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

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

The handcrafted restoration’s acceptance of Kasota’s $7,640 bid for work on Omsrud Thordson Torgrimson’s log cabin came on a motion by commissioner Jeff Veerkamp, ​​seconded by Dave Borchert.

Commissioner Scott Windschitl requested a future council report regarding the owners of antiques in the log cabin.

Brown County planning and zoning administrator Laine Sletta said the antiques have been photographed and staff will work with log cabin owners to determine who owns them. Brown County Administrator Sam Hansen said staff met with the Brown County Historical Society about antiquities.

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

Dietrich Log Home Restoration, Gibbon, offered $8,225 and Artisan Restoration, Kasota, offered $7,640 for repairs, including replacing a north wall sill log with a salvaged hewn log, using Dutchman hardwood and epoxy on four dovetails, up to 100 feet of masonry clinking repair, spraying exterior boron preservative on exterior logs and adding two coats of sealer Perma-Chink Advance Clear water. Additionally, Dietrich Log Home Restoration would seal the corner ends of the logs.

The commissioners also:

• Heard a public health update from Brown County Public Health Director Karen Moritz. She said public health has free flu shots, flu season usually extends through early April, and it’s not too late to get your flu shot.

Moritz did not yet have public health COVID-19 numbers as of Feb. 22, 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 testing kits for the needy had been sent to city offices.

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

Vaccinations for all ages are at the Public Health Office, 1117 Center St., New Ulm, are available 3-6 p.m. Tuesday and 2-4 p.m. Thursday.

“Most vaccinated and boosted individuals fare much better with COVID than those who don’t,” said Moritz. “We have the vaccine. It’s the best thing we have right now. »

• Learned from Brown County Social Services Director Barb Dietz that the 2021 Brown County Social Services Adopt-a-Family program included more than $25,000 in items donated by 52 organizations and individuals, plus 4,910 $.77 in cash.

• Learned that methamphetamines, alcohol and cocaine, opioids or whatever adults could get were the main types of chemical abuse involving child abuse, said Denise Kamm, protection supervisor of the Brown County childhood.

“It’s sad that so many children are being taken from their homes because of drug use compared to 10 years ago,” said Dietz. “Last year, we saw more families in Brown County from other counties and states with histories of child welfare issues.”

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

“Some staff have 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 take a step back. »

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

• Acceptance of 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 Director of Human Resources 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 is well-liked 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 District Attorney Chuck Hanson. “He gave up part of his office. He was really an asset.

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• Accepted the resignation of Adult Social Services Social Worker Lisa Langner on April 30, 2022 and authorized the posting of a full-time Social Worker position as per policy, motion of Dean Simonsen, seconded by Berg. Langer served Brown County for 27 years.