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Gem Lake News Page 3 of 8
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<br /> What is “Smart Salting”?
<br />Smart salting is a new phrase that you may be hearing
<br />these days. The concept refers to being thoughtful about
<br />your use of winter salting to maintain groundwater quality
<br />and help the environment.
<br />According to the Vadnais Lake Area Water Management
<br />Organization (VLAWMO), you can keep outdoor surfaces,
<br />such as sidewalks, safe, while keeping groundwater
<br />clean. VLAWMO points out that one teaspoon of salt
<br />permanently pollutes five gallons of freshwater. Chlorides
<br />found in road salt are harmful to wildlife, soil and
<br />groundwater. They also disrupt the seasonal lake cycles
<br />that make our lakes enjoyable, and corrode cars, bridges
<br />and streets.
<br />Sometimes salt is needed to make sidewalks and
<br />entryways safe for everyday use. When necessary, salt
<br />can be used in a smarter way by adopting the motto:
<br />Shovel, Select, Scatter, Sweep.
<br />Shovel
<br />Store shovels and tools in convenient
<br />locations before winter weather strikes.
<br />Consider both a scoop and push shovel
<br />for maximum preparedness. Use tools
<br />first: shovel, scraper or broom.
<br />Select
<br />Select a de-icing product carefully, depending on
<br />temperature, and allow for the expected melt time. Use
<br />sand or grit for temporary traction.
<br />Scatter
<br />Use salt only where it’s critical, striving for 3” between
<br />crystals. Plan ahead and practice to make smart
<br />estimates quick and easy. Plan for the space you expect
<br />to maintain during the winter and keep a 12-ounce cup in
<br />a convenient place with the salt storage. Cover storage
<br />buckets or store salt indoors to keep it dry.
<br />Disperse salt and other deicers evenly, without piles. The
<br />goal is not to form a blanket, but to break the bonds of
<br />ice/compacted snow. Once salt crystals infiltrate the
<br />ice/compacted snow, a scraper can chop and scrape the
<br />surface. Shoveling off ice chunks reduces the need to re-
<br />apply. Salt that is diluted with meltwater becomes less
<br />effective: re-freezing occurs and raises the risk for falls.
<br />More products don’t mean faster results. The chemical
<br />reaction depends on temperature. Excess product
<br />remains in meltwater and runoff. Never apply deicers to
<br />dry pavement or loose snow.
<br />Sweep
<br />Sweep up extra salt, sand and grit. Salt and grit can be
<br />re-used, but sand will likely lose its traction and should be
<br />thrown in the trash.
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<br />Municipal Water (continued from page 1)
<br />Street Preliminary Cost
<br />Labore Road (approx. 2,100 LF) $651,200
<br />Goose Lake Road (approx. 3,100 LF) $821,300
<br />Remaining Streets (approx. 3,700 LF) $893,500
<br />Project Total (8,900 LF) $2,366,900
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<br />The approximate costs of Phase I would be $2,366,900
<br />to service the areas described above. (See diagram) This
<br />could be paid for through federal grants, a grant from the
<br />City of Gem Lake in the amount of $200,000, and
<br />approximate funding from resident special assessments
<br />of about $668,000. The potential budget shortfall for the
<br />project that was discussed at the Neighborhood meeting
<br />on January 12 was made up by a second Federal Grant
<br />that was recently awarded to the city.
<br />The special assessments of benefitting properties would
<br />range from approximately $13,000 to $16,000 per
<br />residential dwelling and approximately 10% of appraised
<br />value of commercial properties. Assessment would be
<br />spread over 10-15 years, to be determined by the City
<br />Council.
<br />Each property would be responsible for connection costs
<br />from the connection point in the street right of way.
<br />Directional drilling costs for water service to the dwelling
<br />or building roof be approximately $60 per linear foot and
<br />about $2,500 for internal connection, which includes the
<br />installation of a water meter compatible with the City of
<br />Vadnais Heights water system. Irrigation regulations
<br />would be required by the Minnesota DNR. Once
<br />connected to the water system, a property would be
<br />required to seal their well at their own expense.
<br />Connections would be required in a time period
<br />determined by the city, typically 5-10 years.
<br />There are a variety of steps required to move the process
<br />along, which are going to be determined primarily by
<br />funding concerns. For instance, the City would next need
<br />to receive the feasibility report and order formal public
<br />hearings. After holding the public hearings, the city could
<br />order the improvements to proceed. Next the City would
<br />approve final plans and order an ad for the bids to be
<br />published. After opening for bids, receiving bids and
<br />awarding a contract for construction, the improvements
<br />would take place. The earliest this would happen would
<br />be from February to October of this year. Depending on
<br />funding options, this could also happen in the same time
<br />frame of 2027.
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