June 3rd Town Board agendas

The agenda for the June 3rd Town Board meeting is available for download, along with the Plan Commission and Sanitary District agendas.

Roundabouts are coming

Roundabouts will be making their appearance in Grand Chute, with the first one scheduled to begin construction at Hwy JJ and Hwy A on July 7th. Contrary to popular belief, the town does not have any say in roundabouts. These are county projects. I attended the informational session at the town hall last week both as a supervisor, and a resident, as this project is a stones throw away from my residence. The county highway department indicated they have identified 10 intersections in the county that will be evaluated to receive roundabouts. Hwy A and JJ roundabout is on the fast track as it has met with the least resistance and the engineering has gone smoothly.

Not everyone who lives near the roundabout is enamored with its future construction. Residents questioned the need, as the intersection is not a typical four way intersection, but is a three way. County officials cited the need for reduced speed at this intersection, and said this intersection appeared on the county's radar for accident reduction. Elimination of stoplights will also reduce electrical costs, and save fuel from idling vehicles, according to county officials.

I asked about the intersection of Hwy A and 47. This seemed like a more logical placement for a roundabout, with a much larger amount of traffic generated at this intersection, no stoplights, and road curve decreasing visibility. County officials indicated they are looking at an over/underpass at this intersection. Hwy 47 is a state highway, so I'm speculating the county may have to follow direction from the state.

Costs of construction for this roundabout is estimated at about $475,000.

Construction is scheduled for completion this September.

Looking for cheap entertainment this weekend?

If high gas prices are making you stick around town, check out the 2008 NCAA Division III baseball championships at the Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute. Games run through Tuesday. This is college baseball at its best, and a heck-uv-a-lot cheaper then catching a game at Miller Park. Hopefully, the round of thunderstorms that seem to hit at least one day at this event every year will hold off.

May 6th meeting minutes

Minutes from the May 6, 2008 Town Board meeting are available for download. Sorry for the sparse postings these past couple of weeks. I've been wrapping up a big project in Wautoma. Will be back to normal next week.

SAFER grant explained

Tomorrow night's town board meeting will have Admin Rohloff and Fire Chief Bantes outlining a proposal on how to use funds that were awarded by Homeland Security for additional firefighter personnel, otherwise known as the SAFER grant. The grant funds have to be used in a very specific way.

A press release has been issued by the town detailing the proposal.

The board will decide at tomorrow night's meeting whether or not to accept this award. More on this topic after tomorrow's meeting.

May 20th Town Board agenda

The agenda for the May 20th Town Board meeting available for download, along with Plan Commission and Sanitary District agendas.

Grand Chute admin named finalist

Grand Chute Town Administrator Mark Rohloff has been named a finalist for the Oshkosh city Manger position.

Plug pulled on Wausau Everest police merger

The city of Wausau and Everest Metro police department have decided to halt police merger talks. The main reason cited was lack of public support by one of the communities to merge.

This is not surprising. The agencies I spoke with stressed that gaining public support is critical to the success of police mergers.

April 15th meeting minutes available

Minutes from the April 15th Town Board meeting are available for download.

Project Day 2008

This year I had the opportunity to work with Rebuilding Together Fox Valley as a house captain for their Annual Project Day. Rebuilding Together Fox Valley is part of a national organization that revitalizes houses for the elderly and disabled in our community, allowing them to stay in their homes. Thirteen homes in the Fox Valley were selected for this year's Project Day.

My crew of volunteers, from Capital Credit Union, was in charge of helping Margaret, a 93-year young lady. Margaret has lived in her home since she first was married. The home was in need of outside painting, sprucing up of landscaping, and some interior light remodel of a shower area. I'm sure all volunteers are up for any task, but I still adhere to the opinion that I had the best house crew of the bunch. Somehow, the rain held off, and the crew of 24 from Capital Credit Union had Margaret's entire house scrapped, painted, and the other work mentioned, completed by 2:30pm. Our start time was 8am!

Do you know an elderly or disabled person that could use a little help with home repairs? Rebuilding Together Fox Valley's goal is to complete projects year-round and is looking to help rehab 125 homes this year. Project applications forms can be found at rtfv.org. Information on volunteering as a group, or skilled worker is also listed.

May 6 Town Board agendas

The agendas for next week's Town Board, Plan Commission and Sanitary District meetings May 6th are available for download. Sup. Nooyen is scheduled to give a report of the implementation of communication committee recommendations during the regular Town Board meeting.