WESTBROOK, Minnesota (STPNS) --     westbrook  — Last year the council considered installing a moss filtering system in the local swimming pool. The technology is relatively new, but many bigger cities are converting to the new system, and are reporting significant savings, and a healthier swimming environment.

    Mayor Rocky Kolar reported on  a recent fact finding trip to Mankato and St. Peter to visit with pool officials where the system is being used. He told the council, at the pools he checked, the people were well satisfied with the results. The savings on chemical  expense using the moss system, at those pools, ranged from 60 to 70 percent.



    According to former street supervisor Dan Joel and street supervisor Carl Conrad, the three filter grids need replacing, at a cost of about $1,500 each. If they replace them with sand filters it would save a considerable amount for chemicals.

    To install the moss filters would cost about $6,000 including installation. Another $5,000 would be needed to replace the grid filters with sand filters. Making the total cost about $11,000.

    The moss filters are much more environmentally friendly. It reduces the chlorine to the point it is less damaging to swim wear, and people, with  asthma, that swim in moss filtered pools notice far less symptoms.

    The council members felt if they are going  to get it done in time for the swimming season they will  have to move quickly. The council voted unanimously to approve the purchase of  the moss system  and sand filters. They will use some funds left from the Peterson estate to purchase the equipment.

    Pool manager Lairdie Kells told the council Aalex Kells will offer life guard training class for new guards. Also she will  have all of the guards  take  the new C.P.R.  class, due to significant changes in the C.P.R.  method.

    Kells is planning to try a swim class at 5:00 in the afternoon, if enough sign up for it. Swimming lessons begin on June 4.

    The council reviewed the city budget audit report for 2011. Kolar said “almost all departments were on  budget.” It was noted the ambulance fund had a fairly large amount of accounts receivable outstanding.  

    Jan Johnson did not know for sure why that was, except that payments often are late coming in.

Also they don’t always receive full reimbursement from different agencies.

    Mayor Kolar told the council the city received an email from the auditor complementing the way the city finances are being handled.

    Librarian, Kari Ourada, reported to the council that of the 1,558 persons in the area, 973 are registered at the library. The library averages 26 patrons each day. With the local participation of the Winter Reading program the library has won the Winter Reading award 7 out of the  past 10 years.

    Ourada also reported the board is looking at carpet samples for the library addition. They are about $5,000 short of the goal for the addition.

    The council approved a contract with Jorgenson Farms for city land rental. It was set at  $125 per acre plus shares for three years. At a meeting Friday morning the EDA voted to accept the cash rent proposal.

    Signs will be put up at the city campground telling about rates and where to leave payments.

    March Police Report:

    Three accidents; five unlocked doors; two funeral escorts; one case county attorney; one county assist traffic County Road 7; one residence check; call residence on 9th Street - carbon  monoxide tester failure - cleared residence checked for any leaks of appliances; issue with north siren failure, manually checked unit - determined it was on the county dispatch terminal; one call to residence of dog bite to child - owners own dog; one incident of crank phone call; two noise complaints - one on Fourth Street and one on Columbus Ave.