All Things Grand Chute, the title for my blog, is going through a name change. You'll notice the new title is Grand Chute Town Talk. The Web site URL is still the same, but the new name matches my Town Talk newsletter* that is sent out to residents on an event-based schedule.
*Note, the Town Talk newsletter is a communication that is paid for by Travis Thyssen. No town funds are used for production or delivery of the newsletter.
November 9, 2007
October 16th meeting minutes available
Minutes from the October 16, 2007 Town Board meeting are available for download.
November 7, 2007
Is annexation of Plamann Park really needed?
There has been an article in the Post-Crescent these last couple weeks about Grand Chute town officials asking Outagamie County to look into annexing Plamann Park to Appleton. What needs to be clarified is that "town officials" means Chairman Marsden and Administrator Rohloff, and not the town board. The general public probably doesn't realize that this issue has never been brought to the town board for review, discussion or vote. In fact, until the article was printed in the Post-Crescent, the annexation of Plamann Park had not been brought to my attention in any form of communication.
As the Post-Crescent reads, "But Plamann Park, which Outagamie County owns, is in Grand Chute, so when one of the hundreds of children who play Pop Warner football there gets hurt, it’s Grand Chute’s responsibility to respond."
The main concern of Chariman Marsden and Mr. Rohloff is the ability (or lack of) Grand Chute emergency response teams to adequately serve children playing in the Pop Warner fall football leagues at Plamann Park, and respond as quickly as emergency services could being dispatched from Appleton.
That being said, the town's request for annexation seems extreme, considering the new fire station being constructed next to the town hall will place Plamann Park within an eight minute response time. The station is slated for completion before the fall of 2009.
Taking safety issues into context, the Pop Warner season runs eight Saturdays beginning September till the end of October each year. High schools have EMTs at every football game. Why couldn't Grand Chute have two paid-on-call EMTs situated in a satellite suburban truck at Plamann Park during the games. Approximate costs would be $250 each Saturday. Discussions with the Pop Warner Football league would determine who would be responsible for the addtional costs.
Another solution includes a mutual aid agreement with the city of Appleton.
These alternative suggestions could have been examined if the issue had been brought to the attention of the town board. I will be expressing my opinions regarding this matter to the County Board before it's November meeting.
As the Post-Crescent reads, "But Plamann Park, which Outagamie County owns, is in Grand Chute, so when one of the hundreds of children who play Pop Warner football there gets hurt, it’s Grand Chute’s responsibility to respond."
The main concern of Chariman Marsden and Mr. Rohloff is the ability (or lack of) Grand Chute emergency response teams to adequately serve children playing in the Pop Warner fall football leagues at Plamann Park, and respond as quickly as emergency services could being dispatched from Appleton.
That being said, the town's request for annexation seems extreme, considering the new fire station being constructed next to the town hall will place Plamann Park within an eight minute response time. The station is slated for completion before the fall of 2009.
Taking safety issues into context, the Pop Warner season runs eight Saturdays beginning September till the end of October each year. High schools have EMTs at every football game. Why couldn't Grand Chute have two paid-on-call EMTs situated in a satellite suburban truck at Plamann Park during the games. Approximate costs would be $250 each Saturday. Discussions with the Pop Warner Football league would determine who would be responsible for the addtional costs.
Another solution includes a mutual aid agreement with the city of Appleton.
These alternative suggestions could have been examined if the issue had been brought to the attention of the town board. I will be expressing my opinions regarding this matter to the County Board before it's November meeting.
November 5, 2007
Special budget workshop to be held
The Town Board will be holding a special budget workshop this Thursday, at 3pm, to discuss what will be included for a possible public safety officer referendum, and to speak with Professor Stephen Hintz about his 2006 employee compensation study.
I made a motion (passed 4-1) at our last budget work session to rescind all salary line item increases in this year's budget until a workshop could be held for supervisors to ask questions regarding the study. I felt this was especially important, because, as your newly elected supervisor, I was not informed or given a copy of the study until I inquired about employee salary increases.
More information will be posted after the workshop.
I made a motion (passed 4-1) at our last budget work session to rescind all salary line item increases in this year's budget until a workshop could be held for supervisors to ask questions regarding the study. I felt this was especially important, because, as your newly elected supervisor, I was not informed or given a copy of the study until I inquired about employee salary increases.
More information will be posted after the workshop.
November 2, 2007
November 6 meeting agenda
The agenda for the November 6 Town Board meeting is available for download.
November 1, 2007
Paid-on-call Firefighter training session
The Grand Chute Fire Department is hosting an informational session for those interested in becoming a paid-on-call firefighter on November 6, at 7pm. This session will take place at Station #1 at 2920 W. Highview Drive. Those attending will learn more about the department, the hiring process, the training required and the expectations of a paid-on-call firefighter. If you have questions before the meeting, please call the Grand Chute Fire Department at (920) 832-6050.
Paid-On-Call requirements include:
Training and equipment is provided.
Paid-On-Call requirements include:
- 18 years of age or older
- Valid Wisconsin Drivers License
- No convictions for criminal activity
- Resident of the Town of Grand Chute (or live within two mile radius of the fire station)
- Participate in bi-monthly training drills
- Respond to minimum percentage of assigned calls at all hours.
Training and equipment is provided.
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