March 2012 Elmwood Village/Library meeting

“Elmwood’s Village and Library Trustees have Joint Meeting”

Submitted by Rick A. Talford
Citizen Journalist


ELMWOOD, WI - Monday March 12, 2012 was the Elmwood Village Board Meeting, held at the village auditorium. All members of the board were present at the meetings start, except Trustee Neil Boltic (who arrived late). The Library Trustees (Sandra Weix, Dan Flory, Kathy Miller, and Wayne Nohelty) all attended this meeting as well.

In Public Input, Natalie Ginsbach spoke to the board about the possibility of having a March of Dimes Fundraiser-Walk in June 2012. Resident Marty Reiner provided an update about the upcoming Memorial Day Dedication at the newly renovated Veterans Park. He requested that the village close off the street for the event, and also turn on the water to the old fire-hall building. The request was going to be referred to the Public Works Committee for consideration. Mr. Reiner then asked about the boundaries for the Legion, at Veterans Park. This was referred to the Public Works Committee for answers.

Operators Licenses were approved for Nicholas Zopp and Kelsie Nygren at the local Cenex station. The Village then received a report from the Village Assessor. Bob Irwin provided information to the members, that the village property sales were down thirty to thirty-six percent on older properties. He then stated “Fifteen percent drop on other properties.” There will be a mill rate adjustment at the end of the year, as he will keep track of the changes going forward.

The local USDA-Rural Development had a few representatives at the meeting to discuss the future sewer plant changes that are being looked at. Susan Larson and Nate Billinghurst (USDA-RD) provided information to the board members about the needed plans to go forward with a new plant, and the grants that will be needed to help construct it. Tim Stockwell from FOTH, also spoke to the members about the specifics of a new plant.

In Committee and Board Reports, the Library Committee was to be holding a meeting on March 13. Trustee Trisha Knops, provided information from the Nursing Home Committee. A meeting was scheduled for March 13, and there was no meeting held in February. She also stated “Janelle Asher was hired for the Director of Nursing position.” The Personnel and Finance Committee met prior to the board meeting, and accepted Schuler Insurance to continue coverage for all the village needs. The Public Works Committee Trustee, Mike Sand then spoke to the board. The committee met on March 9, and decided to do a complete re-construction of Winter Ave., and all citizens that are not currently connected to the village system will be contacted by letter, to inform them of the upcoming work and changes. There were no meetings for the Police or Parks and Building Committees. The regular board meeting then adjourned at 7:59 pm.

A “Closed Session Meeting” was then held with the Library Trustees, from 7:59 to 9:18 PM. The Library Committee President Sandra Weix, then brought the meeting to order. Village Trustee Brian Buck made a motion to make Village President Bill Stewart the Chair of this meeting. Trustee Neil Boltic provided the second. Trustee Neil Boltic then made a motion to make Village Clerk Amy Wayne the Clerk for this meeting, and Buck provided the second. There was no information provided to the public in regards to the reason for this meeting, nor was any information released after the meeting returned into “Open Session.”

If anyone would like an explanation on this meeting, they will need to contact the Elmwood Village Office Clerk. By state regulations, there should have been a description listed for the reasoning of a closed session meeting. I was not provided any reasons in the minutes I received from the village.

Update -4/2/12- I was contacted by the Village Clerk and provided a copy of the Agenda for this meeting. On the Agenda it was noted the closed session was a specific personnel issue that if made public could create an adverse affect to a person or persons reputation if named. This is under section 19.85(1)(f). Also it was noted that the session was also for consideration over a performance evaluation of which the board has jurisdiction over per Section 19.85(1)(c).