At the July 20 Redgranite Village Board meeting, the board approved the establishment of a Quarry Committee, to include some village residents, business-owners, and representation by the board. This action took place following a lengthy discussion about opening the quarry up for swimming, with positives and negatives on each side of the controversial topic. Village President Belinda Passarelli told the villagers at the meeting that the bottom line is that the village doesn’t have enough police officers to monitor/control quarry problems, do all investigations at the Redgranite Correctional facility, and attend to all other village concerns.
After much discussion, Passarelli encouraged residents Shari Sirvio and Shannon Henke, who were both at the board meeting, to sign up to be on the committee and attend the next Parks Committee. They were encouraged to find others who would like to serve on the Quarry Committee, but agreed that the committee shouldn’t be too large so that things can more easily be accomplished. Sirvio and Henke, as well as board members, agreed that a plan needs to be developed, with goals and timelines established.
Village Water & Sewer Superintendent Mark Hass told the board that there are about 20 private water wells in the village and that the home/land-owners that own the wells need to have them tested every five years to get a permit. If the well proves to be unsafe, the homeowner will be required to hook up to the village water system, and will have to pay 30% of the cost. Waushara County will pay 70% of the cost; however, the request must go through the village clerk’s office so they can record the test date, the outcome, and contact the county for the homeowner if they must hook up to the village water system. The village discussed paying the home-owner’s 30% cost; however, after discussion, the village decided they could not afford to do so. The village clerk will send out letters to the appropriate home/land-owners, explaining the requirements and setting up a 2-month deadline to have the testing completed.
After a brief discussion, the board voted to approve the village clerk to post a notice at the municipal building that the village office is now open to the public, requesting that those who have not been fully vaccinated continue to wear a mask. The office was closed due to the COVID pandemic, although the village clerk and assistant were at work and still able to do business through telephone, e-mail, etc.
After a brief discussion, the board voted to table establishing a dog park at East Side Park. It was decided that insurance costs and costs of the project need to be researched. An ordinance would also need to be established.
Village resident Shannon Henke attended the meeting and spoke during the public forum, telling the board that she has volunteers “lined up” that will help clean up Willow Creek Park by hauling away brush and branches, do trimming by the creek, etc. Jim Fredrick, recently-hired Public Works Director, told the board that he realizes the park needs work and that for safety/insurance purposes, he obtained a bid from Size Matters Stump Grinding and Tree Removal for $3,800, which the board then approved. Fredrick assured Henke that the park would be cleaned up before a wedding event that she has scheduled for the park.
Village Attorney Daniel Sondalle attended the meeting to review and update the board about open meeting laws and Robert’s Rules of Order. Passarelli invited him to attend the meeting since there were new board members and employees attending the meeting. He emphasized that board members should never discuss business matters outside of a meeting, which includes phone calls, texts, and e-mails. He said that elected officials have to follow Wisconsin State Statutes Chapter 19 and that discussions about business matters can only take place at a meeting that has been posted ahead of time, following Chapter 19. He said that e-mailing another board member and writing “for your information to discuss at our meeting” is okay. He also stressed that things that happen and are discussed in a closed meeting session must “stay” in closed session and cannot be discussed outside of the closed meeting.
In other business, the board approved:
•Cashing in a water surplus CD of $50,000.
•The purchase of 48 water transmitters for $9,600; these are used to transmit water usage to the village clerk’s office.
•Crack-filling Bonnell Ave., from Foster Road to village limits for $7,500.
•The appointment of board member Ellen Caswell to fill board vacancy on Planning Committee and the appointment of Village resident Mark Juslen to fill member vacancy on the Zoning Board of Appeals.
•Repairs to Cottonville Court, with six loads of gravel, for $2,570.
•A request to install a blind/deaf person street sign on Pope Street, between Highway 21 and Clarke Street.
•The updated ATV/UTV Ordinance.
•Operator’s licenses for Brenda Gerrits, Amy Case (Rick’s Irish Pub), and Victoria Rosenow (Dollar General).
•Temporary Class B Retailer’s license for Redgranite Advancement Association on Sept. 4-6 at Veteran Memorial Park and Willow Creek Park and temporary Operator’s licenses for Brenda Mastricola, Jeremy Meyer, Kristofer Peterson, Gail Pierotti, and Sandy Adamson.
•A request to close Franklin Street (between Pine River Street and Maple Street) from Friday, Sept. 3 (after meal site closes) through Monday, Sept. 6 at 8 p.m.; a request to close Willow Creek one-way road going into the park and cover the direction sign on the one-way going out of the park on Saturday, Sept. 4 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for KidzRock.
•A request, by Wolverine Fireworks Display, to shoot off fireworks within the Village of Redgranite on Sunday, Sept. 5 at dusk; a request to close Quarry Park early on Sunday, Sept. 5 at 3 p.m. in preparation for the fireworks; a request to close Division Street, next to Quarry Park, on Sunday, Sept. 5 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. for fireworks.
•A request to extend the Noise Ordinance on Saturday, Sept. 4 at Willow Creek Park to 11 p.m. for music and Sunday, Sept. 5 at Quarry Park to 11 p.m. for fireworks.
•A request of Redgranite Area Fire District to close Dearborn Street on Saturday, Sept. 25 from 6:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. for annual hose testing and a request to borrow village road barricades during same day and time.
The next regular village board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. at the municipal building.
