Board delights in new flood plain maps
By Wally Smetana
Editor Emeritus
Wednesday, November 12, 2008 11:37 AM CST
BOYCEVILLE — Considering their excitement, an observer might have concluded that the village board, collectively, had won the lottery.
But closer perusal revealed their ecstasy could be traced to an entirely different prize they have awaited for some five to eight years — new flood plain zoning maps that were displayed Monday evening at the monthly board session.
The maps, which have been approved by the state Department of Natural Resources and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will become official after a 90-day review period (March 26, 2009), according to Erik Evenson, of Menomonie’s Cedar Corporation, the firm that assisted the village in securing the new maps.
When the new maps are compared with the old maps, Evenson said, “a lot of houses were taken out of the flood plain.” He noted, too, that the maps approved by state and federal agencies “are not too much different from what we (Cedar) proposed initially.”
Questioned, Evenson said the maps can be amended during the review period — but it won’t be easy.
“It will take a survey to remove property from the new maps,” Evenson commented.
The maps are displayed in the village hall and Cindy Swanepoel, clerk/treasurer, said village residents are welcome to examine the maps during regular office hours.
Public hearing
The village’s proposed 2009 budget will be subject of a public hearing scheduled at 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 17, in the Village Hall. The document is available for inspection in the clerk’s office from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
According to the proposed budget, expenditures are expected to total $1,158,620 in 2009 — or some $1,000 less than this year. General property taxes are estimated at $127,859 next year compared to $121,730 this year.
Both the 2008 and 2009 budgets propose the borrowing of $200,000. However, according to Swanepoel, the village hasn’t utilized this revenue source this year.
Salary schedule
By unanimous vote, trustees approved a new wage schedule that grants employees an approximate 3.25 percent salary adjustment. Additionally, full-time employees receive such traditional fringe benefits as health insurance, retirement, paid holidays and sick leave — and eight employees will collect a $400 Christmas bonus.
Incidentally, the per diem for the village president and trustees remains at $35.
Preserved
With support from village president Gilbert Krueger, the old Grace Baptist Church on Tiffany Street won’t be demolished and hauled to a landfill. Rather, portions of the structure will survive because of the efforts of Tim Dotseth, of Menomonie, and a firm in Eau Claire.
According to Krueger, Dotseth wants the steeple while the Eau Claire firm desires the flooring, windows, wainscoting, and other items that make them collectible.
After the desired items are removed from the church, according to present plans, bids will be taken to demolish what remains and level the area.
Other action
In other action, trustees:
• Granted an operator’s license to Larryne Johnson for the period ending June 30, 2009.
• Learned that building permits had been granted to Lyndon Schmidt, 322 East Boundary Road, roof; Petryk Estate, 495 Main St., roof and deck; Casey Warax, 1326 Tiffany St., roof and siding; Elaine Grutt, 1018 Railroad Ave., roof; Clint Peterson, duplexes at 1363 and 1369 Nelson Drive.
• Said they don’t want to change their long-term agreement with Altell of San Diego, Calif., for wireless antenna space on the water tower. The present agreement expires June 30, 2011.
According to trustee Herb Dow, changes proposed by Altell would only benefit the company but would be detrimental to the village.
To illustrate, he said, the village would lose $150 a month in rental income. “It’s a gamble, but I don’t think they (Altell) will pull out if we don’t agree to the proposed changes,” Dow commented.
• Agreed to withhold $1,000 owed Keys Well Drilling of St. Paul, Minn., to complete work that should have been performed by the contractor.
• Accepted the report of Police Chief Daniel Wellumson that showed the department investigated 79 incidents during October. Sixteen of the incidents, including five thefts, were classified criminal. Four of the thefts, Wellumson said, involved political signs.
• Learned from Don Rose, public works supervisor, that 10 hydrants purchased during the 1999-2004 period have been recalled. Replacement parts have been provided the village, he said. Additionally, the village has received as compensation $40 per hydrant from the provider. |
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