscandia.com/Mailbox
Contact the local post office for
details of where to place any
mailbox.
Clear culverts are key to
preventing flooded ditches and
roadways later when winter snows
begin to melt and spring
rains start. Please help clear culvert
openings on either side of your
driveway by removing brush, sand
or soil, and fallen leaves.
Remember to avoid stacking snow
at either end of your culvert.
Cut back landscaped plant material
close to or above the roadway and
cover any delicate plants if you
have special landscaping in the
ROW. This will help both your
plants and plow operators.
Garbage and Recycling containers
slow down the snow removal
process. In times of snow, please
place these at the end of your
driveway in a cleared area.
Receptacles in the roadway or
snow bank are safety hazards,
making it difficult to completely
clear snow from the roadway.
If you are connected to one of the
City’s septic systems, please do not
park seasonal vehicles, docks, or
trailers near the settling tanks or lift
tanks. In the event any maintenance
or repair is required, clear access
to these structures dramatically
increases Public Works response to
issues and decreases down time of
your service.
Wishing everyone a safe fall and
winter.
The Best of Scandia Holiday Shopping Extravaganza is Sunday, November 27th
from noon—5 p.m. as part of Scandia’s Vinterlights. Mark your calendars as this
event is not to be missed! In addition to the fabulous local artisans, this year’s
event will have free gift wrapping available and a free Tomte tree ornament given
to the first 300 shoppers.
October 31 * 5-7 pm,
Safe Halloween
Event at the Scandia
Fire Station
Scandia-Marine Lions providing
food, and candy will be handed out.
Scandia Public Works Scandia Evening
Adventures
Shop, Eat, & Be Merry! You are invited on
October 20, November 17, and December 14 to
explore the various specials offered at select
Scandia businesses between 5-8pm. Local
businesses may vary each month but we’re
working with Abrahamson Nursery,
Apothecary’s Daughter, Countryside Art Studio,
Dickens Pickins, Gammelgarden, Garden Gate
at Crabtrees, Prairie Restoration, and Rustic
Roots Winery. If your business is interested in
participating, contact Sue Dickens at
sjdickens2000@yahoo.com. We would love to
add you to the fun! Adventurous Shoppers?
Check out www.cityofscandia/Adventures for
specific detail updates.
Scandia was awarded an Outdoor Recreation Grant
from the DNR to replace the playground at the
Community Center. Public Works staff have
removed the old structures. Fall installation plans
include: playground curbing, picnic area concrete
pad, and sidewalk connecting the parking lot to the
picnic area and playground. The new playground
structure, rubberized and wood chip surfaces are
planned to be installed in the Spring of 2023. These
improvements add ADA accessibility to the park.
The City is accepting park donations for this project
from residents and businesses until December 31,
2022. Donations will be invested in additional
amenities that may include: shade trees, benches,
tables, outdoor exercise equipment, or play
structures. Decisions on how to best utilize
additional funding will be considered in January of
2023. Please contact City Hall at 651-433-2274 if you
are interested in donating.
Playground Update
The Parks and Recreation Committee invite you to consider providing a
Memorial Bench in Lilleskogen Park in honor of a special friend or
relative.
To find out more, go to
www.cityofscandia.com/
ParkBench or contact
staff during regular
business hours —
(651) 433-2274.
Memorial Park Bench Program
October
• October 4, Cinnamon Bun Day, 6-8 a.m.
• October 10, Columbus Day Observed— Office Closed
• October 11, Fire Department Open House, 5-7 p.m.
• October 15, Lions Pancake Breakfast, 8-11:00 a.m.
• October 20, Scandia Evening Adventures, 5-8 p.m.
• October 20-23, 2nd Annual Second Hand Swedish Sale, Gammelgarden
• October 31, Safe Halloween at the Fire Hall, 5-7 p.m.
November
• November 2, Butik at Gammelgarden opens, W-Sat—10 a.m.—4 p.m., Sun1-4 p.m. until December 23rd
• November 8, Election Day, 7am-8pm
• November 11, Veterans Day Observed—Office Closed
• November 17, Scandia Evening Adventures, 5-8 p.m.
• November 18, Turkey Bingo, 7 p.m.
• November 24 and 25, Thanksgiving Holiday—Office Closed
• November 27, Vinterlights!
• November 27 Scandia Holiday Shopping Extravaganza, 12—5 p.m., Community Center
December • December 7, Public Hearing, 2023 City Budget and Tax Levy, 6:30 p.m.
• December 5, Lions Blood Drive, Community Center, 12-6 p.m.
• December 10, Lions Breakfast with Santa, 8-11:30 a.m.
• December 11, Lucia Dagen, Gammelgarden
• December 15, Scandia Evening Adventures, 5-8 p.m.
• December 24 and 26, Christmas Holiday—Office Closed
January
• January 2, New Year’s Day Observed -- Office Closed
• January 16, Martin Luther King Day— Office Closed
February
• February 4, Vinterfest
• February 4, Lions Pancake Breakfast, 8-11:30 a.m.
• February 20, Presidents’ Day— Office Closed
March
• March 12, Daylight Savings Time Begins
For more information and a City meeting calendar, see: www.cityofscandia.com
CITY OF SCANDIA
Dedicated to Rural Community Values
City of Scandia
Scandia Community/
Senior Center
14727 209th Street North
Scandia, MN 55073
Phone: 651.433.2274
Fax: 651.433.5112
E-mail:
mail@ci.scandia.mn.us
Hours: Monday thru Friday
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
City Council:
Christine Maefsky, Mayor
651.433.2684
Patti Ray
612.812.5590
Jerry Cusick
651.433.5865
Heather Benson
651.433.0168
Steve Kronmiller
651.538.0094
Regular Council Meeting:
Third Tuesday, 7:00 p.m.
Council Work Session:
First Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.
Planning Commission:
First Tuesday, 7:00 p.m.
City Staff:
Ken Cammilleri, Administrator
Brenda Eklund, City Clerk
Colleen Firkus, Treasurer
Brenda “Bee” Stignani,
Office Assist, Parks & Rec Coord
Charles Fischer,
Director of Public Works
Mike Hinz, Fire Chief
Chris Nelson, Attorney
Eckberg Lammers
Ryan Goodman, Engineer
Bolton & Menk
Evan Monson, Planner, TKDA
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE PAID Scandia, MN
55073
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Most Up-to-Date Information
OCTOBER 2022 VOLUME 16, ISSUE 2
CITY OF SCANDIA
Internet Expansion Update 2
Election News 2
Planning Commission News 2
Kids Winter Skating Classes 2
New Development Code 2
Parks Open House 2
Fire & Rescue News 2
Best of Scandia Extravaganza 3
Public Works News 3
Scandia Evening Adventures 3
Playground Update 3
Memorial Park Bench Program 3
Community Calendar 4
A twice-yearly publication for residents of the City of Scandia, Minnesota
Message From the Mayor
Volunteers are the heart of our Scandia community. From the Scandia-
Marine Lions Club comprised of members who support families, individuals,
and community organizations in the Scandia/Marine/May Township area
including giving scholarships to our graduating high school students and
dictionaries each year to Scandia Elementary 3rd Grade students, providing emergency assistance and
performing hands-on community work and service projects to our Scandia Fire and Rescue Squad - men and
women volunteer firefighters who make innumerable sacrifices in order to serve our community, to committee
volunteers such as those of the Park and Recreation Committee, Economic Development Authority, Tourism
Committee, Internet Action Committee, Sister City Committee, and many other individual groups. The Scandia
Heritage Alliance which has successfully been moving forward with projects to preserve and celebrate Scandia’s rich history,
culture, arts and rural character. The Gateway Trail into Scandia initiative which was, in August, successful in being recommended
by the state LCCMR committee which makes funding recommendations to the legislature for special environment and natural
resource projects to receive $2,689,000 for a trail from the Scandia Village Center to William O’Brien State Park. Then there are local
neighborhood volunteer groups such as the Big Marine Lake Association and the Bone Lake Association, elementary school
volunteers, church volunteers and Gammelgarden volunteers.
I encourage you to look for ways to volunteer in Scandia. Volunteering is good for mind and body. It strengthens your ties to the
community and broadens your support network, it exposes you to people with common interests, neighborhood resources, and fun,
fulfilling activities.
Call the Scandia city office, 651-433-2274, or reach out to me at 651-433-2684 to inquire about available volunteer opportunities.
Wishing you a wonderful fall and winter.
Christine Maefsky
Mayor
Inside
This
Issue:
Vinterfest: February 4, 2023.
Family friendly events all day.
Check the City’s website and the
Country Messenger for event
updates in early January.
Exciting Sister City News
Scandia’s Sister City Committee is learning
how to form a robust and lasting relationship
with the good people of our Sister City in
Mellerud, Sweden. The two international
committees meet together every two months
in an online meeting. Lucky for Scandia that
Sweden teaches English from an early age!
The two committees are working on setting up
a visitor exchange program where people
sign up to host a couple or family from
Mellerud Sweden, in Scandia. Mellerud
residents would host a Scandia couple or
family. We hope
this program will facilitate more tourism in
both towns and a fun learning experience
about our two cultures. If you are interested in
hosting, please get in touch with Patti Ray at
p.ray@ci.scandia.mn.us.
Both committees have also agreed to host a
joint anniversary celebration of signing the
Sister City Charter, complete with a much-
loved FIKA with lots of sweet pastries, on April
20, 2023.
Look for the new Sister City highway signs
coming soon to Scandia highways!
The City of Scandia was tentatively
awarded a $2.7 million grant for the
engineering and construction of a
segment of the Gateway State Trail from
the Environment and Natural Resources
Trust Fund (ENRTF) as recommended
by the Legislative-Citizen Commission
on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) this
year. The project will connect the
Scandia Village Center (behind
Meister’s Bar and Grill) to William
O'Brien State Park within the next 3-5
years. This project coincides with
planned improvements to enhance
state park accessibility. In the long-
term, this trail segment will be part of
the connection between the Capital and
Duluth. This phase of the project will
include a pedestrian tunnel under
Oakhill Road N (CR-52) and 2,000 feet
of recreational trail. The project will
ultimately connect to trails within the
state park. The City is providing staff
support and land for a trailhead
parking lot.
Gateway Trail Update