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utilities, creating a Water, Light, Power, and Building Commission to"be in entire charge of the <br /> public utilities in the village from now on, including the water department, the municipal light <br /> and power and the public buildings." The resolution empowered the three-member commission <br /> to fix rates, adopt rules and regulations, employ workers, enter into contracts to extend and <br /> modify existing utilities, and purchase fuel and supplies. In accordance with state law, <br /> commission members were appointed for staggered three-year terms. They served without <br /> compensation. While Skellinger might have found the Council's schedule too demanding, he felt <br /> sufficiently fit to become the Utility Commissions first president. Otis Nickerson was appointed <br /> for a two-year term, and Cleeland Meyers for three years.59 <br /> The Commission's first challenge was to complete the new plant. Six bricklayers were at work <br /> on the new building by July. The summer's low water level was further reduced in August, <br /> bringing Lake Orono's surface to about four feet below normal. This facilitated renovation of the <br /> dam, including replacement of the flashboards and installation of discharge and suction lines <br /> through the dam for the new diesel engines. A dry spell slowed the reservoir's replenishment <br /> when work on the dam was complete, greatly reducing the hydroelectric plant's output for nearly <br /> three months. The diesel engines were anticipated to arrive in August and be in operation by <br /> October. Because of a number of delays,however, including two nearly fatal accidents at the <br /> construction site, the new plant was not ready to go until the end of February 1948.60 <br /> A Sunday morning was chosen for the <br /> transition from hydroelectricity to <br /> dieselower,which required the , <br /> P � q _ <br /> system to be shut down for afew <br /> .J <br /> hours. A severe sleet storm forced <br /> postponement for yet another week. <br /> Finally, at 8:10 on the morning of <br /> March 7, the line with the Rural <br /> Cooperative Power Association was <br /> severed. Kehne Electric brought inF <br /> twenty outside electricians to help the <br /> local crew with the changeover. By <br /> 9:30 a.m., the diesel engines were <br /> ELK RIVER,MINNESOTA <br /> providing power to Elk River. Three <br /> hours later, electric service was also <br /> returned in Zimmerman, Dayton, and Diesel engines in 1948 <br /> surrounding rural areas. "For the first (Elk River Municipal Utilities) <br /> time in nearly thirty years," the <br /> 19 See Appendix A for the resolution creating the commission. The quote is from"Water,Light and Building <br /> Commission Formed Locally,"Sherburne County Star News,July 10, 1947. <br /> 60"Financial Statement,Municipal Water,Light&Power Commission,"in Sherburne County Star News,March 4, <br /> 1948;William Patenaude,"Record of Elk River Power Plant including the Fifth Expansion to Original Plant,"typed <br /> memorandum dated 8/14/72,in the files of the Elk River Municipal Utilities;Transcript of hearing for tax <br /> abatement,4;Seelhammer and Mosher, Growth of Sherburne County,493-94. <br /> 16 <br />