Lake Holcombe Town Board - Residents agree to install sign at memorial

Tony Fasbender (right) was among the Town of Lake Holcombe residents, April 15, present at the annual meeting, to help make important decisions. Fasbender had his own request, which was for the town to give a donation toward the July 4 fireworks display, which was approved. Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

Too important to make on their own, the Lake Holcombe Town Board and Holcombe Area Veterans Memorial left a decision on whether to purchase an electronic sign for the memorial site, to the voters. Discussion on the matter took place, April 15, at the annual town meeting, on whether or not the two entities should split the $16,000 cost of the sign.

One-sided, the sign would be located near where the current spotlights are that shine on the flags nightly, facing toward the highway to the east. Sitting on a pedestal, the sign would cost the $16,000 just to be delivered, but memorial chair Jim Matacyznski doesn’t think that will be an issue to install it.

“We have enough knowledgeable people that we can put this together and not have to worry about hiring someone to do it,” he said.

As for the content on the sign, easy as pie. “It’s all done through the cloud,” said Mataczynski. Resident Kim Hetchler asked if Mataczynski has talked to other townships about chipping in for the sign, but he said he has not, because the Town of Lake Holcombe owns it and will have the rights to advertising on it. However, that doesn’t mean they couldn’t could sell advertising to the other towns, to generate some income.

Town chairman Brian Guthman asked if the sign can have something besides letters and numbers, like images for holidays and special events. Mataczynski assured him that it does, with about 1,500 pre-programmed items for their disposal.

He also mentioned that they are putting in internet at the memorial site for livestreaming and for presenta when veterans outreach begins, or just for visitors to make a call, when service is sketchy.

“It’ll get used a lot,” said Mataczynski. Those present voted to go half-and-half to purchase the sign.

“We’re trying to keep it as classy as we can out there,” said Mataczynski. “You’re going to see big changes this year. Our hope is people use it as a destination.”

Also on-hand, was Tony Fasbender, with the Lake Holcombe Resort and Business Association, requesting the annual donation from the town, to help fund the July 4 fireworks, which was approved by the voters. Fasbender shared that the association does have insurance for the event, which costs $1,000 for the policy, for one day, providing $4 million of coverage.

“We appreciate all your past donations,” said Fasbender.

Voters also agreed to give $2,500 to the Cemetery Association for upkeep, since, if that organization were to fold, it would fall back on the town to run the cemetery.

“That’s something that we don’t need to do,” said Guthman.

It was also agreed to give $2,000 to the veterans memorial, as well as upping the amount set aside for swimming lessons this summer at the Wayside Park, to $3,000. Town clerk Tracey Larson requested the increase, to give her main instructor a raise and possibly hire an additional helper for the two-week session.

Everyone agreed that it’s important to fund the lessons, so that kids learn how to swim, so they can save themselves in an emergency and maybe someone else, too.

“What’s one life worth?” asked Guthman.