Cadott Village Board - Someone has to speak for the part-time officers

Cadott Police Officer Tony Helstern was presented with a certificate of appreciation Sept. 16, by the Cadott Village Board, for going above and beyond his regular duties, during the recent Farm Technology Days and primary election. “We wanted to recognize you for that,” said village president Randy Kuehni. “Thank you, for all your help.” Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

Until the recent Cadott Village Board meeting Sept. 16, Cadott’s part-time police officers sometimes were overlooked, when it came to keeping their wages up-to-date, but former police chief and current village trustee Louie Eslinger is making sure they don’t get forgotten again.

“We are at the bottom of the list, as far as the wage goes,” he said. “Nobody thinks about the part-timers and they fall to the side.”

Lately, it’s been hard to retain and recruit new officers in Cadott, because of the low wage, so the current chief requested the hourly rate be increased. It was then decided by the Police Commission, to recommend to the village board, an increase in hourly wage by $2.

Eslinger says the budget will be alright, as the department’s hours have not been used up, because of vacant shifts.

“The money is there for the remaining hours,” said Eslinger.

Village trustee Eric Weiland asked what other communities are paying, which Eslinger replied the high end of the scale is $28, but most are at $24-26.

“So, we’re still going to be the lowest,” said Weiland. Eslinger agreed that is true, but by raising the wage, they are moving in the right direction and can include the part-timers in any increases from now on. Based on the recommendation, the board approved the increase.

“We’re getting there,” said Eslinger. They also approved a site plan for CRMR Properties, at 549 Lavorata Road, for a 102x40-foot addition to the current 40x60 building, on the west side.

“So, it’s a pretty substantial addition,” said Josh Miller, Cedar Corp.

The plan does meet the parking requirements and coded loading area.

“Any additions or improvements is welcome in the village,” said village president Randy Kuehni.

Also approved, was a revised site plan for Jon Bowe, at 213 State Hwy. 27, contingent on Board of Appeals approval. Previously, the plan was already given the goahead.

“This is an interesting request,” said Miller.

The former plan specified a 25-foot setback, which met zoning district requirements, but Bowe decided he wants to have a 21.2-foot setback, which encroaches into the setback.

“The village board does not have the authority to waive a setback like that, because it’s not described that way in the zoning,” said Miller.

Bowe must present his case to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a variance, but approached the board first, as the other meeting takes longer to schedule.

The revised plan was approved, with the contingency, with six in favor (Kuehni, and trustees Ronnie Duncan, Eslinger, Terry Licht, Todd Seeley and Nicole Whipp-Sime) and one abstention (Weiland, who is on the Board of Appeals).

The board also approved the purchase of a new public works truck. After speaking with the village’s wastewater operator, who said he’d like to have a bigger cab to haul things out of the weather, for testing and such, public works director Jeremy Kenealy asked the board to look at two proposals. One was for a Chevy and the other was for a Ford.

“They’re pretty close in price,” said Kenealy. It was agreed to purchase the 4x4 XL Super Crew, for $47,851.53, from Toycen’s, per the public works department request.

“You guys have to use it every day,” said Duncan. While not an action item, Neil Mathwig, market president at Pillar Bank, was present to introduce the financial institution to the board and answer any questions. Pillar Bank was recently rebranded from the First Bank of Baldwin, with a mission to concentrate on service to small communities.

Although the nearest branch is Chippewa Falls, they do offer online banking, for convenience and hope to have an impact on Cadott.

“We thought we would come and let you know who we are, what we stand for and what we offer in community banking,” said Mathwig.

Also discussed, was that 30-some residences were identifi ed in the village, that had junk around their properties, such as weeds and tall grass, and unregistered vehicles. The property owners were sent notices, in hopes to clean up the spaces.

“That also means working with the people, because not everyone can afford the improvements we want to see them do,” said Eslinger. “But, I think if it’s a work in progress, we’re willing to work with them.”