Lake Holcombe Town Board/Annual Meeting - Abandoning 296th Avenue makes sense

Jake Hepfler explained April 16, at the annual Town of Lake Holcombe annual meeting, why he wants a portion of 296th Avenue abandoned by the municipality. It was agreed by all present it is mutually beneficial to discontinue maintenance of that stretch of street. Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

A few decisions that needed to be taken care of were made April 11, at the Lake Holcombe Town Board regular meeting, as well as a special meeting, prior to the annual town meeting April 16.

One of those items approved, was the abandonment of road right-of-way of about 200 feet on 296th Avenue. Jake Hepfler owns the property all around it and asked that the town abandon that area, to allow for his future plans.

“My wife and I are planning on building our permanent residence up here,” he said. “And since we own on both sides of that road how it was originally designed, our garage is on the township road right now.”

With the abandonment, there would be no liability for either party, while the town would not need to spend money on maintenance of the roadway.

“I think it makes sense in this situation,” said Hepfler. The board also set a $10,000 fee for a Reserve Class B liquor license, with amount determined, per state statute. Clerk Tracey Larson requested that the fee be set, as someone has expressed interest in the license.

During the annual meeting, electors agreed to give $2,500 to the cemetery association; the cemetery is not a municipal entity, but if it ever got so the association couldn’t run it, the responsibility would fall on the town.

“It behooves us not to have that happen,” said town chairman Brian Guthman. “If it’s in your township, you’re obligated to take care of it.”

Without the contribution from the town, the association would be in a deficit.

“Lawn mowing is probably our biggest expense,” said cemetery representative Carol Swanson.

It was also decided to designate $1,500 to the Lake Holcombe Resort & Business Association, toward the annual public fireworks display.

“It’s a great benefit to the town,” said town supervisor David Staudacher.

Also designated, was $2,000 to the Holcombe Area Veterans Memorial, to go into the maintenance fund.

“It helps us a lot,” said memorial chairman/town treasurer Jim Mataczynski.

Those present also approved continuing to pay for the annual free swimming lessons for youth residing in the township; townships outside Lake Holcombe, pay for their children taking lessons.

Currently, there are about 60 or so kids who come to the swimming lessons, at a cost of about $1,800 to the town.

“It’s seeming to pick up a bit,” said Larson. At the regular meeting, members approved bids for roadwork in the town, accepting bids from Monarch Paving, for paving, in the amount of $84.37/unit; Haas, for shouldering, in the amount of $21.09 and pulverizing, in the amount of $.30; and Shackleton Lime Service, for gravel, in the amount of $9.83.

Discussed was abandoning part of the roadway on 290th Street, but more information is needed before going forward. The town is beginning the deed-finding process, to determine whose responsibility the roadway is.

In light of the recent County Hwy. M bridge inspection, Guthman says he has not heard anything concrete about the weight limit of 20 tons dropping, but if it does, it could go down to 10 or even 5 tons. That means school buses and EMS vehicles would not be allowed to cross it.

“That could be a real problem,” said Guthman. There’s been a lot of construction activity in the town, so Guthman reminds residents to check if a permit is needed, even if it’s not strictly something “built.”

“They do need a building permit, if they’re moving a house in,” he said.