Preparing Your Home for Winter

Fall is the best time of year to begin preparing your home for winter! The City of Monticello Building Safety Department would like to share the following tips that have the potential to save you money and time once the snow begins to fly.

1. Clean gutters and downspouts. While you’re hanging up your holiday lights, take the time to check your gutters, roof, and fascia for damage! Leaves and other debris can clog gutters. The debris can become wet and may hold moisture that can freeze when the temperature drops. This freeze-thaw cycle can damage the gutters, fascia, and roof. The debris may also result in overflows during thawing periods. The best time to clean the gutters is after the majority of the leaves have dropped from trees. Make sure the downspouts and any extensions are directed away from foundation since saturated soil increases the risk of damaging frost heave and/or leaks in the basement.  
2. Prepare exterior plumbing. Don’t forget to turn off the outdoor faucets using the interior shut-off valve and drain the water from the pipe to the exterior. Also, disconnect and drain garden hoses and sump pump discharge hoses. Hoses connected to the exterior of the home can freeze, and that freeze can follow the hose back into the wall and burst the pipe inside. Prevent this from happening by installing foam insulated faucet covers.  
3. Heating checkup. Have your furnace and fireplaces professionally serviced to ensure they are working at peak efficiency. Also, change the furnace filter. Make sure exterior openings are clean and clear. High efficiency furnaces use PVC vents and intakes that exit the exterior wall near ground level. Check for obstructions like grass clippings or vegetation that may have grown over, and make sure critters have not built nests in the unused vent. Also, check metal furnace vents that protrude through the roof. Chimneys and vents should have a UL listed metal rain cap that are in good repair and clear of debris. If the caps are missing or have damaged screening, check for nests and other debris. Inspect a wood burning fireplace to ensure there is a spark screen present and in good repair. Also, make sure the flue operates properly and the chimney is clean and clear—sweep if necessary.  
4. Check weather stripping. Visually inspect around doors and windows for worn or damaged weather stripping and seals. Ensure the door fits tightly and there are no gaps. Also, check that all windows operate and lock properly. If you have an older home with storm windows, remove the screens and install the storm windows. If the windows don’t seal well, try using a plastic window insulation kit. 
5. Fix cracks in concrete. Repair/patch any visible cracks on the driveway, your sidewalk, or foundation. Cracks can allow water to leak in and then freeze during the winter, causing further damage. There are numerous products available for sealing concrete, including squeeze bottles, and caulking guns for small jobs and bulk buckets for large ones.  

Don’t forget to wrap up your outdoor building permits (like roofing or residing permits) by scheduling final inspections. Call the Monticello Building Safety Department staff at 763-295-3060 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please have the permit number or address handy.  Other affected permits include window replacements and decks.

September is National Senior Center Month: Discover Monticello’s Today!

The Monticello Senior Center is located in the Monticello Community Center at 505 Walnut Street. The senior center is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Some popular activities at the center include pickleball, card tournaments, billiards, and their bike group. In addition to fun, social activities, the center offers a wide variety of programs to the community. Including their HOME program, IT/Tech support, the Noon Dinner Program, and caregiver services.

HOME Program

The senior center HOME Program offers a variety of services for people ages 60+ including personal technology assistance, handyperson services, home safety checks, housekeeping, lawn care/snow removal and more. The HOME Program offers affordable services with rates based on the participant’s monthly income and ability to pay. The service area includes Monticello and a number of surrounding communities.

Noon Dinner Program

Noon meals are served at the Monticello Senior Center Tuesday through Friday. Tuesday meals are provided by Chin Yuen, Wednesday meals by American Legion Post 260, Thursday meals by VFW Post 8731, and Friday meals by the Cornerstone Café. The meal cost is $5 and anyone age 55+ and spouse (regardless of age) are welcome to dine at the center. Participants need to sign up at the senior center at least one day in advance by noon and pay for the meals they order.

Caregiver Services

If you’re helping an older adult in your life, you are a caregiver. Licensed Social Worker Becky Allard can help you get the support you need to sustain your ability to provide help and maintain your own life balance. Contact Becky at 612-804-0968 to make a one-on-one appointment for individualized support, guidance, or advice. You can also attend a Caregiver Support Group at the senior center on the second Thursday of each month from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser

The Monticello Senior Center is hosting a breakfast fundraiser on Sunday, October 22, 2023 in the Monticello Community Center gym from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. This all-you-can-eat event includes scrambled eggs, sausage, pancakes, ham, donuts, milk, juice, and coffee. The cost is $9 in advance ($10 at the door) for people ages 13 and up, $5 for kids ages 6-12 and kids under age 6 eat free.

Craft Sale Fundraiser

The Monticello Senior Center is sponsoring a Craft Sale fundraiser on Saturday, November 4, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The sale will be held at the Monticello Community Center, 505 Walnut Street. Thousands of craft items will be available for purchase. The senior center will also be serving a delicious sloppy jo lunch during the sale for only $6.