Lake Holcombe Town Board - If you want the bridge open, keep heavy loads off

Thanks to a $1,000 donation from TRH Concrete Services, there are some new Christmas decorations adorning the light posts in the center of downtown Holcombe. If anyone would like to see the lights continue to be upgraded, they can make a donation to the town. Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

The County Hwy. M bridge in Holcombe, is failing – it’s no secret, but there’s no money to replace it. Until such time as the county can budget for its upgrade or the Town of Lake Holcombe comes into some federal funding, the weight limit keeps lowering.

To ensure heavy loads are not going over the bridge, the county stationed recording equipment by the structure, but it was reported Dec. 12, that same equipment has been stolen. It can only be assumed that someone took it to prevent the county from knowing that heavy trucks and loads are going across the bridge.

Town chairman Brian Guthman asks the public for help in regard to the theft or any future crimes relating to the bridge, including overweight trucks traveling over it.

“If you see something, you better say something, because if they keep going over that bridge, they’ll close it down,” said Guthman.

In the event the bridge is closed to traffic, travelers and locals would need to increase their time on the road, which would have a financial impact to them and businesses along that stretch. It would be at least five or six years, at the earliest, that the bridge would reopen.

“You want another Cobban Bridge?” said Guthman. “That’s exactly what we’ll get.”

Also discussed, were changes to Chapter 11 Boating-Water Regulations, adding items under T and U, under Section 12-Markers and Navigation Aids. Thanks to the Lake Holcombe Improvement Association (LHIA), slowno- wake buoys will be stationed at the County Hwy. M bridge and State Hwy. 27 bridge, near Phat Bob’s.

The changes will be sent to the local recreational wardens, then sent to the state, which takes about 60 days to get approval. The town can then officially adopt the changes to the ordinance.

The LHIA installs, removes and replaces buoys in the water bodies over which the neighboring townships share oversight.

“So, it just saves all three towns a lot of money,” said LHIA member Jackie McDaniel.

Previously discussed, was that the LHIA would potentially replace the decades-old playground set at the Wayside Park by the beach area, which is alright with Xcel Energy, who the town has an easement with, as long as they stay within the footprint already in place.

Board member David Staudacher mentioned that a few trees may need to come down when the work is done, so Guthman promised to keep Xcel informed as the process goes along.

Guthman also reported that he heard through the grapevine that the bitcoin operation planned by the hemp greenhouse facility is not going to happen. It turns out, allegedly, that Chippewa Valley Electric Cooperative was not excited about installing a substation to provide the immense power needed.

“The cost of a substation is substantial,” said Guthman. Also discussed, was possibly entering into a partnership with the Holcombe Area Veterans Memorial, as they are looking into installing an electric sign near the road.

“The old hand-painted sign…is due to go away,” said town treasurer/veterans memorial chairman Jim Mataczynski. “You’d be able to advertise on that, as well as us.”

Because it is not any where near the state highway, WisDOT approval would not be needed.

Mataczynski received an estimate of between $3,000 to $20,000, depending on the sign, with the two entities potentially splitting the costs.

“There are all types of styles you could do,” said town board supervisor Doug Olson.

All present agreed that the matter should be left to voters, at the annual town meeting, in April.

It was also agreed to set the town caucus for Thursday, Jan. 9, at 7 p.m., which will be followed by the regular meeting.