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Plans begin for PR sewer plant upgrade [UPDATED]
Published 9:40am Friday, September 28, 2012 Updated 11:43am Friday, September 28, 2012Pelican Rapids is applying for grant and loan programs to fund the $6.3 million upgrade to its wastewater treatment system.
The council agreed that the seven-point upgrade should be pursued all at once instead of breaking it into phases.
The most costly items on the list of improvements include new aerobic digesters for $1.5 million, new secondary treatment equipment for $1.48 million and a new treatment building with a new lift station for $1.4 million.
It is still unknown when the project will take place, but the city will need to have plans prepared by March 2013 in order to apply for a loan program through the Public Facilities Authority, which has the potential to lend with only a 1 percent interest rate, the Pelican Rapids Press reported.
Perham Health switching to electronic records syste
Patients can expect delays at first from Perham Health facilities in New York Mills, Ottertail and Perham, but after a new electronic medical records system is caught up, it will be more convenient for both providers and patients.
One Chart is a new system that will be put in place beginning Oct. 1. The transition period may take a while, but the hope is that it will improve efficiency in the long run. One Chart will make it easier to transfer information to specialists in other cities, and patients will be able to see their own lab results and request prescription renewals online.
While medical record communication will be faster and easier, the new system will still provide necessary safety precautions.
In order to help speed things up during the transition period, Perham Health will bring in extra staff throughout October, according to the East Otter Tail Focus.
Two more informational meetings to be held on BL natural gas project
All are invited to attend the two upcoming open houses to discuss and ask questions about the Battle Lake natural gas project.
Visitors are asked to bring their current annual gallon or kWh usage to help determine if a switch to natural gas would be beneficial.
The two remaining open houses are scheduled for 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4 and Monday, Oct. 8. at Battle Lake City Hall, the Battle Lake Review reported.
