Gilman eyes village owned parcel for housing

When coming into Gilman from the west, there’s a piece of pie-shaped villageowned property behind the Wells Street apartments, that follows the highway. The parcel is 2 1/2 acres and in Gilman Police Chief Tom Tallier’s viewpoint, it could be the perfect option for getting in some much-needed housing.

Tallier brought up the matter at a regular Gilman Village Board meeting Aug. 9, requesting that the board discuss the matter.

“It’s better than nothing happening with that land right now,” said Tallier.

If members approve the sale – which would happen after a public hearing – Tallier suggested having a contingency attached to the sale, that a housing development(s) will be constructed within a certain amount of time.

“There’s access off the highway that someone could have there,” said Tallier. “There’s plenty of room to build something right there.”

Trustees agreed it would be good to have the property on the tax roll, as well as providing additional housing and possibly bringing more children into the Gilman School system. The matter will be looked at farther and other villageowned property will also get a look, to see if there’s any development potential.

“It’d be nice to get something in there,” said trustee Russell Baker.

With the recent opening of the new Dollar General, the business side of development is going well, with trustees reporting there’s a large selection of goods at the store to the east of town.

“I think that it’s a perfect opportunity to bring other people into town and hopefully, grow some businesses on Main Street,” said village president Jane DeStaercke.

Of course, with more people traveling through, and stopping in Gilman, that means more of an opportunity for someone to drive off without paying for their gas. Over the last couple months, Tallier handled four gas drive-off complaints and talked to both stations in the village, finding that their employees failed to ask if the customer had fuel when they were ready to pay, so the customers simply drove off.

“You have to get that question in there,” said Tallier.

Fuel was on the brain during the meeting, as trustees approved the annual LP pre-buy, going with the lowest price from River Country, for $1.259, for 8,000 gallons. Also submitting bids, were Cloverleaf, for $1.45, and Medford Co-op, for $1.309.

“Is that an adequate amount to get us through the winter?” asked trustee Bob Preston.

Clerk Candice Grunseth said, based on previous years’ usage, it will be enough.

The board also approved the Uniform Dwelling Code revisions to adopt the changes recommended by the inspector and zoning code administrator, something that has been in the works for months.

“It’s not much change from the previous one,” said Grunseth.

Grunseth also reported that Capacity Maintenance Operation Management (CMOM) plan that she and public works director Dave Kroeplin worked on, was approved by the DNR, with a couple simple corrections. The village was unaware they needed a CMOM, then were given a tight deadline to complete it, but Grunseth says they will update it on an annual basis, so they’re not in that position again.

“You put a lot of work into that within a very short time,” said DeStaercke.

Although the fire department has requested the area in front of the department be listed as no parking on McSloy Street, it was discovered that actually it was approved years ago. The village is looking at putting signs back up in the designated no parking space.

Members also discussed the Readiness Assessment Survey, where they decided to concentrate on Main Street for the time being. Each trustee is asked to look around and make a list of things that could possibly be improved, whether by painting, pulling weeds or removing items from properties. Once that is determined, the board can then approach the property owners about what help is available to potentially address the noted items.

“We’ve got to start somewhere,” said trustee Rusell Baker.

During the meeting, the board also heard from Western Taylor County Library director Rita Ludvigsen, on what services the library offers and how it runs. When a patron checks something out, the library receives money from the county, which determines the library’s budget.

“That’s how the library gets its money,” said Ludvigsen.

The cost each residence pays in Taylor County, through taxes, is $24.14, per person, per year, to fund the five libraries in the system.

“I, personally, think it’s money well spent,” said Ludvigsen.

In the three years since Ludvigsen has been on board as director, the library has taken their circulation from 14,000 to 20,000.

“What we’ve done over the last couple years, is ramp up the programming,” she said.

Included in that programming, is morning storytime during the school year, Facebook storytime every Monday, LEGO Club, summer Tween Book Club, STEM activity, local author events, sidewalk chalking, school visits, painting flower pots, crafting with beads, puzzles, a monthly adult craft make-and-take, and, of course, the yearly summer reading program.

“All of this is free,” said Ludvigsen. “We are not a quiet library.”

In addition, the library staff puts together book bundles for the younger school classes, and for the local Amish schools and daycares.

“We’re really kind of creative…we’re reaching out to the community,” said Ludvigsen, adding that the library offers a great social outlet.

By having so much to offer the public, Ludvigsen needs supplies and prizes, which are mostly purchased from local businesses, as well as utilizing Gilman Bucks.

Ludvigsen asked the board to consider that if they have any extra funds in the village’s annual budget, that they send them the library’s way, as any little bit will help. The library also accepts donations of items or monetary gifts.

“We haven’t made any requests and haven’t had any changes since 2014,” she said.

For readers, there are a myriad of books, magazines and cookbooks – since Ludvigsen tries to stay up-to-date and can find, on request, almost anything – and the library also has puzzles, DVDs and computers for use.

“The library’s more than just books,” said Ludvigsen.