December 31, 2007

January 3, 2008 town board agenda

The agenda for the January 3rd town board meeting is available for download. Please note the change in meeting day from Tuesday to Thursday due to New Year's Day falling on the first Tuesday of the month. The agendas for the Plan Commission and Sanitary Districts are also posted.

Grand Chute 2008 annual budget online

The Grand Chute 2008 budget is now posted on the town Web site and available for download. The budget has been split into sections for ease of use for those with dial up connections.

December 20, 2007

December 4th meeting minutes

Minutes for the December 4th town board meeting are available for viewing and download.

December 19, 2007

Highway budget rerouted

I'd like to thank everyone that attended last night's special town meeting called to re vote on the 2008 highway budget. The budget passed successfully with a 53-7 vote.

December 18, 2007

Represenative Roth to speak at tonight's meeting

State Representative Roger Roth will be giving a legislative update at tonight's town board meeting. The regular town board meeting will take place immediately after the special town board meeting to vote on highway funds budget approval. The amended agenda is available for review.

December 13, 2007

Highway funds detoured

Voters rejected allowing the Grand Chute town board to spend more than the $610,000 road funding amount allowed by state statutes without town elector approval. The vote was taken at a November 20th special town meeting. The meeting was attended by about two dozen residents, and is a meeting held every year to approve spending above the state capped limit allowed without town elector approval. Unfortunately, while this resolution has flown through vote in past years, electors attending this year's meeting voted against it. Another meeting has been scheduled for December 18th to revisit the issue. It is imperative that we get a yes vote from town electors so the town has funds to continue operating the public works department throughout the entire 2008 budget year, and make necessary road improvements.

As residents at the special meeting cited overall lack of understanding to what this resolution entails, I've created a Q&A format including some of the most frequently asked questions.

Why do Grand Chute residents have to approve highway expenditures each year?
The Grand Chute Public Works department operates at higher than the $610,000 amount allowed by the state of Wisconsin for town expenditures of this nature. According to state statutes, any town cannot spend more than the $610,000 without elector approval. This year's operating budget for public works department, highways and road related capital improvements is $3.4 million. Therefore, a vote needs to take place every year.

Will my taxes go up because we are spending over the $610,000 amount?
By voting yes, you will not be increasing your taxes over and above the tax levy already approved by the town of Grand Chute. These funds are already allocated in the 2008 town budget. Much of this money is reimbursed through special assessments.

Why is our operating budget so much higher?
Many of you know that Grand Chute is Wisconsin's largest town. With the town's population being over 20,000, some interesting facts come into play. Grand Chute has:
295 lane miles of road
124 miles of town road
8 full time staff
4 part time staff

What is this money used for?
These funds are used to maintain all roads in Grand Chute. Maintenance includes plowing, cutting grass and weeds, cleaning the cemetery, gutter care, maintaining roadways including repairs. Funds are also used to maintain water lines and pay for powering streetlights and purchase capital equipment. It doesn't take long to surpass the $610,000 figure. For example, powering street lights alone costs $246,900 each year.

The full breakdown is listed in the 2008 budget available for residents to review at the town hall. It is listed under the Public Works, Capital Improvement, and Highway sections.

Why did voters reject approval at the last meeting?
After talking with some of the meeting attendees, I believe several factors came into play:

1. The position of the vote.
This item was directly before the vote to place the referendum for firefighters on the April ballot. Some indicated they thought by voting yes, they would be approving an item to be put for referendum.

2. Lack of explanation by the board and administration of what this vote entailed.
I've been told this resolution has been passed in previous years without discussion. This is a good lesson in never assume, and is a mistake I will not have happen again. Because the resolution was not clearly defined, some residents thought they were approving spending above the budgeted amount. Town Administrator Rohloff will be presenting a powerpoint presentation at the next meeting, clearly outlining where the funds are allocated in the 2008 budget.

3. Lack of attendees asking for clarification.

Some residents may not realize the public has the right to speak at special town meetings, and ask questions. However, it was a little disconcerting to see the most vocal detractors voting against the resolution are people running for town board positions this spring. These residents regularly attend and speak at meetings, so I was surprised they did not ask for point of order or explanation after citing lack of understanding.

Will I be able to ask questions at this meeting?
This is a special town meeting. Residents may speak and ask questions, as they are allowed to at all special town meetings.

How will the town overturn the previous no vote?
A new meeting is scheduled for December 18th at 7pm. First, attendees must agree to rescind the previous vote. As 12 people voted against the resolution last time, this will require more than 12 people to rescind. Attendance is critical. A new vote will be taken afterward.

What will happen if the resolution is rejected again?
Not passing the additional $2.8 million in road funds has the potential to have future road development come to a screeching halt. Chairman Marsden maintains failure to pass the budgeted amount will put Grand Chute public works out of business by March. These funds are crucial to the operation of our public works department and the maintenance of our town's infrastructure!

Why isn't the 2008 budget listed on the town's web site?
I have requested that the finalized budget be posted on the Grand Chute Web site. The town is in the process of figuring out the technicalities to make it happen. I am assisting as well.

How will you prevent this from happening next year?
I believe a presentation will be standard before next year's meeting. I am also going to propose that clarification cards be placed near the sign in sheet at all town meetings. If residents have a question concerning any agenda item and would like further explanation, they can fill out a card and turn into the town clerk before the meeting begins.

Overall, this has been a good learning experience for both board members and residents alike. Your support is needed at Tuesday's town special meeting. Please attend!

December 12, 2007

Caribou hunting recap

Notice the snow is a little deeper than it is around here.

The antlers may not be trophy-sized, but after driving 32 hours, it was good enough for me. The meat tastes the same anyway, right? Besides, I was informed before I left that mounted caribou heads do not go well with our home decor.

Caribou travel in heards, sometimes upwards of 5000. We were lucky enough to catch the tail end of one, right after we arrived. I heard there was a snowstorm coming in, so my cousin and I didn't want to stick around. We stayed overnight and drove back the next morning. Others in our party stayed and got some nice-sized antlers. They also got a 40 hour truck ride home. If you're ever in the mood to go on a caribou hunting trip, and don't mind spartan conditions (it is the arctic circle, after all) I highly recommend Donat Asselin Caribou Hunting Outfitters.

December 11, 2007

April Aire Task Force to form


Above is a copy of a communication that was sent out to community leaders from the town regarding forming a task force to tackle some of the issues facing April Aire mobile home park. I have been named the town representative contact to this task force.

While improvements have been made to the park since being placed into receivership, there is still a ways to go in order to ensure residents have affordable, yet safe housing.

Identified goals of the task force are:

  1. Keep April Aire residents in their homes that are safe, sanitary and weather resistant.
  2. Coordinate efforts of all government and non-profit agencies to ensure compliance with applicable housing regulations.
  3. Create vehicle to direct possible donations.
  4. Create a safe atmosphere for all April Aire residents.
  5. Identify long term strategy to address future needs of April Aire Mobile Home Park.

Community groups/indivduals that have been asked to join this task force include:

Lutheran Social Service, Catholic Charities, Housing Partnership, Emergency Shelter Prospera Credit Union, Outagamie Housing Authority, Wisconsin Housing Alliance, Habitat for Humanity, Rebuid Together Fox Valley, Commmunity Foundation, Post-Crescent, Project Home Salvation Army, Rev. Will Bloedow, Denise Bruecker, Unitarian Universalist

I'm looking forward to working with other community leaders to achieve these goals for April Aire residents. Our first meeting is Friday, December 14th.

December 10, 2007

It's not a walkway, it's a trail

Here's an interesting bit of information that surprised me. I've fielded a couple of resident complaints regarding the lack of snow removal on the Hwy A overpass between Capital Drive and Grand Chute Boulevard. Many pedestrians use this walkway, and commented that the area was slippery and hard to walk through because of the snow. I asked Administrator Rohloff what the procedure was for snow removal, and what I could tell residents. Admin. Rohloff responded:

" ... this area is classified as a trail, not a sidewalk. Because trails are legally different from sidewalks, trails are not required to be plowed and offer the Town a recreational immunity if we leave the trail in its natural state for activities such as snow shoeing and cross country skiing. Outagamie County takes a similar stand with respect to its trails, such as the CE Trail from Appleton out to Kaukauna. According to the County, we potentially lose our recreational immunity once we begin to clear the trail. The reality is that the trail is almost used exclusively for foot traffic."

I looked at the Grand Chute Trails map, and sure enough, this section is classified as a trail, and hooks up with the Grand Chute Boulevard Trail. Admin. Rohloff indicated the Town Board could direct staff to remove snow from the trail, but has not in the past. If you would like to see snow cleared from this overpass, I recommend you contact Town Board members in order to show there is enough interest to change current snow removal practices.

On another note, I do have a backlog of blog postings ideas that I hope to tackle this week. Updates should be frequent the next few days.

December 5, 2007

November 20th meeting minutes

Minutes from the November 20th Town Board meeting are available for download.

December 3, 2007

December 2, 2007

November 6th meeting minutes available

Minutes from the November 6th Town Board meeting are available for viewing and download.