Granton Village Board Hears Update on County Road K Project
Friday, October 15th, 2021 -- 11:00 AM
The Granton Village Board heard an update on the 2023 Road Project.
According to the unofficial minutes from the meeting, Cedar Corp updated the project cost to $2.9 million dollars which includes the County K re-route. A Board member mentioned concerns about using plastic pvc piping instead of the ductile iron they currently use and how water leaks are pinpointed.
It was advised that they are not aware of any issues and that the Village should watch where the water bubbles up. There were concerns about this identification method as it is not reliable and it was advised that with the ductile iron they are able to place a coralator on each end of the pipe and that the sound waves locate the leak allowing pin point identification of the leak.
The engineer was not aware of this locator but agreed to look into to cost difference. The LRIP and ITA Grants are due November 1st. It was asked if Cedar Corp’s grant writing team had time to get the grants written and submitted.
It was confirmed that these 2 grants were not time consuming and they would be able to get them in by the deadline. The cost for the grant submission is $2,500. The Board approved the LRIP and ITA Grant for Safe Drinking and Clean Water for a cost of $2,500.
The Board also discussed replacing a Village truck. They have researched costs of replacing the 2002 Ford F150 as the frame has split. Gunderson did not return their calls for a quote. V & H has a 2022 Ford F150 4x4 Supercab for $30,260 and a 2022 Ranger 4x4 Supercab for $28,527.
Gross Motors quoted a Silverado 4x4 for $31,000. The delivery is expected in February 2022. The Board approved to order the F150 4x4 Supercab from V & H for 30,269.50. The old truck will be taken to Shaws for recycling.
The Board also discussed razing the property at 207 Oak Street. The State building inspector submitted his report to Village condemning the property at 207 Oak Street.
The report indicated fire hazards as there is not central heating and is heated by space heaters, plumbing with no traps, multiple electrical issues, roof and structure are compromised and the overall structure condition is unreasonable to repair and is eligible to be raised. The Clerk has a call into the building inspector and the League of Municipal Lawyer.
The Board also discussed a wood burning stove. Ordinance 135 regulates the installation of all outdoor wood burners must be installed a minimum of 100 feet from any inhabited building and must have the permission of adjoining property owners.
Residents at 512 Hill Road are looking at installing a highly efficient, EPA Step 2 Certified, air injected system that produces very little smell or smoke. They would like the Village to approve an installation of 50 feet from their property.
The install would be 200 yards from their nearest neighbor. The board discussed that the residents have satisfied the smoke nuisance by using a low emission unit and that if their insurance company does not have a problem with a 50 foot install then the Village would not override that decision. A motion to approve a placement exception for the wood burning stove requirements was made and approved.
The Board also discussed their budget. Advance Disposal is scheduled for a 4% increase. The $38.50 quarterly garbage cost will need to increase $1.60 per resident per quarter to cover the cost.
There will not be enough money in the budget to replace the Ford F150, so we will need to use the equipment fund. The ambulance budget went down $100, but the Fire Department went up $400. Shared Revenue and Transportation Aid will go down.
The Board heard the Village President’s Report. He attended both the Economic Development meeting on September 21st and the ambulance meeting.
The Board also heard the Water Report. They completed monthly reports, installed new meters, completed general maintenance in the well house, studied for the next water test, mowed lawns, completed fall clean up, hired Vine to clean up pine needles, worked with Scotts to chip seal, completed Fall Fest clean up, and burned compost in the compost pile. Lane Tank will be out next week to inspect.
The Board heard the Waste Water Report. They started sampling to prepare for the next discharge, cleaned out Omars sewer line, treated pond with RE2, and worked with Handt to put in a new outlet for the aerator.
They also attended the Northwoods Collection Seminar, worked with Handt to install a new 220 outlet by the dock to run the aerator, cleaned out the ditches in the park, installed a culvert for Eibergen’s, and Whirlwind Sweeping took care of the chip sealing excess.
The Board also heard the Treasurer’s Report. The Deposit and Expense report was presented. The Checking balance is $133,294.07, the Money Market balance is $542,112.17, the Cemetery CD is $16,927.29, the CDBG balance is $32,218.35, and the Library balance is $32,882.38.
Finally, the Clerk reported that the Quarterly 941 and Unemployment were completed timely.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.