Two tires and rims from an irrigator the city of South Haven owns were stolen recently, Public Works Director Dan Dawson told the city council at its meeting Tuesday. Nov. 7.
The theft was discovered Friday, Oct. 20, by a farmer while he was combining soybeans in a field he rents from the city.
The irrigator is for wastewater by a pond site in a field at the southwest corner of the intersection of 90th Street NW and Pitman Avenue NW, said City Clerk Carol Banken.
Dawson said the theft was unusual in several ways. The two inside tires and rims were stolen, while the two outside wheels were untouched. The burglars did not drive through the field and the crops, but instead around the edge of it. And the lugnuts were put back on the studs, and where the missing wheels were was put up on blocks.
"It was a very considerate burglar," Dawson said jokingly.
The theft was reported to the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, and a claim has been filed with the insurance company.
South Haven has replaced the tires and rims, at a cost of $2,460.
In other matters
In other items, the city council:
■ Noted that the uneven cement on the loading area behind the post office building has been repaired.
The city owns the building that houses the post office, and had received a letter from a U.S. Postal Service representative Aug. 14 citing "deep cracks and uneven concrete in the carrier loading area" that constituted a tripping hazard.
South Haven hired Central Minnesota Concrete Cutting of Clearwater to grind down the concrete and smooth it out, and the work was to the post office’s satisfaction.
■ Was told by Dawson that the wastewater ponds and park have been winterized.
The tree across from the fire hall was removed, as are trees in the alley between Fairhaven Avenue and Lincoln Avenue on the 400 block. Those trees were causing issues for fire trucks.
■ Learned that two members of the fire department had taken one-year leaves of absence, while the four new department members are undergoing emergency training in Buffalo that will be completed Dec. 6.
Laney said the department’s rescue rig was having new lights installed, and that the fire department fielded a lot of rescue calls in October.
■ Appointed council member Norm Bodeker to explore putting up a park bench and a sign at the VFW Memorial Park.
The city is considering either a bench with engraving, or a plaque separate from the bench. Council member Karleen Baker suggested armrests for the bench. The city has plans to install benches in the park area.