Staff photo by Fritz Busch Brown County commissioners unanimously approved a $7,640 low bid by Artisan Restoration of Kasota Tuesday for repairs on the Omsrud Thordson-Torgrimson log cabin in Lake Hanska County Park. The cabin built in about 1857 by the families, is a memorial to all Norwegian pioneers who were the first Europeans to permanently settle in the area.

NEW ULM — Brown County commissioners unanimously approved low bid repairs to a 165-year-old log cabin at Lake Hanska County Park Tuesday.

Acceptance of Artisan Restoration of Kasota’s $7,640 bid for work on the Omsrud Thordson Torgrimson log cabin came on a motion by Commissioner Jeff Veerkamp, seconded by Dave Borchert.

Commissioner Scott Windschitl asked for a future board report regarding the owners of antiques in the log cabin.

Brown County Planning & Zoning Administrator Laine Sletta said the antiques were photographed and staff will work with the log cabin owners to determinate who owns them. Brown County Administrator Sam Hansen said staff met with the Brown County Historical Society regarding the antiques.

County staff recommended collecting donations before work is done and that the total amount of work does not exceed donations.

Dietrich Log Home Restoration, Gibbon, bid $8,225 and Artisan Restoration, Kasota, bid $7,640 for repair work, including replacing a north wall sill log with reclaimed hewn log, using hardwood Dutchman and epoxy on four dove tails, up to 100 feet of masonry clinking repair, spraying exterior boron preservative on exterior logs and adding two coats of Perma-Chink Advance Clear Water-based Sealer. In addition, Dietrich Log Home Restoration would seal corner log ends.

Commissioners also:

• Heard a public health update from Brown County Public Health Director Karen Moritz. She said public health has free flu shots available, that flu season generally reaches into early April and that it is not too late to get a flu shot.

Moritz did not have Feb. 22 public health COVID-19 numbers yet, but said as of Feb. 18, there were 158 new cases, seven new hospitalizations and three new deaths reported in Brown County.

She said home test kits for the needy have gone out to city offices.

“We still have low (COVID-19) booster (shot) uptake rates,” Moritz said.

Vaccinations for all ages are at the public health office, 1117 Center St., New Ulm, are available 3-6 p.m. Tuesdays and 2-4 p.m. Thursdays.

“Most vaccinated and boosted individuals do much better with COVID than those without it,” said Moritz. “We have vaccine. It’s the best thing we have right now.”

• Learned from Brown County Human Services Director Barb Dietz that the Brown County Human Services 2021 Adopt a Family Program included more than $25,000 worth of donated items from 52 organizations and individuals plus $4,910.77 in cash.

• Learned that methamphetamines, alcohol and cocaine, opioids or whatever adults could get were the leading types of chemical abuse involving child maltreatment, Brown County Child Protection Supervisor Denise Kamm said.

“It’s sad so many kids are removed from homes due to drug use compared to 10 years ago,” Dietz said. “In the last year, we’ve seen more families in Brown County from other counties and states with a history of child protection issues.”

“Thank you for your hard, emotional work,” said county lay-board member Deann Gieseke.

“Some staff left due to their own well being. They just couldn’t do it anymore,” Kamm said. “Threats have been made against our families. Sometimes, you have to step back.”

“I think the team works very well together,” Dietz said.

• Accepted the resignation/retirement of Brown County Probation Director Les Schultz on April 1, 2022, motion by Borchert, seconded by Windschitl.

Schultz served Brown County for more than 29 years. County Administrator Hansen and human resource director Schaefer will discuss the recruitment and selection process for the position with Brown County District Court Judge Robert Docherty.

“Les has been here a long time. He’s appreciated and respected in the office and throughout the State,” said Commissioner Tony Berg.

“He (Schultz) helped me with the transition when I started here,” said Brown County Attorney Chuck Hanson. “He gave up part of his office. He’s really been an asset.”

County

• Accepted the resignation of adult human services social worker Lisa Langner on April 30, 2022 and authorize posting a full-time social worker position according to policy, motion by Dean Simonsen, seconded by Berg. Langer served Brown County for 27 years.