Grunseth honored for almost two decades of service as Gilman trustee

It was an emotional moment at the regular Gilman Village Board meeting Aug. 11, as president Jane DeStaercke and the board trustees, presented trustee Eileen Grunseth with a certificate of appreciation and a plant, to send her on her next journey. Grunseth is locating out of the area, after serving 16 years as a trustee.

“Eileen has earned the admiration and high regard of the community, and the other trustees,” said DeStaercke. “Her years of service have been marked by her dedication to the best interests of the village. Her performance of duties for the village and in local organizations, has characterized her love for the community and its betterment.”

Grunseth gratefully accepted the acknowledgments and promised she’ll still be around.

In other board business, members approved the assessor’s contract with Robert J. Prokop for $3,700.

“There are no changes from previous years,” said DeStaercke, adding that Prokop agreed to stay on for another year at least. “Assessors are hard to come by.”

The board also agreed to go with Cloverleaf, for a prebuy price of LP at $1.31/gallon.

“If we don’t have enough LP and have to buy in the spring, or whenever, do we have to pay the going rate then?” asked trustee Greg Steinbach.

Candice Grunseth, village clerk, said yes, but that the village has never had to buy extra fuel as long as she’s been with the village and that they even had a surplus last spring.

“Hopefully, it’s not a cold year,” said C. Grunseth.

Members also approved a Wellhead Protection Plan, as well as a Wellhead Ordinance.

“It’s for our protection,” said DeStaercke.

It was recommended two years ago, that the village put that plan in place, so C. Grunseth and public works director Rick Johnson sat down, and hammered out the details, with some help from an expert.

The board also approved the 2021-05 Library Share Resolution.

“This is money we allocate,” said DeStaercke.

DeStaercke also mentioned that the repair of the broken sewer line to the north of the library/village hall running under the highway is finished, and that she did need to approve the work in the pattern of the old installation engineering.

“We wanted to follow the same path that we had before, because it was much more practical,” said DeStaercke.

Johnson says the paving to repair the hole made is also complete.

“She should hold,” said Johnson.

The sidewalk outside the library was also repaired/ completed, as long as the area was torn up.

C. Grunseth also informed the board, that Taylor County is working on broadband along State Hwy. 64, from Medford to Gilman.

“One discussion was utilizing our water tower,” said C. Grunseth. “They feel that our water tower is high enough to make the six-mile radius that they need to cover out to Chippewa County.”