Town of Athelstane Okays Loader Rental

The Town of Athelstane owns two loaders, both 30 to 40 years and during the last week of July and first week of August, both of them developed major mechanical problems. One unit is repairable, but the other would cost large amounts of money to fix.

The Town Board invited a representative from Fabco/Cat to their regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 15. The rep presented quotes for a long term, 5-year rental on a new unit. The proposal included an option to purchase after five years. A full warrantee would be in effect during the rental and an extension available should later purchase be pursued.

Two possible units were presented, with options for equipment. The board preferred the multi-use bucket options. One would be available in November and the other could be available within a week.

After much discussion and with input from the road crew and town residents, the Board voted to rent the upgraded unit that would be available the soonest. The annual rental cost is $15,000 to $16,000. After the five years, the town could purchase the unit for $86,000, or could just return it and rent a new one. Outright purchase of a new loader would be in the $140,000 to $160,000 range.

Last month, the Board reported the town budget for road repair/maintenance was running dangerously low, so several members at this meeting questioned how the town was going to come up with the money to pay the rental price. The Fabco rep stated the company was willing to give the town $7,000 for trade-in value for the unrepairable unit in the town fleet. This would reduce the cost to the $8,000 to $9,000 range. Town Treasurer Greg explained the rest of the money could possibly come from the areas in the town budget that were over budgeted for this year, like the insurance category which appears will end the year $35,000 over budget. He also explained the town has not spent any of its Contingency Fund, which stands at $25,000.

The board discussed the options available and approved the rental unit that would be available within a week or two from Fabco at a yearly cost of $15,718.

In other matters, the meeting opened with Chairman John Dobratz reporting that the Post Office has agreed to allow a locked-box in the facility to accommodate the posting of office town meetings so that the documents are not stolen again. He also expressed appreciation for the idea from last meeting that extra copies of the agenda be available at the posting sites. A locked box will also be installed at the town hall. Bruce Mueller was thanked for making the boxes.

Marinette County Supervisor Russ Bousley, who represents Town of Athelstane - Ward 2 along with Town of Dunbar - Wards 1 & 2, introduced himself and spoke briefly. He informed the audience of about 35 people that he would be glad to remain after the meeting to meet them and answer questions they may have.

In other Public Comments, Chuck Wutkowski asked about a tree that had been removed on Mathis Road. He expressed concern that the tree may have been taken down with the brush cutter. He also questioned whether or not town employees were putting down gravel on private roads. Harold Tesch Jr. said he would check on the matters.

A resident asked about the purchase of a loader and protecting the town's interests, especially in view of the problems with the diesel truck. Another resident questioned what the town was going to do with Benson Lake Road, an item that would be covered later in the meeting.

Someone also wondered about the town painting lines on North Way. The answer given was that that particular road was turned over to the town by the county and that part of the agreement stated the lines painted thereon had to be kept up.

A resident requested uniformity in town minutes in connection with the name of Supervisor Bill Jose name. He was excused from the meeting because he was out of town.

In communications, Dobratz announced two letters were received from the American Transmission Company for plans for new high voltage lines probably through the town. One of the letters was from the Town of Hobart. It was also announced the funeral arrangements for a well-known town resident who recently died.

The Fire Department reported that in the month they held two training meetings but no fire calls. The Planning Commission had no requests in the month. The commission reported discussion on enforcement of requirements for developers and progress Ordinances 4.0, 4.1, and 5.0.

In connection with their report, the town board discussed a driveway issue at a development on Smiley Road near Benson Lake Road. The problem developed because of too many driveways coming out on a curve on Benson Lake.

Treasurer Reinhardt reported that as of July 31, the town account balances stood at checking--$1,214.13; Tax Money Market--$102,857.09; General Money Market --$3,642.63; and the two town CDs at $107,714.54 and $83,956.43 respectively. Receipts for the month were $69,774.52 and expenses were $54,616.72 plus $599 in debits.

Major income items for the month were $52,586.29 from the third payment for Highway Aids, $8,014.93 from collection of Personal Property Taxes, $2,974.76 from State Fire Dues, $2,020.95 from a partial payment of Shared Revenues from the state, and a $571.61 reimbursement from the Fire Department for a new refrigerator.

Major expense items were $24,800 to Michaels Construction for crushing gravel, $4,771.59 to Larson Co-op for fuel, $4,054.50 to Richlen Excavating for hauling clay, $805 in election expenses, and $588 to A-1 Excavating for hauling the bulldozer.

Dobratz announced the equalized valuation report has been received. The value of town real estate has dropped by $3,718,200 and the valuation of personal property in the town also is down by $220,200. The total valuation of the Town of Athelstane was $124,608,400.

Dobratz reporting on the recent meeting of the Recycling Coalition noted the town now has a source to get rid of TVs for a cost of $5. Goodwill has a route and will stop at the town. There will be no cost for recycling computers or other electronics. There will no other changes in fees.

Tesch reported both loaders in the department are down. One is being repaired. He spoke about Benson Lake Road and noted that a portion of the road will need to be raised. This would require that the road be closed for about a week once work begins. The town highway department wants to fix it right this time. An option brought up was the installation of a culvert in the difficult section.

The board decided to approve the proposal from Northeast Asphalt to pulverize portions of Perch Lake, Smiley and Benson Lake Roads. The roads will be allowed to winterize and the paving will be put out for bids next spring.

Dobratz announced an emergency road crew will be gathered for the winter. A sign-up sheet will be posted for anyone who would like to be on it. The crew will be called upon in case of a winter weather emergency to clear the roads.

Changes were approved for the 2012-2013 snowplowing rates for property owners. The town will plow private roads at the rates set in the contract. This brought in about $12,000 to the town last year. Approval was given to seal the cemetery fence, the town hall front and the town hall sign. The work will be done by the town.

No action was taken on the agenda item dealing with the “eyesore on County C,” an item stemming from a complaint turned in several months ago.

Mary Carol McNamara announced that she was voluntarily resigning from the Planning Commission so that Mueller could take over her spot. She pointed to Mueller's prior work on the committee and his computer skills. The board accepted her resignation and approved the appointment of Mueller.

The Board announced that Dobratz and Reinhardt would be making appointments to the Court Administrative Committee.

A proposal to amend Ordinance 32 to open all town roads in the Town of Athelstane to ATVs and UTVs was tabled. It was noted that many surrounding towns are opening up all their roads to this traffic and that the most of the town roads are already open to such. But several residents questioned the wisdom of doing so because some town roads are not conducive to or safe for ATV/UTV traffic, especially roads with very sharp curves and roads that are dead ends. Prior to next month, the board will do some more extensive research.

Approval was given to change the town ordinance in regard to town officer terms. The change will leave officers in their positions for one week longer due to changes in state election law. The state law also requires that the town annual meetings be held one week later in tApril.

Approval was given for town officials to attend a Wisconsin Towns Association worship scheduled for September in Wabeno.

Recent stories, opinions and photos

Issue Date	Department	Headline
05-16-2013	Front Page	Mike, Anita Folgert Are Recipients Of Touhey Award
05-16-2013	Front Page	Predicts New Learning Center Will Be “A Shining Light” For Marinette Schools
05-16-2013	Front Page	Tourism Draws Millions For State, 4 County Area
05-16-2013	Front Page	Water & Sewer Committee Moves Ahead With Loan
05-16-2013	Front Page	Commend City Officer’s Work On Murder Case
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Lorna M. Techmeier
05-16-2013	Obituaries	James R. Schaut
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Nora E. Salewsky
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Ralph R. Runge
05-16-2013	Obituaries	James P. Reindl
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Uta Rasmussen
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Virginia Ellsworth Plier
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Ursula J. Peters
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Walter J. Moucha, Sr.
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Kasimir Melnyk
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Bernadette E. Meek
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Shirley Jean Johnson
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Julie N. Jeske
05-16-2013	Obituaries	George L. Hayden
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Patricia L. Gomber
05-16-2013	Obituaries	James A. Erickson,
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Frank M. Dudek
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Judith A. Carrillo
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Shirley Ann Bishop
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Donald M. Allard
05-16-2013	Sports	Marinette Golfers Win Menominee Meet; Bieberitz Is Medalist
05-16-2013	Sports	Track Regionals To Begin May 20
05-16-2013	Sports	Peshtigo Captures M-O Conference Crowns
05-16-2013	Sports	Coleman Finishes Perfect�Again!
05-16-2013	News	Set Babysitting Class for May 25
05-16-2013	News	Town Peshtigo Sets Cleanup Day
05-16-2013	News	Marinette Legion Brat Fry Dates
05-16-2013	News	Church Dinner, Auction May 19
05-16-2013	Perspectives	From our readers
05-16-2013	Perspectives	Tales from the old-timer
05-16-2013	Perspectives	Country Cousin
05-16-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Grand Germany Tour Sept. 15-24
05-16-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Blood Drive is June 10
05-16-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Memorial Services Slated May 27
05-16-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Students Help Plant Nursery Stock Trees
05-16-2013	Community - Crivitz	Jeff Diges Memorial Bike Run June 29, Hold Pool Tourney
05-16-2013	Community - Crivitz	TB Rescue Bake, Rummage Sale
05-16-2013	Community - Crivitz	Co. Elderly Golf Scramble July 12
05-16-2013	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Sister Cities Future On Line At May 22 Meeting
05-16-2013	Community - Coleman	Coleman High School Graduation is June 1
05-16-2013	Community - Coleman	2 Top Coleman Seniors
05-16-2013	Community - Coleman	Fine Art Nite at Coleman School
05-16-2013	Community - Coleman	Coleman Services for Memorial Day
05-08-2013	Front Page	Marinette Police Memorial To Officers Lost In Duty
05-08-2013	Front Page	City Adopts New Sewer Rates, Fire Dept. Fees
05-08-2013	Front Page	Co. Move Toward Medical Examiner Model Rejected
05-08-2013	Front Page	Centenarian Marks Birthday May 5th
05-08-2013	Front Page	Folgerts Chosen For Touhey Award Recipients
05-08-2013	Front Page	Million Dollar Bail Set In Homicide Case
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Irene Zoellner
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Lila V. Tippett
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Clarence E. Treptow
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Dennis L. Tachick
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Roger K. Schiefelbein
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Sharon A. Ronan
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Robert Ranallo, Sr.
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Jerry Rakowski
05-08-2013	Obituaries	James Prefontaine
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Spencer B. Patz
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Lila E. Miller
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Patricia Mathey
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Helen J. Lemery
05-08-2013	Obituaries	William H. Keller
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Alice Johnson
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Ronald Cedric Henning
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Algin T. Hendricksen
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Paul G. Grunwald
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Cheryl Lynn Gallo
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Gyneth Gadtzke
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Crystal Ann Gabriel
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Curtis P. Frank, Sr.
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Della A. DeStarkey
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Daniel P. Barney
05-08-2013	News	Girl Scout Carnival at Peshtigo June 2
05-08-2013	News	5th Annual EMS 5K Walk/Run
05-08-2013	News	Brazeau Annual Fundraiser July 27
05-08-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Wagner Board Meets May 14
05-08-2013	Community - Wausaukee	SC Fire, Rescue Auxiliary May 13
05-08-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Lions To Clean Hwy. 180 May 11
05-08-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Legion Post 66 Meeting May 11
05-08-2013	Community - Crivitz	CHS 5K Run/ Walk is June 1
05-08-2013	Community - Crivitz	Legion Trap 22
05-08-2013	Community - Crivitz	Middle Inlet Plans for Memorial Day
05-08-2013	Community - Crivitz	Middle Inlet Plans 33rd Annual Reunion
05-08-2013	Community - Coleman	Area Cadets at State Challenge Academy
05-08-2013	Community - Coleman	Parkway Ladies Start
05-08-2013	Community - Coleman	Comins Graduates Basic
05-08-2013	Community - Coleman	Graduates Basic
05-08-2013	Sports	Wausaukee Golfers Win 9-Hole M-O Tournament
05-08-2013	Sports	Bulldogs Grab M-O Lead
05-08-2013	Sports	Marines Shine At Home Invite
05-08-2013	Sports	Coleman Clinches M-O Title Share
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Patricia J. Waschbisch
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Bessie Riley
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Russell D. Thurow
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Anne Schumacher
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Janette B. Perry
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Marilyn Mc Keefry
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Timothy J. Lynch
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Donald J. Kubiak
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Marilyn Mc Keefry
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Reino L. Lampinen
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Lonnie L. Kasbaum
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Dave Gajeski
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Gyneth I. Gatzke
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Virgil L. Erdman
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Albert J. Demers
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Bernard L. Courchaine
05-02-2013	Obituaries	David Campbell
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Roy Bylund
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Dale P. Bundy
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Gerda M. Barrick
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Antoinette A. Bacon
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Bonnie R. Artz
05-02-2013	Front Page	Peshtigo Woman Murdered
05-02-2013	Front Page	Crivitz High School Ranks 22 in Survey
05-02-2013	Front Page	Heyer Changes Plea in Murder
05-02-2013	Front Page	City Parks, Recreation Director Marquardt Takes County Job
05-02-2013	Front Page	Public Hearing On 4 Ordinances Precedes May 7 Council Meet
05-02-2013	Perspectives	From our readers
05-02-2013	Perspectives	Tales from the old-timer
05-02-2013	Perspectives	Country Cousin
05-02-2013	Sports	Oconto Falls Girls Dominate Invite
05-02-2013	Sports	Suring Cruises To Track Sweep; Cops 22 1st Place Marks
05-02-2013	Sports	Bulldog Booster Bash On May 4
05-02-2013	Sports	Coleman Improves To 6-0
05-02-2013	News	Walking Club To Paddle on River
05-02-2013	News	Pound Senior Club Meeting is May 6
05-02-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Car, Lightning Cause Outages
05-02-2013	Community - Wausaukee	SC Fire, Rescue Auxiliary May 13
05-02-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Ladies Luncheon at Assembly Church
05-02-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Eight Wausaukee Music Students Advance to State
05-02-2013	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz High School 2013 Graduation Ceremony May 18
05-02-2013	Community - Crivitz	OWI Task Force Town of Stephenson
05-02-2013	Community - Crivitz	List Theme for July 4th Parade
05-02-2013	Community - Crivitz	CYI Summer Youth Programs
05-02-2013	Community - Coleman	Smarter Than 5th Grader at Coleman
05-02-2013	Community - Coleman	Pound Senior Club Meeting is May 6
05-01-2013	Front Page	Suspect Will Face Homicide Charges In Marinette County
04-25-2013	Obituaries	Roger C. Winter
04-25-2013	Obituaries	Alfred W. Weissgerber
04-25-2013	Obituaries	Josephine H. VandenBush
04-25-2013	Obituaries	Julius Torzala
04-25-2013	Obituaries	Anna Szkolny
04-25-2013	Obituaries	Sylvin J. Steffes