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The Waushara County Board of Supervisors had three members retiring from the board at the March 19th meeting. A photo was taken on the steps of the Waushara County Courthouse, Wautoma, prior to the meeting including: (back row) Mark Piechowski, Mark Kerschner, Bart Peterson, Pat King, David Bosshard, Jesse Urban; (front row) Bob Wedell, John Jarvis, Brandon Bonfiglio, Mike Kapp, and Everett Eckstein. Bonfiglio, Kapp, and Eckstein, chose not to seek re-election.
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After 32 years, Everett Eckstein, District 5, chose not to seek re-election and served as Waushara County supervisor for his last meeting on March 19 at the Waushara County Courthouse, Wautoma. Eckstein was honored with a resolution for his 32 years of service along with resolutions for Supervisors Brandon Bonfiglio who served for six years representing District 1, and Mike Kapp, who served for eight years in District 4. All three supervisors stepped down and chose not to run for re-election.
Four community members signed up for public comments including Eric Riese, Redgranite, who addressed the board citing negligence on county roads not signed correctly for ATV/UTV use. He said the lack of signage could lead to a fatality and it is difficult for the sheriff’s department to enforce laws. The roads he pointed out included County Rd. H on the Northside of Poy Sippi, and State Rd. 49.
Sam Wood, Wild Rose, said he is not going away and said the board needs to take charge and look into safety concerns at the highway department. He also said the new building projects of $89.5 million will be costly for residents and also asked for the lights to be shut off in county buildings when not in use.
Rita Kelly, Wild Rose, said that she was upset about the tree trimming on County Rd. H and the mess it left as it looked like a tornado went through. She questioned where to take the debris and asked for a county truck to help haul it away. Kelly also said seven trees were removed on State Rd. 22 on the south end of Wild Rose and everything was cleaned up and removed.
Tara Anderson, Wild Rose, said she did not understand how the Government Center was built without a referendum and requested a map of the districts the supervisors represent.
Ruth Zouski, Corporation Counsel/Interim Administrator, reported the county received $10,700 in an Opioid Lawsuit. She informed the board that Blue Ribbon Kids Day is back and will be held on Saturday, April 6 at Parkside School, Wautoma. On April 16 after the Waushara County Board of Supervisors reorganization meeting that will begin at 9 a.m., an Open House and Ribbon Cutting will be held at the new Highway Shop off Townline Rd., Wautoma.
On April 17th at 6 p.m. there will be a Community Conversation at Riverview School, 525 S. Water St., Wautoma, and she urged supervisors to attend if possible. Zouski added that talks continue with the YMCA for the use of the Waushara County Courthouse to house the YMCA in Wautoma. They are working on plans to keep the historical portion and redo other areas for a gymnasium, day care, and more.
The YMCA has applied for a grant and they are working with U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, Department of Human Services, and Department of Aging on needs and what they would like to see at the Y.
Zouski said that there is also interest in the North Annex. The move to the Government Center will be in May and equipment will be evaluated through June to see what is needed in the new center and what can be inventoried for sale.
Discussion was held on the revision of the job description for the Waushara County Administrator and following discussion and suggestions the revisions were approved. The job will be posted for 30 days and the county may consider hiring a consultant with the process.
Land Conservation and Zoning Director, Todd Wahler, gave his annual report to the county leading with the year that was marred with the highest inflationary numbers in 40 years and interest rates topping 8%. Even with these stats his office witnessed another record year in terms of permits issued and overall revenue.
“We saw the second highest number of Land Use Permits issued, the fourth highest number of Sanitary Permits and the second largest amount of revenue brought in by our Building Inspection Company at $266,000, down slightly from 2022,” Wahler said. He added his office issued 523 land use permits for 66 new homes, 111 additions to homes, and 346 accessory structures.
The office also issued 200 sanitary permits authorizing 79 new private onsite wastewater treatment systems, 92 replacement systems, and 11 reconnections to existing systems. There were 3,303 mandatory septic system maintenance notices sent out to Waushara County landowners, resulting in 84 citations, with only 7 of those remaining as outstanding. This represents an overall compliance rate of 99.7%, he added.
The ARPA Water Quality Initiative Program saw the installation of 28 Point Source Reverse Osmosis Systems and 4 Whole House Reverse Osmosis Systems to 32 private households throughout the county.
Wahler said that the 16th Annual Conservation Field Days environment learning event will be held on Sept. 28-29 at Camp Lucerne. Last year 210 5th graders from throughout the county attended. He said the two-day event is a great learning experience and has received a positive response from the schools that attended.
In other business the county passed a resolution thanking the Aurora Snowblazers Snowmobile Club for their contributions to Otto Brey Park; a resolution confirming the appointment of Michael Lechner as Facilities and Parks Management Director; and the appointments of Donna Kalata, Mike Leikness, Ken Peterson, and Linda Steffen to the Ethics Board for a term from April 1, 2024 to May 31, 2027.
The board proclaimed April 1-7 as National Public Health Week.
The next meeting of the Waushara County Board of Supervisors will be an organization meeting beginning at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 16 at the Waushara County Courthouse, Wautoma.