Baxter seeks to gauge interest in regional waste treatment system

BAXTER -- The city of Baxter will host a meeting later this month to find out if its neighboring cities would be interested in a regional waste treatment system.

The meeting has been set for 7 p.m. June 22 at Baxter City Hall.

The decision was made one day after the Brainerd City Council voted to bypass Baxter with its East Gull Lake sewer line.

Baxter City Administrator Larry Kruse said city staff met with engineer James Bullert of B.A. Liesch Tuesday afternoon to discuss sewer treatment options for Baxter. Baxter currently pays Brainerd for sewer treatment.

After a lengthy discussion at that meeting, the group decided that Baxter should host a meeting with representatives from Pillager, Nisswa, East Gull Lake, Colonel's Brainerd International Raceway, Brainerd, Brainerd Public Utilities Commission, area major resorts and other large users to open discussion about a regional treatment system. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency was also asked to participate.

The B.A. Liesch engineering firm will put together some preliminary information regarding the cost of a new treatment facility and estimated rates. A regional wastewater treatment system would allow for regional representation on a governing board, said Kruse.

East Gull Lake Mayor Dan Collins said today he would be in favor of a regional treatment system that would allow cities to be represented on a governing board. He said he plans to attend the meeting and is hoping that the entire East Gull Lake City Council will be able to attend.