The Gays Mills Village Board learned that Town and Country Engineering made some requested changes to the plan for a new village sewer plan and has resubmitted it to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for approval.
Town and Country’s Lisa Twarog told the board during their meeting Monday night that it could take from 0 to 12 months for DNR approval.
In a related development, the board learned during the public works report that a part being manufactured for the aging sewer plant should arrive soon. In the meantime, the village continues to use appropriate chemicals in the processing of sewage at the plant.
The board discussed the need for contracting for the services of the Crawford County Sheriff’s Deputies to help with enforcing village ordinances. An example would be having a deputy serve papers on the owners of unregistered junk vehicles.
The board approved entering into a contract with the county sheriff’s department to have the use of deputies for the village at the cost of $35 per hour. It was noted that the list of unregistered junk vehicles is currently being updated.
The board also considered renting the second floor space at 212 Main Street (the old Community Building) for $200 per month with an additional $30 per month for electricity. The space will be heated with electricity.
Gays Mills Village Trustees Kevin Murray and Art Winsor questioned whether $30 per month would cover the electric bill.
Heisz pointed out that taken together the rent and the electric payment would help the village get some return on the building.
The building is used for a variety of activities including some indoor pickleball two or three times per week. Family gatherings, weddings and a host of other activities all occur there. The once monthly Second Harvest Food Pantry takes place there, as well.
After some discussion, village trustee Ethan Eitsert moved to offer a six-month lease at $200 per month rent with a monthly electric payment of $30. The board agreed to look at the results in six months and either renew or re-negotiate the lease. The renter will use the space to make t-shirts and other things with images on them.
At one point, former Gays Mills President Craig Anderson recalled what he called “a popular uprising” that erupted when the board tried to sell the building about 10 or 12 years ago.
“People did not want the village to sell the building,” Anderson said.
Emily Kinserdahl made a motion to have a real estate broker give the village an estimated price for the building. Murray seconded the motion. It was made clear that the village was not looking for an appraisal, but rather a Broker’s Price Opinion. The motion passed, but trustee Larry McCarn voted against the motion.
In other business, the Gays Mills Village Board:
• approved buying a John Deere rear-discharge mower from Tractor Central in Westby for $8,999 using a $6,500 trade allowance for the village’s old mower
• accepted a certified survey map of the property in the Town of Clayton where the storage units are located on Highway 131- the map is necessary to complete the sale of that business
• approved hiring Vierbicher Engineering Services to administer and manage a sewer replacement project this spring or summer for one block of Highway 171 running alongside the Royal Bank
• learned that through contracts with the federal government the Gays Mills Mercantile Center cannot be offered for sale on the real estate market for the next six years
• learned that the village’s building inspector Brad Smrcina is not renewing his contract with the village-possible replacements could include Jeremy Krachey, Wauzeka; Wayne Haugrud, LaFarge; Vincent Schmitz, Cashton; and Mike Parrot, General Engineering
• approved Emily Bialkowski to serve another term as library trustee.
• set the date of the next meeting for Monday, March 2 at 6 p.m.
Following a closed session, the Gays Mills Village Board reconvened in open session and approved a motion to not employ the village’s current part time worker. The board agreed to fill in with others until they could find a more permanent solution.
