Outside “Looker” Praises Wausaukee Appearance Despite having to delay action on some items on their agenda until more information is assembled, Wausaukee Village Board did a bit of rejoicing at a special meeting Monday, June 29.
Village President Jeff Townsend said he, along with trustees Julie Parkansky and Rosie Figas, had attended the annual meeting of Marinette County Association for Business and Industry (MCABI) on Thursday, June 25. The guest speaker had been asked by MCABI Administrator Don Clewley to take an outsider’s “drive through” look at several area communities, including Wausaukee.
He had some praises and some criticisms, but for Wausaukee there was unalloyed praise for the welcome sign and the appearance of the village in general. “You have wealth beyond your wealth,” the speaker had said. “As you go through town, it shows everyone cares about the village of Wausaukee.” He mentioned the value of the neatly mown grass, trimmed bushes, and the general cared-for and welcoming look of the village.
“That gives credit to our employees and the people of the village. We’re finally accomplishing what we set out to do!’ Townsend exclaimed. Several times during the meeting he mentioned that fine work is being done by village employees.
Figas commented that mowing south of the welcome sign helped also, but she felt more trees are needed along Main Street and in the ball park. As a means of financing that, she suggested encouraging people to plant trees “in memoriam,” with the understanding the village will care for them after they are planted. Perhaps small brass plates could be provided with each tree.
Townsend said he had been asked about the possibility of having a POW/MIA flag flown at the welcome sign. Trustees agreed it is a wonderful idea and should be done.
The board set a Street and Sanitation Committee meeting for 5 p.m. Monday, July 6, at Townsend’s request. They are to begin a study of hours, work load, job needs, etc., “something like what is being done with Water and Sewer.” Committee members are trustees Radtke, Kellen Stumbris, and Randy Schmidt.
Townsend stressed the scrutiny of operations of village departments is in no way intended to imply a criticism of village employees, who are doing fine jobs. He said he and other board members simply need to learn more about village operations, “to make sure we’re being fiscally responsible to the taxpayers of this village.”
The agenda included discussion and possible action on a Village Constable, but no action was taken. That subject also will be taken up again at the July 13 regular board meeting.
Clerk Toshia Ranallo reported she had sought information from other area communities. She learned that Athelstane has no constable. There was no response from Amberg. Silver Cliff has an elected constable who is paid $800 a year and is always on call. Anyone could be elected, but town officials prefer a retiree with a police science background. The constable is furnished with a “black and white” squad car with police lights. A municipal judge is paid $1,200 a year, a Municipal Clerk of Courts is paid $600 a year, and a Bailiff is paid $1 a year. Each year there is mandatory training for the clerk and judge, at a cost of approximately $550. The Judge, Mack Majcen, felt to share the same judge the two communities would need to have the same ordinances. The town insurance covers the constable.
Crivitz Village Judge Carl Green a few years had made a presentation to the Wausaukee Village Board on the possibility of sharing court services. Ranallo said Green will provide information again, but strongly suggested they consider sharing with the Town of Stephenson or Town of Wausaukee. Ranallo will contact Wausaukee and Stephenson town officials and the Silver Cliff judge and Ranallo said since the village will not have many citations they could simply go through Marinette Circuit Court, but that would significantly add to the cost of penalties for village ordinance violations. A $100 citation would cost $172 by the time all state and county fees are added.
“Let’s find out what the cost will be, then pick a direction and go with it,” Townsend declared. “It’s time. Things have run amok too long...I don’t want to see a traffic cop like we had a few years ago, but I want our ordinances enforced!”
After brief discussion the board approved a resolution accepting the annual Compliance Maintenance Resolution for the Water and Sewer Utility. “I feel comfortable that our Water and Sewer people put the report together properly,” Townsend said. He read through a few items from the report, and said one question that may arise is depletion of the $169,487 Equipment Replacement Fund. He said they were supposed to keep the money on hand, and should be adding $18,300, but the fund was in one of the Certificates of Deposit that former Village President Clark Caine cashed in to pay off other village debt. Radtke noted the Debt Retirement Fund had also been cashed in.
“The report says the fund was depleted to pay off loans, and that is the truth,” Radtke declared.
“We all voted on it,” Townsend agreed, “We just didn’t know all the ramifications.” Townsend said the village may need to come up with a way to replace the funds, and he is hoping to get advice from the village auditor who hopefully will report at the July 13 meeting.
Townsend noted the report was being submitted to the state on time, and it shows the water and sewer utilities are in compliance. “We have to remember that when we’re looking at costs,” he commented. “There's value there. Our employees are doing a good job.”
The meeting started with a request from Kyle Stumbris on behalf of Wausaukee Baseball Association for an additional street light near the ball field restrooms. He said there is already a pole there with a transformer on it, but no light. Townsend commented that one more light shouldn’t make that much difference in the village light bill.
Trustee Randy Schmidt said the village should get the price from Wisconsin Public Service and then approve the request. Stumbris had hoped the light could be installed before the Fourth of July, but it couldn’t be done. While the board gave every indication the light will be approved, formal action will not be taken until the next regular board meeting, which is set for Monday, July 13.
“You guys are bringing in a ton of people, and that’s good for the village,” Townsend told Stumbris.
Trustee Hilbert Radtke wondered if the light could be located to allow the village ice rink on the baseball field property instead of on the fair grounds, but that appeared unlikely.
Fate of the old Wausaukee School building was once again on the agenda for possible action, but a decision was again delayed, this also until the July 13 meeting.
“June Caine still wants to build something there...We’re looking at all possibilities,” Townsend commented. More information on her proposal is expected in time for that meeting. Meanwhile, the board had asked for estimates with separate prices for tearing down separate parts of the building. Townsend said three proposals had come in and cost was less than he had expected. Clerk/Treasurer Toshia Ranallo said the information will be in their packets for the next meeting.
Townsend said he had been ready to just have the old building torn down, “But now I’m all ears...I’m never one to be stuck on one thing. ... We’ll see what Ron Hanschke has ...” Hanschke represents HGM Architecture.
Because a mandatory state permit number was not provided, the board was unable to act on a liquor license application for Joseph Linzmeyer of Crivitz for the old Sport Shop, which is now to be operated as “Joe Bear’s Beer Den.”
Operator’s licenses were approved for Karen Miller, Debra Stumbris, Joan Falkenrath, Sharon Zak, Charlene Russ and Russell Sterner.
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