The Gilman Village Board met Wednesday, April 8 at 6:00 p.m. in the village hall. On the night’s agenda were several items, including swearing in of elected officials, an assessor proposal from Heather Dums of Northwoods Assessment LLC, Country Wireless agreement, Arbor Day Proclamation, recycling ordinance and DNR recycling plan, playground update from the Community Betterment Association and Lions Club, public nuisance complaint, and public hearing on a facility plan for the wastewater treatment plant.
As for the assessor proposal, Heather Dums of Northwoods Assessment LLC wrote the board of her interest in being the village assessor as it was shared with her by current assessor Bob Prokop that he planned to retire.
“Although I am new to assessing, I will be working alongside an assessor with over 30 years of experience who is also looking to retire,” Dums wrote in a letter to the board. “Combined with my 12 years at the county working with assessors, assessment roles and property values, I feel well prepared to take on this role for your village.” Dums also noted five years as town clerk in her own municipality as giving her a strong understanding of Open Book and Board of Review processes, as well as clear community with town officials and property owners. No action was taken on the village assessor position.
As for other items from April 8, the recycling ordinance was tabled as not complete, while the playground update involved seeing if anything needed updating at the park playground prior to June Dairy Days, with no action taken at the April meeting.
The public nuisance complaint in regards to the McSloy property was given to police chief Tom Tallier, while the public hearing saw approval of the Wastewater Treatment Plant facility plan, needed on account of DNR changes to the WPDES permits for the sewer.
Also in news from Gilman, Village President Jane DeStaercke wrote in the President's Report that the village had received a letter addressed to her stating that the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) housing program was officially closed for the village of Gilman.
"The Village still has a number of residents with loans through this program," DeStaercke wrote. "From now on these loans will be administered and new ones will be available through NWRP (Northwest Regional Planning). NWRP and the state of Wisconsin feel that this is a more efficient way of handling this program."
Also in the President's Report, DeStaercke reported that she, Cheryl Rosemeyer, and Russell Baker had attended a virtual Board of Review training. DeStaercke further wrote that she and Baker were working on revising the village's present recycling ordinance. Village Clerk Candice Grunseth had written a letter to Representative Rob Summerfield letting him know that the WPDES permit unfairly impacted the village and that it would like to see the testing completed by the village public works director. DeStaercke had written a similar letter to Congressman Tom Tiffany on the matter seeking his assistance. Tiffany is currently running for Wisconsin governor.
Writing in the Clerk's Report, meanwhile, Village Clerk Candice Grunseth shared several items, including an upcoming electronic and appliance cleanup for Taylor County May 2 and village cleanup May 4.
"In the past they have needed a few volunteers for this as well," Grunseth wrote of the county cleanup. "Please let me know if you can help." The village cleanup, meanwhile, was looking at two roll-off bins.
Also among items included in the Clerk's Report are approval of the village for the Thrive program through WEDC's Rural Prosperity, several meetings and seminars (including a training for AI in mid-March), as well as a meeting March 31 with Medford and the Taylor County Chamber of Commerce, and representatives for the FIX IT LOAN (SDBG award) for the next round of funds.
"The Village did give their $10,000 donation from RLF to this program for Gilman businesses to receive a one percent loan through this program," Grunseth wrote.
Grunseth closed her report by thanking well-wishers regarding an Administrative Professional of the Year award from Wisconsin Rural Water.
"Thank you everyone who messaged me on my Administrative Professional of the Year award from Wisconsin Rural Water," she wrote. "A big thank you goes to (Public Works Supervisor Dave Kroeplin) and also to Todd and Dan from WRWA for nominating me. 20 years here at the Village has really flown by!"