The Village of Withee held their regular board meeting on Monday, June 8. Trustee Nancy Amacher asked a question about the financial statements before they were approved. She wanted to know about revenue for salt purchased by Hatlestad Construction. This was for 25 bags of salt that were left over from a purchase a few years ago and not needed for Withee’s streets.
Under Community Input Mary Rosiejka asked if the branches could be trimmed back at the corner of Clover and Division to allow for more visibility. DPW Derek Schad said he would take care of it. She also asked about brush piles and garbage next door to her house. She said she thought she saw a rat. The police will check it out.
For Committee Reports, Trustee Amacher brought calendars prepared by Clark County Economic Development for June events, June dairy breakfasts, and community wide garage sales. She also noted that Honor Flight quilts would be on display for Withee Days and the Owen-Withee Food Pantry will be holding their garage sale fundraiser at Bogseth Transport during the Owen Jr. Fair.
Under the Police Report, Chief of Police Patrick Fehlman noted they had 75 municipal code violations between Owen and Withee. Village president Larry Klabon asked about an update on the violations. Fehlman said they are still doing follow-up. He also mentioned the countywide records management system that is being looked at. Klabon said in regard to the lease for the police garage space in Owen, the increase is based on square footage used by the police versus city hall. The rent will increase by $250 beginning on January 1, 2026. Fehlman said the work on the garage is about 70% done. Klabon noted that they were told at the Police Committee meeting that K-9 Jimi will probably be retired in 2028. Officer Haugstad will be doing some fundraising and look at grants for a new dog. Amacher asked about the treasurer’s report and Trustee Sue Kalepp said the city of Owen pays the police bills and gets reimbursed quarterly.
Louise Olszewski and Ron Uhlig were present to discuss needed library shelving. Olszewski also said they are actively looking for a new library director. They are ready for Withee Days. In regard to the shelves, they got a grant for LEGO kits. Kits were purchased but there is no area to display them so people know what is available for checkout. They would like to build shelves on the west wall of the library/conference room, approximately 20” deep, four feet high and eight feet long. The historic items on the wall would have to be moved higher. The puzzle cart would probably be moved into the computer room. Clerk Ellen Niemi was concerned about having enough space for elections as she moves the items currently in that space. DPW Schad asked if they could be put on wheels so they could be moved for elections and maybe not as long to make them easier to move. Olszewski said the money earned in the Tootsie Roll booth during Withee Days will be used to pay for them. Uhlig is going to build them. The board approved the construction of shelves on wheels, 20” deep by four feet high and three feet in length. There will be three shelves built.
For the Public Works Report, DPW Schad said N.L. Stock will be installing the new recirculating pump for the water tower. He has put in a Diggers Hotline request in regard to the culverts that will be replaced on North Street. They have been weed eating, spraying weeds, mowing lawn, and ditching in the Lions Park. Dennis Looker helped with the ditching. The culvert by the shelter in the Lions Park is probably collapsed and may need to be replaced. Schad will talk about it more next month. If it needs to be replaced, he suggested covering it with blue granite rather than blacktop. Curbs will be painted and streets swept before Withee Days. He will check on fixing the curbs, but said they might want to wait a bit.
Liquor and operator licenses were approved.
Investing village funds in LGIP (Local Government Investment Pool) was discussed. According to village ordinances, the Clerk/Treasurer has the authority to invest money not immediately needed to earn interest. If invested in LGIP, the money can be withdrawn when needed. Clerk Niemi wanted to know if the board was okay with her doing that. She said maybe some sewer funds and general funds, if not needed in the next couple of months could be transferred. The transfers will show on the monthly financial statement.
The village got a $615 dividend from the League Insurance this year.
The board went into closed session for about 20 minutes to discuss the site lease agreement with Country Wireless. When they came into open, the board announced that they will have the village attorney work with Country Wireless to finalize the agreement with the terms they discussed in closed.