Abby approves minor paving projects
By Kevin O’Brien
Residents living along a couple of streets in Abbotsford should notice a significant improvement in the roads in front of their homes after the city council voted Monday to repave two sections of roadway and an alley this summer.
The council voted unanimously to accept a nearly $70,000 bid from American Asphalt to pave North Second Avenue, from Butternut to Sycamore, and North First Avenue, from Spruce to Butternut. The alleyway between Fourth Street (STH 13) and Fifth Street, from Spruce to Linden, will also be paved.
DPW Craig Stuttgen said this year’s budget has enough money available to address some problem areas that residents have been complaining about, including the alley behind Wheelers Automotive. Because American Asphalt will already be coming to Abbotsford to do other work, he said the company will not be charging separate mobilization fees.
“Instead of making us pay a patching price, when he’s in town paving, he’s just going to give us an extended unit price from the bigger jobs that he’s doing,” he said.
In other street project news, an update from MSA Professional Services said a pre-construction meeting will be held Thursday on the extensions of Linden Street to the east and Grube Drive to the north and south.
For the planned reconstruction of North First Street, all of the requirements have been fulfilled for the city to apply for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) by the May 15 deadline.
On Monday, the council approved a certified survey map that cleans up some pre-existing rightof- way issues along Fifth Street.
Three different property owners, including County Market, Brian and Charlotte Haines and Deiler Properties, agreed to deed property to the city in order to resolve the right-of-way issues before the project starts, likely in spring of 2026.
City administrator Josh Soyk said the city paid Deiler $2,000 for some additional right-of-way land beyond what it needed for the project, but Deiler donated that money to the Colby-Abbotsford Police Department.
Other business
■ Craig Johnson of West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission updated the council on the city’s comprehensive plan update, which is largely being funded by a $14,550 CDBG, with a $7,275 contribution from the city. Johnson said his colleague, Chris Straight, has had five meetings with the planning commission since last year, and a sixth meeting is planned for later this month to finalize the updated plan.
Housing needs is one of the issues being addressed by the plan update, with an emphasis on providing more affordable housing, addressing overcrowded rental units and communicating with property owners about funds available for fixing up homes.
Johnson said the plan is to have the city council approve the updated comp plan later this summer.
■ Library director Jenny Jochimsen said a children’s tea party is scheduled for Monday, May 12, at 6 p.m., and sign-up for the library’s summer reading program begins May 27.
■ The council approved the second reading of an ordinance amendment that will allow the city to charge a $100 inspection fee whenever city officials have to investigate a property maintenance or safety complaint.
■ After a brief public hearing held by the board of appeals, the city council approved a variance that will allow Jason Treankler to build a garage within the 10-foot setback on his property at 506 N. Third Ave. Soyk said the garage will still be seven feet away from the lot line, and the neighbor does not have an issue with the plans.
■ The council approved alcohol operator’s licenses for Olivia Lopez-Calhoun and Krystal Rost, both at Express Lane gas station.
