Stratford to negotiate easements for Safe Routes project

Six Stratford residents will soon receive letters from the village seeking to negotiate temporary or permanent easements as part of a Safe Routes to School project planned for next year.

Negotiating the easements is the next step in a multi-year process that will result in a new section of sidewalk being constructed on the east side of STH 97, from Mediterranean Place Mobile Home Court to Reflection Street, along with new flashing traffic beacons and other improvements on Trailview and Spirit streets.

Engineer Dan Borchardt of MSA Professional Services spoke to the village board about the project at its Aug. 12 meeting, which included four agenda items for trustees to approve. The first was a design study report, written by MSA, which includes detailed descriptions and maps of the road plans that needed to be accepted by the village before it moves into real estate negotiations with property owners along the construction corridor.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation, which is providing funding for the project, has already signed off the design study report, Borchardt said.

“So, we’re ready to enter into the real estate phase of the project,” he said. “They’re happy with the plans as they sit right now, for the real estate the village would need to complete the project.”

Other documents approved by the board included a sidewalk relocation order and right-of-way plat map describing the boundaries of the project area, along with an MSA contract for real estate services.

Of the six property owners set to receive letters about the project, two of them will be asked to negotiate permanent limited easements to allow storm sewer pipes to cross their properties, while the other four will be asked to sign off on temporary easements for construction work to be done on portions of their properties.

Borchardt said he would leave copies of the project maps with the village in case any residents would like to look at them.

The SRTS plan was first approved by the village and the Stratford School Board back in 2019 in response to concerns by parents and other members of a local task force about the safety of students and others walking along STH 97 without adequate sidewalks and crossings.

“Due to gaps in the pedestrian network, pedestrians and those with disabilities using electric personal assistive mobility devices are traveling along the roadway on gravel shoulders that are not designed for that mode of travel,” MSA wrote in its report. “These gaps and the deficient crossings can make pedestrian travel less convenient and more dangerous.”

Other business

■ The board authorized the issuance of special archery permits for hunting along the Stratford Heritage Trail this season, but it tabled the approval of a new map that delineates areas where rifles and other firearms will be allowed for hunting. Trustee Damon Englebretson, who spearheaded the effort to redo the village’s hunting map, said he realized before last Tuesday’s meeting that a section of the map did not conform with the village’s 200-yard setback from residences.

The board decided to wait for the map to be adjusted before approving it.

■ The board approved a permit for a storage container at 211775 STH 97 after the owner painted it in a color that matches the residence on the property. Trustee Todd Belter said he would like to have a larger conversation about the village’s rules for storage containers in different zones, so the issue was referred to the Public Works Committee for further discussion and possible action on a zoning amendment.

■ Resident Penny Shanks spoke to the board about possibly having a flea market and small animal swap at the Klemme Reserve. Village president Keith Grell said the type of event she is proposing is prohibited in the reserve, so he encouraged her to speak with private landowners who may be willing to host the event instead.

■ The board renewed the village’s dental and vision insurance plans through Delta Dental, with a $10 increase in dental premiums and a zero increase for vision, running from Oct. 1, 2025 to Sept. 20, 2026.

■ Following the monthly meeting, trustees and members of Stratford Water & Electric toured several of the village’s buildings and parks, with village officials pointing out improvements that may need to be included in the 2026 budget.