DNR Forester Diesen updates county board on Pallet Fire

Mark Diesen, DNR Forester, presented the Waushara County Board of Supervisors a Pallet Fire update at their regular meeting held at the Waushara County Courthouse, Wautoma, on Aug. 15. Diesen said the final numbers on the July 11 Coloma Pallet Fire included 714 acres burned, three primary structures destroyed and 16 secondary buildings. Seventy-eight primary and secondary structures were saved. He said it was a monumental effort and appreciated the county support and help. DNR is the primary jurisdiction in this fire, but the help received from the Allen Luchini, Emergency Management Director, the Emergency Services, County Sheriff’s Department, and Stephanie Sattler, coordinator for the Geographic Information Systems were invaluable. He said he hoped for him this was a once in a career fire and he was thankful to the Waushara Count Staff and departments for all of their assistance. Administrator Melissa Pingel reported to the board the Emergency Structure Books are so important and she recognized board member, Mark Piechowski, for his help with the project. She said presently she is working with departments on budgets and the union negotiations for the EMS and Sheriff’s department are ongoing. Pingel is working with employees with suggestions on what is important to them and how to make the county a better workplace. Stephanie Sattler, Land Records GIS Coordinator Stephanie Sattler gave many details on what her office is responsible for including creating and distributing tax bills, maintaining tax data base and maintaining tax parcel data. A request for maps continue to be the biggest request her office receives. She added that for the Emergency Structure Books they are getting everything updated from 2006 to present. She says the maps need to be readable and useable and she is looking at a more efficient way to provide large formatted maps for emergencies such as the Coloma Pallet Fire. The maps provided were helpful in the house evacuations or the July 11th fire. She also said the office is looking at a different land records software. In other business the board approved the resolution to approve the use of AARP funding for a backup generator and installation to support an Emergency Shelter. A resolution to support mutual aid collaboration was also approved to work with Green Lake and Marquette Counties on county projects. The board approved a proclamation to recognize August as Child Support Awareness Month. The next meeting of the Waushara County Board of Supervisors will be held at 6 p.m. on Sept. 19 in the county board room at the Waushara County Courthouse, Wau-toma.