The smoke from six outdoor wood burners/boilers was enough to convince the Inver Grove Heights City Council to approve the first reading of an ordinance prohibiting the devices. Even though city staff didn't agree about whether to recommend prohibiting the boilers or just to regulate the six that are known to be in the city, the council voted unanimously to shut down the existing boilers and not allow new ones, which have been called nuisances by neighbors because of their billowing smoke.
"We can't legislate the wind or the smoke," said Richard Elbert, 64, of Inver Grove Heights. "It can't be done. You can't control the smoke after it leaves the stack. Toxins are not impressed by anybody's setbacks."
Several residents and environmentalists spoke at last week's city council meeting about the negative effects of outdoor wood burners and boilers.
"Allowing existing outdoor wood boilers to continue to harm others is like allowing some people to smoke in a bar or restaurant despite restrictions and the evidence of harm," said Julie Mellum of Take Back the Air, a Minneapolis group that works to address neighborhood pollution.
Boilers can cost thousands of dollars and are used to heat homes.
If the ordinance is approved, residents who already have the devices would have about a year to take them down.
PRIOR LAKE
Compost site is still taking yard waste
The Shakopee Mdewakan-ton Sioux Community's compost site, which is open to Prior Lake residents two Saturdays a month, is expected to remain open through at least November 13, and possibly longer, depending on weather and demand.
The compost site is open to Prior Lake residents from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month. Prior Lake residents drop off an average of 30 loads per day at the site, the tribe said.
