Lake Holcombe Town Annual Meeting; Constable position abolished after lack of interest
Town electors made their voices heard on a number of issues, April 20, during the Town of Lake Holcombe’s annual meeting.
Brian Guthman, town chairman, raised the possibility of abolishing the township’s constable position with the town members present.
“No one else in the area has a constable’s position,” said Guthman.
He says people were written in for the position during voting, and they then had to go around and see if any of those people were interested in being the constable.
“It comes down to, no one really wants the job,” said Guthman.
Guthman says he talked to the Wisconsin Town’s Association, and from his understanding, abolishing the position would allow the town to hire someone to do the job. He said they could talk to the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department about taking over some of the duties that were previously the constable’s responsibilities. Guthman says many of the responsibilities of the constable have fallen on him lately.
“The other thing is, we would have a lot of liability if somebody got hurt trying to do the constable’s job,” said Guthman.
Guthman added that he talked to the sheriff and you have to be a certified police offi cer in order to do some of the elements of the constable’s position, as defined in town ordinances.
“But I still think it’s important to still have somebody who can enforce the ordinances,” said Doug Olson, town supervisor.
Town electors voted to abolish the constable’s position, and reach out to the sheriff’s department or the Cornell Police Department, to see if they can contract for some law enforcement. Guthman said Cornell may not have jurisdiction to contract with them, like the county would, but electors noted it doesn’t hurt to reach out.
Town resident Kim Hetchler also asked whether there are any plans for the old dump site on State Hwy. 27. Guthman said they did not have much luck selling it last time.
“We’ve got to at least mow it, if we’re going to own it,” said Olson.
Guthman asked residents if they would like to see the town try to sell the land again, with more advertising on social media to try to reach more people. Others suggested also listing the old dump in a local shopper, when seeking bids.
Residents voted to put the old dump site back up for sale.
At the request of the Holcombe Area Veterans Memorial, the town members also agreed to donate $2,500 for a flag pole at the site. Guthman explained that each township in the Lake Holcombe School District has been asked to give $2,500 to sponsor a flag pole.
“There will be a plaque designated for every flag pole that is given,” said Rhonda Mataczynski, town resident and member of the Holcombe Area Veterans Memorial Planning Committee.
Mataczynski says the plaque allows the township to become a part of the park, by recognizing their gift.
Gert Guthman, town resident, asked if the other townships are planning to donate a flagpole. B. Guthman said many of the other townships are holding their annual meeting the same night as Holcombe, but agreed to bring up the donation for voters.
Mataczynski says the Planning Committee has been very well received by the town- ships, when members of the committee visited the boards to talk about the project.
Olson made the motion to donate the flagpole, saying they should lead by example, since the memorial is within the Town of Lake Holcombe. Others agreed, and the donation was approved.
Dave Staudacher, town supervisor and local veteran, also requested that the flag sponsored by Lake Holcombe be the Navy flag, since each flagpole will stand beneath one of the five branches of the military, the POW/ MIA flag and the Wisconsin flag.
Town electors also approved a $2,000 donation to the Cemetery Association.
“You’ve got to remember that if the cemetery doesn’t maintain itself, and stuff, it becomes the town’s,” said B. Guthman, adding that the association does a good job running and taking care of the cemetery.
Town members also talked about a donation to the Lake Holcombe Resort and Business Association, for their annual July fireworks display.
“Is $500 enough?” asked G. Guthman, adding that fireworks can cost quite a bit.
Sue Staudacher, town resident, made the motion that they stick with $500, the amount the town has donated in the past, since the letter the town received did not ask for a specifi c amount and no one from the association was present to answer questions. Others agreed, and a $500 donation was approved.
Electors also voted to continue to offer swimming lessons for youth at Wayside Park.
B. Guthman also gave an update on the yard waste site. He says the area is licensed as a brush burning site, and is open on the second and fourth Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to noon. B. Guthman says they are not licensed for other yard waste, such as leaves and grass clippings.
“The DNR is encouraging people to do more mulching into their yard,” said B. Guthman.
B. Guthman also reported the town annual report and financials were not available for the annual meeting, but should be ready by the next regular meeting, for sure.
