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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 ,�� ' L ,
<br /> transition from hydroelectricity to ~"
<br /> diesel power,which required the / / a , '�'
<br /> system to be shut down for a few ,- -° ,,,,,� •' 'a, . ,a F
<br /> hours. A severe sleet storm forced i r *�•• o• _"'" ."�Iti, ,.cii
<br /> postponement for yet another week. *"`.._ • "f 1 - --1.--1't '',"'
<br /> Finally, at 8:10 on the morning of °o 0 j
<br /> March 7,the line with the Rural ^'°`;- ,, i t"
<br /> Cooperative Power Association was
<br /> severed. Kehne Electric brought in 11.,
<br /> twenty outside electricians to help the
<br /> local crew with the changeover. By -, -t
<br /> 9:30 a.m., the diesel engines were �K w,VEw.MINNESOTA
<br /> providing power to Elk River. Three 6 Y , Me °°
<br /> f �
<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 /> 59 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.
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