At the Aug. 8 Wautoma Common Council meeting, Administrator-Clerk-Treasurer Tommy Bohler announced that Wautoma has been awarded a $1,000,000 Community Development Block Grant for Public Facilities to be used for the 2023 Waupaca Street project and other projects. The project will encompass work on Waupaca Street, from Division Street north to Main Street, including curb and gutter, sidewalks, new road construction, and replacement of the water main.
Bohler said that it is the first time Wautoma has been awarded a million dollars in grant money and that since he has been employed for the city, the city has not had to levy assessments on citizens for road construction projects. “This grant is a history-maker for Wautoma,” said Bohler. “It’s the biggest grant ever for the City of Wautoma.” Bohler added that MSA Professional Services staff put forth “a lot of hard work” getting the grant and he said that Public Works Laborer Eric Vezina assisted him with the completion of house-to-house surveys; the grant required that 85% of the Waupaca Street residents complete the 5-question survey.
In his monthly report, Bohler told the council that the splash pad at Bird Creek Park is temporarily out of order. A part that is needed to fix the problem will cost approximately $9,000 and the estimated time it will take to arrive is lengthy, therefore, unless a temporary fix can be done, the splash pad will continue to be closed. Bohler said the splash pad is normally shut down after Labor Day week-end, which is only a couple of weeks away.
Bohler also said he has participated in briefings on the Planning Commission’s decision to approve the installation of a cellular tower at 1001 E. Main Street, which is on Highway Department land. He told the council that 911 calls and GPS problems at the Waushara Co. Sheriff’s Department will be greatly improved with the Bug Tussel tower installation.
Bohler also told the council that, effective the end of August, he will be certified in both city clerk and treasurer; he recently completed his final year of the Clerk-Treasurer’s Institute. He already has his Masters of Public Administration, which qualified him as the city’s administrator when he was hired by the city.
During the monthly mayor’s report, Mayor John Nixon voiced concerns about the traffic, specifically semi-trucks, using the Division Street bridge. He cited weight concerns, but also said “we’ve got a grade school right there and a residential neighborhood.” He questioned whether a new ordinance should be established, which would include weight limits on vehicles crossing the bridge.
Nixon also voiced concerns about ATV signs being removed. He said that he put up signs on trails that have been approved in the Town of Marion only to find them totally gone two days later. He said that several signs in the city have also disappeared shortly after they were put up, adding that the signs are expensive. Nixon has met with other officials in other areas, including Portage Co. Sheriff Mike Lucas, who reported that all of Plover is open to ATVs; thus, they don’t have to put up signs and have to replace any missing signs. Nixon said that it would be ideal if other communities did the same.
During Police Chief Paul Mott’s monthly report, he told the council that the Wautoma Landfill will now be open to Wautoma citizens, 18 years and older, who are archery deer hunters, but the hunters have to complete an application to hunt there. He said he has divided the landfill up into 3 zones (40 acres in each zone) and only 2 hunters will be allowed to hunt in each zone throughout the Wisconsin deer hunting archery season. He told the council that a criminal history background check will be done on each hunter who applies. The deadline for submitting the application at city hall is August 31. If more than six hunters apply and are approved, there will be a drawing to see who can hunt at the landfill this upcoming season. Each hunter will be allowed to place a hunting stand on the land but must remove them one week after the season ends. The hunters will have to wear blaze orange and must adhere to Wisconsin’s archery hunting regulations. Mott said that this is the first time Wautoma is starting this program, citing that the City of Madison and the City of Green Bay have been doing this.
Mott also reported that the Wautoma Masonic Lodge donated $500 to the police department to purchase ice fishing equipment for an ice fishing derby for kids. In addition, a donor who wishes to remain anonymous, donated several new bicycles for Wautoma children. Mott also reported that the police department has applied for a crosswalk grant and a League of Municipalities grant to purchase safety equipment.
In other business, the council approved:
*Ordinance #2022-02 regarding archery deer hunting within the Wautoma landfill.
*The MSA Professional Services Agreement for the CDBG-PF Administration. Community Development Specialist Jennifer Trader attended the meeting and told the council that there were 34 applicants for the grant, with 17 awarded, and that 11 of the 17 were grants they had submitted for various municipalities. MSA Project Engineer Chad Grundeman was also at the meeting to review projects with the council, including the 16th Avenue pavement replacement project in the spring of 2023.
*Moving forward with a potential agreement with the Wautoma Area School District regarding absorption of the school resource officer position.
*The resignation of Dee Dee Jacobowski and Anne Dorwaldt from the Jones Fund Board and the appointment of Charlene Stratton and Jacqueline Hipsman to fill the vacancies.
*Operator’s licenses for Sophia N. Mager (Two20 Taphouse & Grill), Alesia L. Betro (Casey’s), and Debie L. Davis (Casey’s).
*A Waushara Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored “Beer Walk” in downtown Wautoma at a date yet to be determined.
The next Common Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m. at city hall.
