Redgranite Village Board in need of village trustee

The Redgranite Village Board reported that they are in need of an additional village trustee during the Aug. 21 regular meeting of the board. Village Board President Jim Erdmann expressed his appreciation for his time working with Matt Knollenberg, who has stepped down as village trustee. Erdmann requested that any community members interested in becoming a trustee contact the Village Hall. The board hopes to appoint a new trustee by the next regular board meeting. Brent Snow of the utility department gave an update to the board on the biological phosphorus removal project at the water plant. By growing organisms, the department is able to lower phosphorus levels without chemicals. The village is anticipating that the DNR will soon be lowering the phosphorus discharging limits. To keep in line with the DNR standards the village would either have to add a filter to chemically remove the phosphorus or they can remove it by growing these organisms. The utility department has been able to improve their levels with 90% less chemicals by growing these organisms this summer. In the long run, the department believes this will be able to save the village millions of dollars. Jim Frederick, Public Works Lead, spoke to the board on the ongoing vandalism issues occurring at Willow Creek Park. Frederick reported that there have been many individuals doing “donuts” on the driveway and in the grass at the park. The park currently has one camera on the park shelter that has been able to help identify a few of the drivers, but many of the vehicles will go to the other end of the park where their license plate can’t be read. Frederick recommended the board look into installing an additional camera on the other end of the park to help stop the ongoing issue. He also recommended closing the road for vehicle access in the winter, as many will still drive onto the grass when the ground only has a light layer of snow. The board approved looking into the cost of installing an additional camera at Willow Creek Park. The board addressed the concerns of village resident Dean Mathison on the village’s recycling methods. Mathison stated that he has heard on numerous occasions that the recycled waste is not recycled and is going straight to the landfill. Village President Jim Erdmann ensured that all recycling is kept separate from the other waste, and Waste Management uses special trucks that separates the two. Waste Management has been reporting issues with residents throwing items into the recycling that should not be in there, which can make it more difficult to recycle everything properly. Letters will be sent out to the residents about the recycling disposal issues. In other business the board approved: *Additional clerk training, once a week through the end of September. *Invoice from Motorola Solutions for 2023 Annual Maintenance in the amount of $1,387.74. *Invoice from Badger Labs in the amount of $3,254 for Well 1 and Well 2 testing. *Temporary Operator’s Licenses for Redgranite Advancement Association for Brenda Mastricola, Gail Pierotti, Tricia Sieg and David Hempel. *Temporary Class B Retailer’s License for Redgranite Advancement Association on Sept. 2-4 at Veteran’s Memorial Park and Sept. 2-4, at Willow Creek Park. *A request to close Franklin Street between Pine River St. and Maple St. from Friday, Sept. 1 after meal site closes, thru Monday, Sept. 4 at 8 p.m. *A request to close Willow Creek’s one-way road going into the park and covering the direction sign on the one way going out of the park on Saturday, Sept. 2 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. *A request to change direction of Willow Creek’s one way road coming out of the park for available parking in Willow Creek Park for KidzRock on Saturday, Sept. 2 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. *Closing the Quarry Park early on Sunday, Sept. 3 at 3 p.m. in preparation for the fireworks. *Closing Division St., next to Quarry Park on Sunday, Sept. 3 from 5 to 11 p.m. for fireworks. *Extending the noise ordinance on Saturday, Sept. 2 at Willow Creek Park to 11 p.m. for music and Sunday, Sept. 3 at Quarry Park to 11 p.m. for fireworks. *Contract, insurance requested, and permit from Wolverine Fireworks Display Inc. for Sunday, Sept. 3. *Operator’s License effective Aug. 22 thru June 30, 2024 for Kylee Splinter/Rick’s Irish Pub. *Operator’s License effective Aug. 22 thru June 30, 2024 for Amanda Lepkowski/The Post Office Bar.