Granton Village Board Discusses Garage Sales Weekend and More

Monday, June 13th, 2022 -- 8:13 AM

The Granton Village Board heard an update on their recent garage sale weekend.

According to the unofficial draft minutes from the meeting, there were 10 registered sales in the Village and 7 registered sales in the country. There were a couple of complaints that some people started on Thursday when the sale was advertised for Friday and Saturday. Next year, they will advertise Thursday through Saturday.  Also distributing maps at the sales would be helpful.

Also, there were approximately 20 residents that participated in the 1st Village Spring Clean Up. The village broke down the cost with tires and electronics coming to $794 and recycled metal coming to $78.39, with the total cost coming to $715.62. At the site, they collected $484 in cash, $160 in checks, with the total coming to $644. Therefore, the total cost to the village came to $71.62.

The Board also reviewed and approved some liquor licenses. The liquor license applications were received from Roger’s Grocery and Maple Works Cafe. Dan Nickel, with Boone’s Bar and Grill, advised that he would not be renewing his liquor license and will close the doors at the end of June.

The Granton Fire Department and the Parks and Rec submitted seasonal liquor license applications. They did not receive one for the sweet treat auction yet. The Clerk confirmed that the liquor license request notice was run in the Clark County Press with no comments.  Payments were received and paperwork completed.

The Board also approved some Operator Licenses. Applications were received from Dawn Arndt, and Calli Opelt for Maple Works, and James Chadwick and Faye Friemoth for the Park.  No operator license applications were received from the Fire Dept.

The Board also reviewed the proposal to sell the triangle piece of property on highway 10 for the possible future site of a Dollar General. The proposed location for the store is on the far east, 1.8 acre section of this property.

The proposed location is on the opposite side of the water and sewer hook ups and that lines would have to be run from the curve, along the ditch on Granton Road, and to the building site, in order to hook up to Village water and sewer.

The Board agreed that hook up would be contingent in selling the property and that the expense to run the lines would be the purchasers.  The board discussed in great length the pros and cons of selling this property as a future site of a Dollar General.

Finally, the board reviewed the information received from the DNR regarding the contamination cleanup from 2012 and what legal obligations, if any, were involved in selling this location.

The DNR outlined the possibility of residual contamination and the guidelines in place should a well be constructed.  Soil excavated from this site must also be properly managed if contamination is evident. There were no restrictions on selling the property.

The Board discussed the costs involved in the cleanup of this property and the proposed purchase price.  A motion to proceed with the process of selling 1.8 of the 2.83 acre parcel, for a proposed cost of $120,000 was made and approved. A motion to have the clerk forward the meeting minutes, the DNR information, the proposed cost and the water and sewer hook up requirement to the purchaser was made and approved.

The Board also heard the President’s Report. The Ambulance Board advised they are raising fees to cover the purchase price of their new ambulance. The Board also heard the Library Update. In celebration of the 10 year anniversary of the Granton Community Library, there will be a movie in the park on July 22nd.

They are purchasing 500 book bags and bookmarks to be distributed when new library cards are issued and at events like the Fall Festival.  On August 18th, the school will hold their open house and the Library will invite the public in for cake in honor or the 10 year anniversary celebration.

The Village will provide the cake, plates, and forks; and advertise the 10 year celebration in the paper.  The Village will also send out personal invites to the townships in Granton.

It was also advised at the Library meeting that the hours the librarian posts are to identify the non school day hours so the general public will be aware.  The posting is not a change in the hours or a staffing issue; it is to keep the public posted of the hours when school is not in session.

Also, a concern was raised by the owner of N4476 Cty K as to the proposal of a Dollar General being built next to his property and the possibility of a privacy fence.  After looking at the proposed footprint, the board does not believe the owner will have an issue. The clerk will forward a copy of the proposal to the landowner for review.

Bryan Vine was officially sworn into office, after being elected in April, as the new Trustee replacing Russell Kuehn. The Oath of Office was delayed slightly due to illness.

The Board also heard the Park Committee Update. GGS will host during the Granton Park Picnic at noon with 100% of the proceeds going towards a piece of playground equipment in the park.  They were thinking about a new slide.  4-H will be serving pies and the 1st Responders are doing strawberry shortcake.  Little League practices started Tuesday June 7th.

The Board also heard the Water Report:

• They took monthly samples;
• Filled up 4 Lynn Dairy trucks with water;
• PFAS samples came back negative;
• Passed 2 more Waste Water exams and only 1 remains;
• And they ordered the compression dryer for Well 5.

The Board also heard the Waste Water Recap:

• They completed the monthly DNR Report;
• Fixed the water shut off;
• Fixed a leaking pipe in Well 5;
• And the cafe donated 4 picnic tables.

They also viewed camera footage in the park to identify the vandals who destroyed the new paper towel holder, the soap dispenser, and a picnic table.  Most of the kids involved are Village residents, but one is from Neillsville and one from Chili.  All parents were notified and the kids are not allowed in the park unless accompanied by a parent.

The Board also heard the Clerk’s Update. The Clerk advised Wisconsin Rapids Police and they served papers to Cody Steinhilber to officially let him know he has 30 days to raize the property at 207 Oak.  This time frame is now passed due. The Board approved to raise the property at 207 Oak. The clerk will contact WE Energies and Xcel Electric to start the process of removing the meters at 207 Oak in preparation of razing this property.

The liquor license applications were processed. They created flyers for Spring Clean up and the Garage Sale and ran an ad in the paper for all events including little league. She also created an online registration form for campground reservations and posted it to the Website.

Finally, she met with Village businessmen to discuss the proposal of Dollar General on Highway 10 as the Village wanted them to know prior to public knowledge.

Finally, the Board heard the Treasurer’s Report. The Deposit and Expense report was presented:

• The Checking balance is $84,508.02;
• The Fund Balance is $634,879.10;
• The Cemetery CD is $16,927.29;
• The CDBG balance is $32,190.76;
• And the Library balance is $33,169.42.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.