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Muscoda Village Board okays October hearing on sewer rates
Muscoda

MUSCODA - At the regular meeting of the Muscoda village board Tuesday, September 8, approval was given to conduct a public hearing at the October board meeting regarding the proposed increase in sanitary sewer rates.

At the July meeting of the board, Bart Nies of Delta 3 Engineering, Platteville, told the board that the sanitary system is “losing money every day,” and that it had been 21 years since there was a rate increase.

Earlier this year Nies provided the board with several possibilities for adjusting the rates and it was indicated Tuesday evening they are now considering a five-year plan that will be discussed during a public hearing scheduled for the October 13 regular board meeting.

The local American Legion offered to provide and pay for three or four concrete pads with picnic tables in Railroad Park. The board sanctioned the additional tables but not the pads, citing the use of the park by crafters, etc. during Morel Mushroom Festivals.

Village Superintendent Troy Wardell noted his crew would be willing to take care of storing the tables during the off-season and return them in the spring. The Legion conducts a popular “Burgers in the Park” the last Wednesday of each month from spring until fall, weather permitting.

The board approved two private well permits for properties at 330 Deer Run Road and at 430 W. Beach Street. One well will produce water for household use, the other for yard and garden use.

Allocations of two money funds available through WPPI, the village electricity provider, were postponed. One fund is for $4,300 to be used for Covid-19 recovery and the other, $1,500, is for community betterment projects.

The decision to hold or cancel Halloween Trick or Treating, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, was postponed until next month. During the summer many area events that would have included passing out candy to children were cancelled.

Fall decorations

It was noted that fall decorating of light poles and business locations are similar to last year. No prizes will be offered but decorating is encouraged as a symbol of community pride. No permission is necessary to use a light pole. However it is requested that decorations be removed from poles by November 3, Election Day.

Chief of Police Bill Schramm said that getting officers for part-time duty is becoming difficult and it might be wise to consider the status of part-time officer pay. The subject was postponed until the village budget is being considered during coming months.

There was discussion regarding the Riverside Park temporary camper section that was especially busy during recent weekends, including Labor Day. Mentioned was a disagreement between two campers regarding campsite boundaries at two adjoining riverbank sites.

Chief Schramm noted that there were also some noise issues. He said about $50 worth of firewood was taken without pay from the serve-yourself firewood station operated by his 10-year-old sons James and Wyatt. He said some of that wood was “recovered.”

The board gave the okay to move the firewood stand to a different location, closer to a park security camera.