Elmwood Board Report Nov. 2011

Elmwood Village Board Approves Water & Sewer Rate Increases
Submitted by Rick A. Talford
Citizen Journalist


ELMWOOD, WI - November 14, 2011 the Elmwood Village Board held their monthly meeting at the Auditorium. The meeting began at 6:45 pm for the Public Hearing on the 2012 Budget. There was a short discussion over the budget information, then a vote was taken. Trustees Mike Sand and Rick Stohr were not present for the vote. The hearing then adjourned at 6:55 pm. The regular board meeting then began after the hearing was adjourned. The Budget was then adopted after another vote. Trustee Rick Stohr was then present. There was no public input at this meeting.

A sewer rate increase was the next item on the agenda. Trustee Neil Boltic made the motion to have the basic fee of $11.00 per month be increased to $13.00. This was approved. Trustee Trisha Knops then made a motion to have the water rate increased by three percent. This was also approved.

Two Operators Licenses were approved for Nickole Bauer and Jodell Ottman. The board also had interviews for the potential assessors position with the village. Galen Seipel, Robert Irwin and Peter Post were interviewed without any action being taken by the board.

In Committee and Board Reports - The Library committee had a meeting on 11-14-11. There will be two signatures required for all checks from the library now, and a credit card will begin to be used for purchases as well. The possibility of some new Kindles may be in their future too. The employee’s will be receiving a three percent raise this year, was also noted.

The Nursing Home committee had a meeting on 11-8-11. They discussed the purchase of a new hot water heater that had a cost of $14,655.00. Hurlburt Heating will do the installation work. They have also hired a Interior Designer to do some work, up to $1,000.00.The nursing home currently has 40 residents, and they have accepted a bid from Paul Peterson to do work at a building on Elm Street.

The Parks and Buildings committee met 11-14-11 to discuss the removal of the Piano from the village dining hall, and the hanging of a quilt upstairs. The removal of the pop machine from upstairs was also approved by the committee. The reason for the removal was stated to be a cost effective issue.

The Police committee met 11-14-11 to talk over the Personnel Policy and the residency requirements. There were also amendments made to the new Conceal and Carry Ordinance 2011-04. This ordinance makes it unlawful to carry a weapon into any village owned or operated properties, as well as the public school property or within 1000 feet of a public school. There are also restrictions against having a weapon in an open courtroom, a private or public building that has correct signage, a community-type event which lasts no longer than (3) three weeks, has proper signage, and for which admission is charged. There is one final area that a concealed weapon may not be, and that is any taverns, or locations where alcohol consumption may occur. The conceal and carry laws for the State of WI are allowing handguns, tazers, knives, and clubs. No switchblades are allowed or covered by this new law or ordinances. Reading the Elmwood Ordinance, no switchblades or clubs are being allowed under this ordinance.

The Public Works committee met on 11-12-11 to put together the new water and sewer rate increases, and approve the purchase of a new wing plow.

The Personnel and Finance Committee met on 10-25-11 for the Budget discussions.

Absent from the meeting was Trustee Mike Sand. The meeting then adjourned at 8:00 pm.