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New York Mills council holds closed session on police coverage; to reassess staffing in April
Summary
The council went into closed session March 10 to discuss police coverage until a new officer is hired; the meeting reopened with no action taken and Mayor Hetland said coverage will be reassessed at the April meeting. Chief Berndt reported 112 calls for service in February, underscoring staffing pressures.
The New York Mills City Council entered a closed session at 5:02 p.m. on March 10, 2026 to discuss police coverage arrangements while the department continues recruiting to fill a vacant officer position. The council reopened the meeting at 5:39 p.m. and took no formal action; Mayor Latham Hetland said police coverage will be reassessed at the council’s April meeting.
Police Chief Bobby Berndt had reported earlier in the meeting that the department responded to 112 calls for service in February, issued six parking tickets, filed four citations and made six arrests. Berndt also reported that Officer Tharaldson completed online training modules and that Berndt has been working an amended schedule pending the hiring of a new officer.
The minutes record the council’s discussion and the decision to delay any policy or staffing action until it can be reconsidered at the next meeting; no personnel actions or commitments were recorded in the minutes. The council adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
