The Gilman Village Board met Wednesday, October 8 at 6 p.m. at the village hall in Gilman.

Among items covered was the closing of the public nuisance case against the Slaughter property, its owner having cleaned the grounds up. Village President Jane DeStaercke reported that she had spoken with the manager from Mobile Home Courts and that they are proceeding with clean up as well.

Also covered at the October 8 meeting were the President and Clerk Reports.

As for the President’s Report, DeStaercke wrote she had represented the village at the revolving loan fund meeting and had discussed the possibility of granting the FIX-IT program a sum to be able to be used toward future grants and loans made to businesses in Gilman. A follow-up meeting was scheduled October 28 for suggestions on policy changes.

Also in the President’s Report, DeStaercke wrote that the Fire District meeting had been September 25. The Village’s share to the District had not changed significantly from pervious, DeStaercke sharing that last year the department had been granted a couple of grants, including one for upwards of $62,000 from the Fulcrum Foundation. The most significant change in the fire budget came from the addition of a small salary increase for the fire chief and treasurer of the department, reflecting an increased workload the past several years. A small stipend was also included for volunteers responding to incidents.

DeStaercke also said that she had virtually attended an annual insurance consortium that determines the plan the village will be offered for the coming year.

“It was almost unanimously voted to change to a three-tiered plan that kept the premiums under the projected 19 percent increase in the plan we presently have,” she wrote. “There is the possibility of a slight lowering of the rate of the new plan selected. Finance will need to determine what we will offer our employees after the final numbers are available.”

DeStaercke closed out the President’s Report with a nod to the birthday party of Village Treasurer Frances Prasnicki.

“Looking forward to seeing you all at Fran’s Party on the 19th!!” DeStaercke wrote.

As for the Clerk’s Report, Village Clerk Candice Grunseth shared that she and Public Works head Dave Kroeplin had attended more sewer meetings with the EPA, Dan Copper of the Wisconsin Rural Water Association, Ezra Johnson from the DNR, and representatives from the new SEH engineer team. The kick- off meeting was September 11 with an onsite visit September 22 from WRWA and SEH. Grunseth met with Cooper Octtober 2 to start the Intent to Apply, with the village needing project costs from SEH to complete the application. No action was taken on Intent To Apply by the board October 8.

Also reported by Grunseth, the Improvements Committee is looking at what portions of the sidewalks they want to have completed in 2026. The sidewalks identified would be included in the 2026 budget along with new lawnmowers and a new plow for the truck if not able to be purchased in the 2025 budget.

Grunseth further shared that she was presenting with Gilman School District Administrator Walter Leipart for the upcoming Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) summit, to talk about the DESIGN WI event. Presenting with Grunseth and Leipart were the Student Council Advisor and two students. Themes of the conference at Green Bay October 15 included attracting talent and businesses, strengthening local economies, improving quality of life, and building long-term economic resilience.

A possible next step for the village is the THRIVE program, with Grunseth sharing that she had last attended the Rural Partners seminar in Weyerhauser and met there with Paul O’Connor of WEDC on the THRIVE program there, another meeting with O’Connor and Leipart planned at the WEDC summit.

Also contained in the Clerk’s Report, Grunseth wrote that the Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Committee had met to discuss the funds that the village has. A loan had not been made in quite a few years and with the FIX-IT Grant already out of funds the committee discussed doing something for brand new businesses in Gilman.

“We discussed a grant option, waiving the application fee, and low interest loan,” Grunseth wrote. “There was discussion to brainstorm the idea and come back at the end of October to set up a new policy on these funds.”

Grunseth shared additionally that she and Valerie Kulesa were working on clerk and deputy clerk duties and that the village was still looking to get quotes for an updated website, with ADA rules and compliance mandating this by April 2027. The village’s current provider (Scott Website) was not able to quote the village on an updated website but did refer it to Cricket Designs.

Closing out the Clerk’s Report Grunseth reported that a Hazard Mitigation meeting had been held September 10 with Taylor County and that she and Police Chief Tom Tallier had attended virtually, while the annual budget hearing was set for November 12 at 5:45 p.m., the 2026 budget considered at the regular meeting to follow.

Finalized mill rates will be calculated for approval at the December 10, 2025 village board meeting.