The Owen Common Council held their regular meeting on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. During Public Comment, alderperson Pam Jaffke said that the apple trees by the Community Gardens had lots of apples on them that should be picked. She encouraged people to pick them so they don’t rot.

The old brown and yellow Welcome to Owen sign was discussed. It will be donated to the Owen-Withee Area Historical Society.

Holly Hatlestad had provided information to the council about the school’s Red Ribbon Week and soliciting donations for a speaker, which will cost $3,900. Clerk Tracy Rau said if the council wanted to make a donation, they could take the money from the city hall office account. Alderperson Bob Wilczek felt it was a good cause and that council members should personally donate rather than spend taxpayer money. He and alderperson Ray Kilty each offered to donate $100. There was a motion approved encouraging all council members to donate personally.

The council went through the formality of approving an easement with Xcel. Mayor Scott Jalling had already signed it, but it couldn’t be approved at the last meeting as it wasn’t on the agenda.

Wilczek reported on the Finance Committee meeting that had happened the night prior to the council meeting. He said they went through the water and sewer budgets and made a few changes and they were pretty much done. They started on the municipal budget which needs a number of changes, so another meeting will be held.

Jaffke reported on the Police Committee meeting. She said they talked about the savings account and the budget. They discussed using the savings account for squad cars or other equipment needed in the future. It will be renamed equipment replacement fund. She said that committee member Susan Kalepp had suggested putting some of the money into a CD to earn more interest. They approved a raise of $1.25 per hour for Chief of Police Patrick Fehlman. The budget as approved by the committee has a 2.875% increase over this year. Jaffke said about 2/3 of the increase will be offset by an increase in Act 12 money. Kilty asked where they would put a new car, he doesn’t want to store it outside. He also asked how soon police vests would need to be replaced. He wanted to know where they were going to get money to do the police garage. There was a question about whether there would be money left over this year. Chief Fehlman said he is hoping for a little bit, but he has been working on moving the budget closer to actual expenses. Kilty said he is looking for ways to lower the budget so the city can get some things done. Fehlman said they are working on trying to make the garage viable. Wilczek said the money wasn’t really a surplus but was about lack of service as there was a time when they only had one cop, but had budgeted for two. DPW Chad Smith said that public works can fix the garage and add some storage for city hall. Then Withee can be charged rent for the use of the garage. Jaffke said they need a firm estimate on cost. Smith felt it would be a good winter project for public works. Alderperson Ken Martine suggested taking a portion of the savings and giving it back to the municipalities so that Owen might have funds for work on the garage. Approving the police budget will be on the next agenda.

In regard to the nuisance property on 2nd Street, the owner has been served with papers saying the city is seeking a court ordered abatement. She has 20 days to respond from time of service. The city then needs to wait for it to be put on the court calendar.

The council approved closing a portion of Central Avenue for the Trunk or Treat event on Halloween that is sponsored by the Owen Public Library.

DPW Smith asked for permission to sell two car trailers and the wood chipper and use the money to purchase a larger trailer that could be used to haul some of their bigger equipment. The council approved selling the equipment through an auction house in Wausau along with the purchase.

Under the Public Works Report, DPW Smith reported that they had flushed water mains, rebuilt five hydrants, and finished the Wellhead Protection Plan under water. For sewer, they jetted some sewer mains. There were a couple of spots with issues, either rock or baby wipes. He said the voltage regulator at Lift Station #3 failed. He had a spare, but they don’t make them anymore. He is checking to see if this might have been the result of the lightning strike that had affected the lift station earlier. For Streets, Smith said the 2nd Street Project is done. He is just waiting on the invoice from American Asphalt to complete the paperwork for reimbursement. He did the 2025 Wisler Road Ratings, the DT 1400 Maintenance form, and the DT 1402 Construction Form. Green Grove Supply is breaking ground in the Business Park. They hope to finish site work yet this fall. Under Parks, Smith said they would be winterizing and closing down the parks within the next two weeks, depending on frost.

Under the Treasurer’s Report, Wilczek asked about the CDBG Housing Account. Clerk Rau said she had heard there were going to be changes and no loans can be made at present. She will check into it more. Jaffke asked a question about the Centennial account and what still needed to be paid from it.