At the May 9 Common Council meeting, City Administrator Tommy Bohler told the council that the city has received verbal approval from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) to install a crosswalk light at the corner of Main and Scott Streets in Wautoma. With several businesses located in the area, the intersection has excessive foot traffic. The DOT will pay for the cost of the sign, with the city paying for the flashing lights. The approximate cost for this project is $5-$6,000. Bohler said he will be looking for a grant or other alternative funding for the project.
In the discussion of another topic, Bohler praised the work by city employee Aaron Spees, which resulted in the city receiving a $3,800 credit from Alliant Energy. Approximately two years ago the city had Alliant change out the light bulbs in the street lights to LED bulbs, which should have saved the city money. However, Spees noticed that the city’s electric bill had not changed since the LED bulbs were installed. Once Alliant investigated, they determined that Spees was correct and issued the credit.
During Police Chief Paul Mott’s report to the council, he told them that the police department has recently received a fire suppression tool, donated by the Wautoma Rotary; he reported they now have two of these tools, the first one donated by the Wautoma Masons. He also reported that the Wautoma Kiwanis Club donated 55 fishing poles for the Cops & Bobbers Program. In addition to these donations, the police department is also receiving three new bullet-proof vests, with 50% of the cost being paid for by the Department of Justice.
City Administrator Bohler told the council that if they see that the police chief has exceeded his budget for new equipment, they should realize that the costs are off-set by grants, donations, and other funding sources the chief has secured for equipment purchases.
Police Chief Mott also told the council that the department has cleared out a storage building that was full of rusty, broken bicycles that had to be destroyed because of their condition. He said that the new policy will be to hold an unclaimed bicycle for one year and if not claimed during that year, it will be donated to a charitable organization.
Alderman Patrick King, acting mayor in John Nixon’s absence at the meeting, told the council that the Waushara County Buildings and Grounds Committee asked for city officials to partner with them in determining the future of the current courthouse. Those who will participate are Mayor John Nixon, City Administrator Tommy Bohler, Alderman Bob Cayer, and Alderman Eric Tratar.
In other business, the council approved a Class “A” beer license and a cigarette license for Wautoma Mobil (Dinesh Kumar Tiwari of Hollandtown Minimart, LLC.)
The next Common Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 13 at 7:30 p.m. at city hall.
