The Withee Village Board held their regular meeting on Monday, June 9. The bills were approved with a couple of additions to what was printed. It was noted on the payroll report that the pay rate for Dave Laabs was not changed and had to be corrected.
Under Community Input, Mary Rosiejka asked about enforcement of the ordinance on cutting grass. Clerk Ellen Niemi said letters are sent, the person is given five days to mow or the village will mow it and bill for it. President Larry Klabon also responded that letters on junk property are sent and the person is given 30 days to respond. If the police see improvement, the person is given an extension. If there is no improvement, they are issued a citation. Rick Nelson spoke about his concerns from the joint meeting on the police agreement between Owen and Withee. He said that tie vote concerns had been expressed but asked if there was a need to break a tie. He said Owen and Withee are viewed as one community and he would rather see them working together. He said they need to look at how the Sewer Commission can work together more. In regard to the police, he said if Owen gets the upper hand, then they are back to the same old situation. He compared it to the Fire District where everyone pays based on their equalized valuation and everyone has an equal vote. The contract is based on separate but equal. Changing the agreement will only create more of a wedge between the communities. He felt that there was a reason the contract was written the way it is. He said there could be more discussion if there are bigger issues. Klabon said it is not necessary to make a change. Attorney Bonnie Wachsmuth cut him off, with the discussion of the agreement to take place in closed session.
Under Committee Reports, Trustee Bill Kroeplin said the Library Board is setting up for Withee Days. Trustee Nancy Amacher gave the board two handouts from Clark County Economic Development, one on employment opportunities in the county and one on housing.
For the Police Report, the board looked at the calls for May.
Under Public Works, DPW Derek Schad said they are getting ready for Withee Days. He said they would like to paint the curbs if the weather would cooperate. The ditches are mowed. Progress Street is done. He got a dehumidifier for the Water Treatment Plant. Klabon asked if there were any issues when Xcel turned the power off overnight. Schad said there were none, he came in at 2:30 a.m. and started the generator.
Beer/Liquor licenses were approved for Refuel Pantry, Cheese & Cheers Bistro, Withee Community Softball League, O-W Black River Sportsmens, Inc, Midway Bar and IGYS. A temporary license was approved for the O-W Lions for Withee Days. In addition, operator licenses were approved for Jacalyn Reinke, Corrie Bottlemy, Jackie Jo Tyznik, and Nancy Curtin.
The board went into closed session with Attorney Wachsmuth and Clerk Niemi. They were in closed session for about 1¼ hours. When they came into open a motion was approved to retain the current Police Agreement with three members from each municipality and no tie breaker.