Cadott Village Board; Library gets tentative approval for new location

Cadott Community Library director Samma Johnson (left) and library board president Katherine “Cookie” Kaste, were on hand at a regular Cadott Village Board meeting, Aug. 16, to ask for permission to use the village- owned lot in front of the bus garage, just off State Hwy. 27, for a new library building. Village board members gave tentative approval, with a suggestion to follow up on what challenges the geology of the lot may pose for building. Photo by Julia Wolf

By Julia Wolf

With multiple years of discussion on the subject behind them, the Cadott Community Library Board decided they would like to move forward with a new library building. Library board members approached the village to ask for use of a village-owned lot, during a regular Cadott Village Board meeting Aug. 16.

Library board president Katherine “Cookie” Kaste says they have come to the conclusion that they want to find a spot and start fundraising.

“After looking at a number of different locations, we feel that the lot in front of the bus garage there on (State Hwy. 27)...would be an ideal location to build a new library,” said Kaste.

Kaste requested permission to use that land, on behalf of the library board.

Library director Samma Johnson says, if she remembers correctly from her conversations with Cedar Corp., the lot is about an acre and a half.

“It’s ideal, in that it’s enough room for a library, and potentially some kind of a community center or senior center,” said Johnson.

Kaste says a senior center could help the project receive larger grants.

“I think a senior center would certainly be needed, but if all we can afford at this time is just a library, the board would certainly be willing to go with that,” said Kaste.

Johnson says the space would also allow for future growth, if the library runs out of space again.

Other locations the library board have looked at and considered, are the property available on the corner of Chippewa Street and Main Street, which would be a complete tear-down, on top of purchasing the property, as well as the spot on Main Street where the clinic is.

The clinic location would also require a tear-down, and would not solve the library’s parking or space problems.

“That’s the biggest complaint we get, is about parking,” said Johnson.

Kaste says she realizes a lot of people would like to see the library stay in the downtown area, but says that does not appear to be the best option right now.

Johnson also had an old feasibility study on hand, where the area had been discussed for a community building in the past. That rendering was for a 13,200 square feet building.

“Obviously, we don’t need quite that much space yet,” said Johnson.

Right now, Johnson says they are aiming for a 5,0008,000 square feet building, all on one floor.

Kaste also says there have been instances where people have been unable to get into the library, since it is not handicap accessible, and they do not want to wait until there is a lawsuit to take action.

“It’s going to be a while before we can get it up and going, but we want to do it right,” said Kaste.

Anson Albarado, village board president, asked if the library board would take over ownership of the land, if use of the lot is approved. Johnson says state law says the municipality is responsible for the library building, regardless of where it is, but the library board would take on the responsibility of fundraising, grant writing and getting the new place built.

Village board members agreed the location sounds like a good spot.

Board member Les Liptak suggested the library board talk to Rolly Tichy, public works, about the geology of the lot, as he remembers granite or something, being an issue for sewer and water in the past. Liptak says he doesn’t think the geology prevented building there, but could increase cost.

“We’re not going to have a basement and the fact that we know about it ahead of time, it can be built into the plans,” said Kaste.

Members gave the library board tentative approval to use the lot for the library.

A public hearing was also held, on amending zoning uses in residential and non-residential districts, pertaining to solar arrays. Village clerk Sandy Buetow says the village is looking to add information about solar access and solar arrays to the ordinances.

No public was in attendance to speak on the matter.

The first reading of the ordinances was up later in the meeting. Russ Falkenberg, board member, wondered if the ordinances should reference the state and national electrical codes.

The ordinances will be on the next agenda, as the board waits for more information.

Members also approved a Certified Survey Map for Bart Chapek at 110/112 S. Ash Street. The action makes the lot large enough for a duplex to go on the property.

“It’s all a technicality, because I own all the land around it,” said Chapek, who abstained from the vote.

As a notice to the public, the next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 7, because of the Labor Day holiday.