Cadott Village Board; Who knew garbage could be such a hot topic?

Tim Miller, with Waste Management, presented a one-year contract renewal for services with Cadott, at a village board meeting Sept. 18. If the village goes with the one-year option for now, they will pay for the services, with an increase. Another and longer option, would be to have residents pick up the tab for curbside garbage and recycling services. Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

On a weekly basis, adults and sometimes kids can be seen toting bags of garbage, and bins or carts filled with recyclable materials, out to curbside in front of their homes. But who pays for the regular occurrence to happen?

That’s what Tim Miller, with Waste Management (WM), was on-hand to discuss at the Cadott Village Board meeting Sept. 18. WM’s current agreement with services for Cadott, is operating from one that the village had with Advanced Disposal, who was bought out by WM.

Although the village is happy with that contract, WM has other ideas and wants to institute some changes going forward.

“It’s not running at a profitable level,” said Miller.

To try to get the services on a more profitable level for WM, they have a couple options available to the village: a one-year extension, at a 5 percent increase, paid for by the village, per usual; or a scenario where the village no longer pays drive-by fees for recycling or waste, but everything is passed onto the residents to pay for their own services.

“That’s how most municipalities typically bill it,” said Miller.

Trustee Les Liptak asked how the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is figured out on a 12-month average, which determines contracts. Miller said it is around the 5 mark for 2022, trending a little north of that for six months of this year. CPI is figured, based on findings of government analysts, who take into account everything regarding water, sewer and trash, and then look at projected pricing.

“I guess I’d like to know how you determine your fees,” said Liptak.

For WM, at least, disposal and processing rates, and recycling commodities are factors built into the component. The company then looks at the figures yearly, for each municipality.

“Your price isn’t changing every month,” said Miller.

Cadott has until the end of the year, to decide if the village wants to go with WM or seek services from another company. They can decide to take the one-year extension, but if they choose the five-year plan, the charges would all be on residents.

Since the five-year plan was not ready, board members agreed they want to see both options and asked Miller to report back to them with that option, and they’ll weigh both contracts.

“I’d hate to do it, but I think it’s probably what’s happening out there now,” said trustee Bart Chapek, of the fiveyear plan. “You’ve done a pretty good job for us, you guys know the village – we’d kind of like to stay with you, if we can.”

Members did approve a Conditional Use Permit for Cloverleaf Farm Supply adjoining their current property, after a Public Hearing was held on the matter. Before the approval took place, Cody Aardema, a neighbor directly to the west of the proposed development, did have a request of the village.

Since Cloverleaf cut down trees up to Aardema’s property line to make room for the new planned building, the area has become nosier and unsightly. Aardema wouldn’t speak for the other neighbors on that street, but they seemed to agree with Aardema and asked that the village encourage Cloverleaf to do some restoration.

“I’m not asking you to force anything upon them (Cloverleaf), I just think it would be a nice gesture to the neighbors to replant some trees after the construction, to cut down on the noise again,” said Aardema.

The board agreed to do so, along with granting the permit, with the contingencies to submit state-approved plans to the village and any significant changes. The state denied original plans, but that was before Cloverbelt provided a survey map and combined the two lots where they intend to build.

Members also approved a land survey plan and site plan for the building.

Another building was also given the go-ahead, for the Cadott Lions Club proposed storage/grill building, west of the driveway by the pine trees, at the Lions pavilion. The structure will be a 16x16 size open for grilling and 16x20 for the storage part.

“We’ll eliminate the little storage building on the end of the building we have now and actually secure everything a little bit better,” said trustee/Lion Terry Licht.

That way, anyone can rent grills to have chicken for parties and events. The village forester approved removing the trees to make room for it and the club will officially apply for a building permit.

Also approved, was a Transient Merchant Permit for Anna Mari Jaenke, who has a table at certain places around the village, including at the farmers market and Booya Days.

“I’m appreciative of the fact that she actually applied for something,” said Liptak, adding they’re glad to have business in the village.

So the public is aware, because of election training for the village office staff, the clerk’s office will be closed until 1 p.m., Monday, Oct. 16.