Lake Holcombe Town Board; New furnaces and air conditioning join WiFi at hall

By Ginna Young

To help with getting more use out of the Lake Holcombe town hall, three new furnaces will be installed, as well as two air conditioners, something the building didn’t have before. The bids for the project were approved at a regular board meeting Sept. 16, using funds from the American Rescue Plan Acts (ARPA).

Bids were received from Hovland Heating & Air, Erv Smith Services, Gene’s Heating & Cooling and Chippewa Valley Mechanical. The systems will be compatible with the WiFi that’s going to be installed, so a town official can get alerts on their phone if something goes wrong or they need to adjust the temperature.

Chippewa Valley Mechanical’s bid was accepted, with the removal of a third air conditioner from the bid, which would have been stationed in the basement.

“I haven’t had any issues this year, since the new gutters went on,” said Ben Jordan, town roadman, adding that the basement also has a dehumidifier to help with drying out moisture.

“The groundwater is lower than it was three to four years ago,” said supervisor Doug Olson.

Resident Andrew Burgraff suggested that the town may want to put in an extra elbow in the basement, in case they want a third air conditioning unit in the future. Jordan and chairman Brian Guthman agreed that would actually be more expensive down the road, and that they would need far more than the elbow.

Jordan also said that he’s worried since it’s always cold in the basement, anyway, that the air would need to be set very low to even come on.

Although it’s not set in stone yet, Chippewa County is planning to “ditch out” the watery area along County Hwy. M and wants the town to lower the sanitary district sewers at the same time. The project will be put on bids on Holcombe’s end, since the cost will be over $15,000.

“The sanitary district really doesn’t have that extra money,” said Guthman, meaning the town will have to make up the difference.

“But it’s their (county) road,” said Olson.

Guthman says he feels frustrated, as well, as the county wants to detour M and use the town roads for the route-around, with an estimate of four to five weeks for the project to be completed. He said the county wanted to close M down the entire time, but that he pointed out that the Holcombe United Methodist Church, Lions club park and a private residence are located along that stretch.

Guthman says he is not sure how that will play out, but bids will be opened at the next Sanitary Board meeting Sept. 29.

Also approved, was lowering a speed limit on 271st Street, where children live along that stretch near the Lions park and where many people walk along that area. The speed is currently set at 35 mph, but Guthman said it really should be 25 mph.

The county agreed to the lowered speed and the sheriff’s department said they would enforce the change. Jordan said he will look and see if they have any signs on hand, but may have to order some before the change takes effect.

Another town road was discussed, as Guthman said the town crew did great work on the Pine Lake road, clearing brush in rightof- ways “We’ve been getting many, many compliments,” said Guthman. However, Guthman says it is concerning, as the town is still having problems with people leaving garbage at the Wayside Park, even finding a discarded car battery. The town did close the beach area for the season, but are leaving the picnic tables out and the bathroom open at the pavilion for a while.

“Fall is kind of a nice time to go out there and have a picnic yet,” said Guthman.

Also approved during the meeting, was the annual Chippewa County Humane Association contract, at a $1.15 per capita ($1,197.15). With the contract, animals atlarge can be taken to the society by residents or by Guthman, who will be given an access code to the building.

“It is very good to just take it (animal) down there and not have to worry about it,” said Guthman.

There’s much construction happening around Holcombe, but most of the time, the town doesn’t receive a building application. Tracey Larson, clerk, said she will send out a general reminder letter, that residents are required to approach the city about acquiring a building permit.

Members also set the annual budget hearing at 6:30 p.m., with an electors’ meeting to approve the budget, prior to the regular meeting, Nov. 11.