Monthly meeting of the Village Board was held on Oct. 11 in the Community Room of the Scandinavia Municipal Center.
President David Mork called the meeting to order at 5:04 p.m. Members present: Dave Mork, Mike Hayes, Chris Williams, Becky Morgan, Bob Fredy, Judy Watson – Treasurer, and Renee Smith – Clerk. Others present: Noah Swenson, Wayne and Sheila Luck, Sydney Meindl, Ken and Lolly Heger, Norma Jean Fochs, and Patrick Boyle.
President Mork asked for approval of the agenda; motion made (Hayes/Williams). Motion carried unanimously.
Motion made (Williams/Morgan) to approve the Board’s September meeting minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Norma Jean Fochs and Patrick Boyle were present to inquire about purchasing parcels 25 15 77 15 and 28 15 77 16. They are interested in building a two-family, one-story home. However, due to the 50-foot (50’) setback on parcel 28 15 77 16 they would like to combine the two parcels. Clerk Smith spoke with Building Inspector Robert Viste ahead of the meeting and he saw no problem with this. Norma Jean asked if we could figure out how much buildable land would be available after all the setbacks were figured in. Clerk Smith will contact the building inspector and will get back to Norma Jean.
Sydney Meindl was present to discuss the barking dogs at Bonnie’s Little Fluffys located across the street from their home. The barking dog situation has been going on since Bonnie Timm moved in with the dogs. In November 2021, Ms. Timm approached the Board and asked for permission to move her dog breeding business from her Waupaca residence to her new Scandinavia residence. She explained all the work that she was doing to keep the dogs contained and the barking to a minimum.
Ms. Timm was installing a chain link fence with privacy curtain around the property. She was also renovating the old garage into a dog kennel/grooming station. Ms. Timm stated she must register her dog breeding business with the State of Wisconsin and would be inspected every two years. The Board granted her permission under the Home Occupation designation which did not require a conditional use permit.
In January 2022, Levi Kubisiak and Sydney Meindl spoke with Trustee Morgan and made their first complaint regarding the barking dogs and running-at-large. They were very disappointed no one asked for their input since they live right across the street. The Board realized this was an oversight and apologized for not reaching out. Not much has improved since January. Levi and Sydney have spoken to Ms. Timm on numerous occasions regarding the barking dogs. Ms. Timm had assured them and the Board she would do whatever she could to minimize the barking. As of this October meeting, Levi and Sydney feel that very little has been done to quiet the barking and communication between the parties has pretty much ended.
After lengthy discussion, a motion was made (Hayes/Williams) to issue Ms. Timm a $75 citation citing violation of the Village of Scandinavia Book of Ordinances SEC. 6-1- 12 Public Nuisance: Noisy Animals or Fowl.
SEC. 6-1-12 PUBLIC NUISANCE: NOISY ANIMALS OR FOWL. It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to keep or harbor any animal or fowl which by frequent or habitual howling, yelping, barking, crowing, or making of other noises shall greatly disturb or annoy persons in the neighborhood who are of ordinary sensibilities. Such animals or fowl are hereby declared to be a public nuisance.
Clerk Smith will contact Building Inspector Viste to discuss issuing the citation.
Noah Swenson was present to discuss the purchase of all 6.6 acres of parcel 28 15 41 8. At last month’s meeting Noah expressed his interest in purchasing the entire parcel. However, since there was interest in this parcel earlier in the year from Rebecca and Tom Newby, the Board wanted to give them notice that someone else was also interested in the same parcel. President Mork spoke directly with Rebecca Newby and Clerk Smith sent a letter informing them there is another interested party and do they still have interest in purchasing it. Rebecca Newby informed Clerk Smith that they are not in a position to purchase and won’t be for several years. Clerk Smith informed President Mork that the Newby’s are not interested in purchasing at this time and that he could inform Noah the entire parcel is available to purchase.
Trustee Hayes explained to Mr. Swenson that Industrial Park Drive currently ends at that parcel. The Village Board would like to extend Industrial Park Drive through the entire parcel for future use. Mr. Swenson did not object. Mr. Swenson made an offer of $36,000. After Board discussion, the Board counteroffered with $40,000 and an offer to split the survey fee with Mr. Swenson. Mr. Swenson accepted the offer of $40,000 and to split the survey fee. The Village of Scandinavia will cover the attorney fees to draw up the deed. Mr. Swenson stated he will have Brian Derus from Keller Williams Homestead Realty Iola office write up the offer to purchase. Clerk Smith will contact Kyle Fischer, Waupaca County Surveyor to survey this parcel.
Ken and Lolly Heger were present to discuss mowing. We had a few complaints from the Vikings Baseball Club that the ballpark wasn’t being mowed when it needed to be mowed. There were also a couple of complaints regarding the tall grass on the vacant Oak Street lots.
Mr. Heger said he did get behind due to rain but did catch up. As far as the ballpark mowing Ken said he was never given a schedule and had no idea when the games were or when it needed to be mowed. The Board agreed that without a schedule how would he know. The Village and Town Board will make sure Ken and Lolly have a schedule for Memorial Park and the ballfield next year. The Village and Town Board will also create a list of jobs and priorities for Ken and Lolly, so we are all on the same page as to what needs to be done and when.
Mr. Heger also mentioned that he is repairing a broken frame on the lawnmower for the second time. He said it was due to all the ruts left in the grass after the carnival moves out from the annual Scandinavia Corn Roast. He said the ruts are very hard on the mower.
Outdoor Dining Ordinance discussed. Clerk Smith will have resolution ready for adoption of ordinance for November’s meeting.
Municipal Center: No new business.
Ordinance violations: Camper on Lake Street was removed before this meeting.
Committee Reports
Streets: Since Highway 49 was redone this summer, the corner of Norse Street and Hwy. 49 (ScandiHus corner) has a raised piece of concrete that could be a tripping hazard. Trustee Hayes contacted Waupaca County Highway Deptartment and they will paint the hazard with reflective paint to make it more visible.
Parks: Wayne and Sheila Luck were present to give an update on Sentral Park. To date, the park committee has raised approximately $100,000 towards the purchase of new playground equipment and park updates. They would like to take advantage of this year’s pricing and place the order before the end of the year. The sooner they order the sooner they get on the installation calendar. First thing in the spring they will need to begin grading and preparing the ground for the new equipment.
Mrs. Luck had a few questions regarding existing playground equipment. There is some concern with the existing wood playset she thought the Board should be aware of. Many older wooden playsets were treated with a pesticide called Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) most commonly used as a wood preservative. CCA helped to make the wood resistant to termites and fungi that cause decay. The wood is dipped into CCA then pressure-treated to force the CCA into the lumber (commonly known as pressure treated wood). This was not solely used on playsets but also picnic tables, decks, docks, garden beds, etc. Because CCA is water-soluble, it can leach out of the wood when it rains or cracks leaving it sit on the surface where it can stick to hands and clothing. It can also leach into the ground and can be found in the sand or material the treated wood is located in.
Young children are more at risk of exposure because they have frequent hand to mouth activity. Available information suggests that exposure to the arsenic in CCA treated wood poses the greatest potential health risk. However, there is great uncertainty regarding the exposure dose that results from contact with CCA treated wood.
There are three bouncy toys and monkey bars currently at the park. Does the Village want to keep them? The bouncy toys are not in the best of shape. Unfortunately for the toys, adults like to try and ride them too. This is extremely hard on the springs and toys, and it shows.
There is also a section of chain link fence that needs to go. Mr. Luck thought we could possibly sell it. He will get the measurements and send them to Clerk Smith.
Sewer/Lagoon: Windmill is almost done. Hopefully it will be back up yet this fall. B & M Technical Services reported the weir casing replacement should begin within the next couple of weeks. No vegetation maintenance needed during the winter months. Will begin monitoring again in the spring. Test wells are scheduled to be surveyed yet this fall according to Kyle Fischer, Waupaca County Surveyor. He is hoping within the next week or two.
Other business
Booster Club update: No new business.
Bills for the month were reviewed. Motion made (Fredy/Hayes) to approve claims as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Trustee Fredy verified cash fund account balances.
The task management spreadsheet was reviewed and updated.
Delinquent dog licenses: There are a few residents who refuse to pay the late fee. Treasurer Watson asked the Board what she should do with the delinquent dog owners who paid the license fee but not the late fee. It was decided they will not be issued a dog license(s) until the late fee is paid. It was made very clear to each delinquent dog owner that the late fee must be paid before the dog license(s) will be issued. Treasurer Watson will send the remaining dog licenses issued to the Waupaca County clerk’s office.
Meeting compensation postponed until November.
Yard sign ordinance postponed until November.
The 2022 budget figures were reviewed. Will have a better idea of actual 2022 expenditures when November’s expenses are known.
Preliminary 2023 budget figures were reviewed. Will discuss further at November’s Budget Hearing.
Public Budget Hearing has been scheduled for Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. in the Community Room of the Scandinavia Municipal Center.
Highway B bridge is scheduled to reopen Oct. 12. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at 1 p.m. at the bridge. Bridge will open immediately following the ceremony.
Pending projects were reviewed.
Motion made (Fredy/Williams) to adjourn meeting at 6:37 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.