Lake Holcombe Town Board; Stickers required for admittance to yard waste site
With spring fast approaching, the Lake Holcombe Town yard waste site is again on the discussion board, with how to provide access to residents. The matter was brought up Feb. 11, at the town’s regular board meeting.
It was agreed, previously, that there must be some way to keep track of who uses the site, with citizens required to purchase an admission sticker. Tracey Larson, board clerk, looked into the cost of getting 200 stickers per year, and brought her findings back to the board.
For 200 progressive, pre-numbered, front-facing adhesive stickers, FASTSIGNS out of Eau Claire, would charge $142, while JM Screen Printing in Cornell, offered the work for $95, with a $15 set-up.
“Well, we’d rather give the business to Cornell, anyway,” said board chairman Brian Guthman.
The other members agreed they should keep business local, if possible, and approved setting the price for each sticker at $10 for an annual fee. However, for those who turn in their key which previously unlocked the unmanned site, the sticker will be free.
That offer expires once the site is closed, and if people never had a key or can’t come up with their key, they will pay the sticker fee. The board agreed to keep the same annual price here on out, which still will not make an even break with upkeep and staffing at the site.
“I don’t think that’s unreasonable,” said supervisor David Staudacher.
As the members pointed out, the stickers, once available, will act as an accountability piece, to make sure town residents only are using the site.
The board also heard how Rural Insurance came back with a proposal on properly insuring the town’s property/buildings, after talking over the matter the last few meetings. The town was told they need to “up” their insurance, or they could get a penalty.
Now, the town will pay an additional $1,600, instead of a full $2,500, because it’s a mid-year switch. For example, if the town only has $50,000 coverage on a $100,000 building and something happens, the town would not even be eligible to receive the $50,000, because the property is undervalued.
Eva Curtis, Rural Insurance representative, says she may be able to get the town a better deal when the policy is re-written next year, to reflect the changes.
“I think we’ve almost got to do this,” said Guthman. “I think she’s working with us as much as she possibly can.”
Members also brought up an ongoing issue of a garage sitting in the town’s right-ofway on 296th Avenue. In talking with Chippewa County, one solution would be that the town would abandon the right-of-way and sell the county the land, as it is a dead end road and falls under shoreline zoning.
However, the property owner’s neighbor has an interest in the matter, as the garage is half on the neighbor’s property. Therefore, the county suggested the garage owner approach their neighbor and get enough of their property deeded over to allow the garage to stay where it is, which provides a legal easement.
The town set a deadline of April 1, for the matter to be worked out or for the owner to be required to remove the garage.
Members also are still trying to find ways to update their many outdated ordinances, but so far, an ordinance company has yet to be found that could re-write the documents. Guthman says in his research on the matter, he’s found that most townships “steal” ordinances from neighboring towns and rework them to fit their needs, then send them to a lawyer to approve.
Most ordinances do not require a public hearing before they are passed.
“If an attorney writes all of them, it’s very, very expensive,” said Guthman.
Larson says she already has permission from the Town of Willard to “steal” their ordinances, as that township recently re-did theirs.
Guthman also reported that the snowmobile trail through the town has been moved, after the matter was brought up at the last month’s meeting, that some people traveling through on the winter recreation vehicles, were abusing the privilege. Guthman says he is grateful the local snowmobile club acted on that right away.
The trail now runs along 270th Avenue, going east from Eastbay Lodge, and south on 278th Street.
“So, that took care of that,” said Guthman.
It was also reported that Fred Anderson, with Chippewa County, is looking into what can be done on County Hwy. M, in front of the Lions park, where water congregates in the ditches. Anderson wanted to know where sewer lines were located, among other things.
“That was a good sign, that at least something was happening,” said Guthman. “It’s been an ongoing issue since I was a kid.”
Guthman also informed the board that Bruce Jones says he has decided he needs to plow for the Town of Marshall, as they need help with their roads. With the notice, Guthman began recruiting efforts and found that Gerald “Chief” Kent is willing to help with snow removal.
It was agreed that Kent will receive the same rate of pay as Jones.
“He knows the job, he’s already done it in the past,” said Guthman.
