Lake Holcombe Town Board; Ditch project turning into a nightmare for all concerned
Lake Holcombe Town Board members discussed the ongoing ditching project on County Hwy. M, during a meeting Oct. 14. The road is blocked off while work is in progress, with traffic detoured through the downtown area, but barricades are moved when crews are not there. Photo by Ginna Young
By Ginna Young
The area along County Hwy. M by the Lake Holcombe Lions Club, needs something done to correct the wet conditions in the right-of-way. So, Chippewa County, who owns the right-of-ways, decided to ditch out the section by the Lions field and have the Town of Lake Holcombe raise the sewer lines there.
The project got going Oct. 11, with traffic detoured around M on town roads, out to State Hwy. 27. However, it hasn’t been without hiccups, as reported at a regular Lake Holcombe Town Board meeting Oct. 14.
Although the town put the sewer project out for bids, none came in. The county said it was OK, because they had someone to do the work, but that company fell through. Another company was rounded up, but the problems don’t stop, as it’s unclear what the financial responsibilities will be.
Hwy. M is open to traffic from time to time, when work is not in progress, which is good, because UTVs and ATVs are going around barricades into the private yard along that section.
“That has turned out to be more of a nightmare than you can believe,” said town chairman Brian Guthman. “It’s kind of a mess.”
Supervisor David Staudacher said he thinks someone from the Lions should speak to the county, as a bulldozer for the project is turning around on the club’s blacktopped driveway.
“They can turn around on the road,” said Staudacher. “They scuffed it pretty good.”
Guthman said it is possible the driveway will be torn out anyway, as the culvert to be inserted there is quite large. If that happens, Guthman says he thinks the driveway section will be replaced by the county.
“It would be common sense, I would think,” he said. “It’s their project.”
Another common sense thing, is for residents to mulch the leaves on their property and not remove them from their lawn, which includes blowing them into the lake or dumping them in the town right-of-way.
“Let them go into the soil,” said Guthman.
If the town’s yard waste disposal site takes in too many leaves this fall, the town will need a special permit and they may be forced to field spread the excess.
“We don’t have fields to spread them on…so, we’d have to pay someone to get rid of them,” said Guthman.
Although she knows they are trying to cut down on amounts taken in at the waste site, resident Jennifer Steen mentioned that many people don’t know when the site is even open.
“I think there should be a lot more advertisement about that,” said Steen.
Town clerk Tracey Larson asked where Steen would suggest they advertise, as every resident gets an informational letter in their tax bill and the information is on the town’s website. Steen said the clerk could send out an email to the residents, but Larson says she doesn’t have emails, only addresses.
Guthman pointed out that in order for a resident to get a sticker to dispose of leaves and brush at the site, they need to contact the clerk anyway.
As a notice, because of staffing confl icts, the waste site will be open earlier the fourth Saturday of October, from 8-11 a.m.
Guthman said there’s also an issue on 240th Avenue on a shared road with Estella Township. A resident keeps piling brush in the right-of-way there, although town officials have talked to them multiple times.
“We’re responsible for stuff that’s in the ditch, too,” said Guthman. “If someone runs off the road and the town has left stuff in the ditch…we can be liable.”
Piled up things in the ditches also causes problems plowing snow and allows water to build up, pushing out the pavement. It was agreed to send a certified letter to the resident, informing them action will be taken if the matter is not resolved.
Also discussed, was the recent Recycle Round-up, where the town took a “beating,” since they pay to have dumpsters brought in and removed, regardless of what goes in them.
“We only had 12 people at the last one,” said Guthman.
Members discussed maybe only having the round-up once a year, instead of in the spring and fall.
“They just seem too close together for me,” said supervisor Doug Olson.
Steen asked if the town would consider combining with another township, such as Birch Creek. The board agreed they would reach out and see if there is any interest in that venture.
“It’d split the cost down,” said town treasurer Jim Mataczynski.
Earlier this year, two residents approached the town, asking if something could be done about the snowmobile route on 275th Avenue, as some of the machines were cutting into their properties and endangering people.
“Whatever happened to that?” asked resident Jill Zehe.
Guthman said the routes have since been moved, but the signs are still there. The route now goes down Fisk Road, but now that the right-of-way by Staudacher Field was returned to the Lions, Guthman is not sure what is happening with that.
“We’ll get in touch with them (snowmobile club) and see,” said Guthman.
During the meeting, Trick-or-Treat hours were set for residents, from 3-6 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 31. In addition, overnight parking restrictions begin Nov. 1, from 2-6 a.m., where vehicles must park elsewhere to allow for snow removal.
As a reminder, residents need to check with the town before building, in the event they may need a permit.
