Spencer community hears report on latest events in the village
Community members in the village of Spencer were able to get an update on some of the goings-on in the village as well as have some questions answered at the 'What's Up In Spencer?' question-and-answer session held at the Spencer Public Library April 11. Nearly two dozen residents of the village came to the session to listen to reports from Spencer Police Chief Shawn Bauer and Spencer Administrator/ Clerk/Treasurer Paul Hensch. The two covered events from the past year and future projects in the village.
In his report, Bauer spoke to the residents about the total call numbers for 2022, the latest update to the process on getting a school resource officer for the Spencer School District and a few other subjects related to crime and mental health.
For 2022, the Spencer Police Department responded to 2,625 calls. Bauer broke some of these numbers down, listing the top 10 reasons why the Spencer officers were called. The top reason for calls was for traffic stops, with 911 calls. Number two on the list was extra patrols, which Bauer said were done 247 times last year. Miscellaneous service calls, which are calls for a variety of complaints by citizens, was ranked third with 182 calls. Medical calls were next on the list with 158, and 136 calls were made about nuisance properties such as junkyards or yards where the lawn wasn't trimmed.
Ranked sixth on the list was follow-up investigations, of which there were 94. There were 78 criminal miscellaneous calls last year and 72 hang-up calls after someone dialed 911. The ninth reason for calls on the list was for business security checks, with 63 checks completed in 2022. The number 10 spot was tied with 60 calls each for animal welfare checks/complaints and suspicious activity.
Bauer also gave an update on the Spencer School District's work to hire a school resource officer. It had been decided that the position will be for an officer that will work at the school beginning this fall, with the option of some fill-in work for the village. The officer's primary duties will be to work with the school staff and students with their concerns and to complete an annual safety survey on the school's ability to follow safety guidelines.
Continuing his report, Bauer said the village of Spencer had its first drug overdose homicide last year, and a suspect in custody at the Stanley Correctional Facility has been charged with first degree reckless homicide and drug distribution in relation to the case.
Bauer also informed the residents in attendance of a presentation on June 22 he would attend on protection for places of worship. He intends to follow up with local clergy on making sure their buildings are safe.
Village Updates Hensch also spoke at the meeting, giving updates on the progress of several street projects, a well project, community projects and the introduction of new businesses to the community. To address the numerous potholes that have come up due to the spring thaw, the village has used nearly eight tons of cold patching to repair damages so far this year. The village is also working on a $3 million project to repair Park Street in 2024.
Moving on to other projects, Hensch said the village is also in the process of building a new well, number seven, near Roberts Street. For the past five years, Hensch said the village has tried several times to find another source of water for the village that wasn't contaminated by water from the nearby swamp. Currently, the village has two main wells that supply residents with water, Well 6 and Well 1. Well 1 is an old well that supplies about 25 percent of the village's water and Well 6, dug in 2014, supplies about 65 percent of the village's water supply. The rest of the village's water comes from Well 5, said Hensch, but that well is failing.
With the additional well being dug, the village will be able to provide water to residents and businesses, even as the community continues to expand. Hensch said the cost to drill the new well will be around $5 million and will be paid for with a $1.5 million grant and a long-term loan from the Department of Natural Resourcces.
Hensch also mentioned a few new businesses that will be moving into Spencer and bring in new jobs this year. Wisconsin Concrete and ALPHA Process Systems will construct facilities in the Spencer Industrial Park. The two businesses are expected to bring in about 60 jobs.
A new apartment complex site by S.C. Swiderski will also be constructed in the new subdivision on the southwestern side of the village. There will be 46 units built, with units made to accommodate the elderly and those in need of handicap accessibility. Hensch also spoke briefly about the community projects to bring in a pickleball court into the ARC Park, new playground equipment at the Spencer School District and a new stage on the old tennis courts in the Lions Park. All these projects, he said, were being community funded without a cost to taxpayers.
