Granton Village Board Holds Caucus for Board Members

Monday, January 18th, 2021 -- 10:02 AM

The Granton Village Board held their caucus on January 13th.

According to the unofficial minutes from the meeting, it was announced to the public that there are 2 positions available on the Village Board, the first of which is Village Trustee, the second is Village President.  Both are 2 year terms running from April 2021 thru April 2023.

The Village Clerk asked for nominations for the Trustee Position.  Meagan Naedler and incumbent Jason Strey were nominated.  However, Strey declined the nomination and no other nominations for trustee were made.

Since there is only one candidate for Trustee, name placement determination on the ballot was not needed.  The Village Clerk then asked for nominations for the President position.  Tom Gorst and Chip Chadwick were nominated.

No other nominations for president were made and name placement on the ballot was decided by the toss of a coin.  Incumbent Gorst called tails, heads was tossed, so name placement is Chadwick and then Gorst.

During the regular Village Board Meeting, the board heard an update on the dump truck.  Monroe is working on the dump truck and it should be ready soon.  The board heard an update on the pond, which is still leaking.  More corn and another board was added.

Listerman Foundation graciously donated $3000 for pond repairs and the repairs will begin this summer.  The board also heard the Water Report.  They attended safety training, repaired the root cutting machine, installed a new battery in the generator, worked on PSC reports, repaired the trailer tire, worked on the snow broom, plowed snow, filled Lynn Dairy trucks with water and read water meters.

The board also heard the Sewer Report.  They completed the fire hydrant training and attended safety training in Plover, they changed oil in the blower, they took Christmas decorations down, dug a grave, they fixed the office furnace, they arranged to have some clean up in town, they took the old air conditioner to the recycling center and helped with taxes.

The board also heard the overview of the Cedar Corp Project.  They’re replacing the Village portion of County Rd K, running new water and sewer lines, adding new sidewalks, and lighting is estimated to cost $2,381,890.

After grants and principal forgiveness is applied, the estimated Village portion would be $732,131.  The Village’s borrowing capacity is $594,915.  Revenue Bonds would allow the Village to raise the money without affecting the equalized value.

The PERF rating will not be out until February and this will give them a better idea of where they rank for funding.  Everything is on hold until then.  The board also heard the Clerk’s Update.

She submitted the Tobacco License, completed 4th quarter 941 reconciliation, and Federal, State and WRS payments were made.  Also, W-2s and 1099 are complete.  This year they are required to file electronically and year-end will be reconciled by the end of the week.

They continue to process audit information, the 2% Fire Dues report has been submitted, and the Injury and Illness reports have been submitted.  There will be a primary election on Feb 16th for Superintendent for Public Instruction.  There are 7 candidates with no incumbents.

The candidates include Sheila Briggs the Asst State Superintendent, teacher, principal; Joe Fenrick a high school science teacher and 3 terms as Fondulac Cty Sup; Troy Gunderson a professor for School of finance and Lacrosse high school principal for 16yrs; Shandowlyon Hendricks with 25years of education experience; Deborah Kerr a middle school principal and 21yrs as superintendent of the Brown Deer School; Steve Krull an airforce vet, teacher, principal; and Jill Underly a School admin of Pecatonica School and education consultant.

Finally, the board heard the Treasurer’s Report.  The Deposit and Expense report was presented.  The Checking balance is $232,236.35, the Money Market balance is $578,987.91, (balance includes tax payment) the Cemetery CD is $16,927.29, the CDBG balance is $32,191.53, and the Library balance is $24,302.96.

Utility and Tax collection is in full force.  The January settlement was completed.  Collections totaled $109,698.62.  Settlement checks were issued as follows:  County-$33,300.70; Granton School-$41,492.12; and Mid State Tech-$4,038.69.

The Village portion is $27,286.70 and special assessments collected were $3,580.41.

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