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Weekly News Blast: Have you ever wondered what a town clerk does? Well, in a word, “LOTS”! Our town clerk, Stefanie Schlapa, does a great deal, juggling town work among a busy family and other work life. Here’s just a sample of the work she has done in the past few weeks…Hang on! 2026 Budget completed; Tax Statements mailed; Statement of Taxes completed; Processed W2 tax forms; WT-7 tax forms completed; Filed Quarterly reports including the 941, Wage Reports (e.g. Unemployment); Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Annual Reconciliation; Fire Dues Certification; Attended two Election Trainings; Completed required Badger Books Training (for elections); [Note: will be installing required Badger Book update Saturday Jan 17]; Dispersed tax payments to Wisconsin Rapids, Tri-County and Stevens Point school districts and Portage County; WRS Remittance % update; Instituted new federal mileage rate; Confirmed Election Plans for 2026 [Note: No February Primary]; Filed insurance claim for First Responder; Investigated issue with Waste Management regarding outstanding fees and worked on several discrepancies with other vendors; and queried town insurer regarding proposed recreational use for town land. WHEW! This coming week she’ll be working on entering the 2026 budget, payroll and outstanding bills, filing safety and recycling reports, and much more. It's often been said that a “good clerk runs a town”. It’s true. It’s an enormous job that requires true commitment, honesty, and responsibility. Please be sure to thank Stefanie when you see her. And, if you are interested in helping Stefanie in her role, please contact her at clerk@townofgrant-portage.wi.gov or call her at the town hall 715-423-9193 or town cell 715-213-7370. As you can read, there’s a LOT to do! Thank you, Sharon

Posted on by webmaster

Special Fire Order Issued Due to Ongoing Drought

DNR Reinstates Burning Permits Beginning Oct. 15
In 13 Wisconsin Counties

 MADISON, Wis. – Due to prolonged drought conditions and potential for elevated fire danger, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will reinstate DNR burning permits by issuing a Special Fire Order in 13 Wisconsin counties. The permit reinstatement will begin at 12:01 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, in designated DNR protection areas until further notice. 

The permit reinstatement applies to the following 13 extensive DNR protection area counties outside incorporated cities and villages: all of Columbia, Crawford, Green Lake, Marquette, Portage, Richland, Sauk, Waupaca, Waushara counties and portions of Oconto, Dane, Grant and Iowa counties.

A DNR annual burning permit is now required for burning in a barrel, a debris pile and grass or wooded areas as outlined by the permit, unless the ground is completely snow-covered. Before burning in these areas, anyone wishing to burn must obtain a DNR burn permit and then visit WisBURN for the current burn restrictions.

Traditionally, DNR burn permits are required in extensive protection areas from Jan. 1 through May 31, anytime the ground is not snow-covered. Reinstating permits allows the DNR to suspend burning on a given day during times of elevated fire danger.

A DNR burn permit is not required for campfires intended for cooking or warming, but the public is reminded to use extreme caution. Consider having small campfires in a designated fire ring or device in the evening hours to avoid burning under elevated fire conditions, which are typically found during the day.  

Current wildfire concerns are primarily due to the lack of precipitation across the entire state. Wisconsin has received record low rain in recent weeks, resulting in varying levels of moderate to severe drought. Wildfires that occur under these conditions can burn for great lengths of time and smolder underground for days and can be challenging to suppress. 

Dry conditions, coupled with the potential for increased fire danger in the fall due to dead leaves, pine needles and other dry vegetation on the ground, make debris burning especially risky. Debris burning continues to be the leading cause of wildfires in Wisconsin.   

The DNR intends to keep the permit requirements in place until the drought situation improves significantly, either due to long-term rain or snow events. The DNR will continue to evaluate as conditions change.  

Check current fire danger, wildfire reports and burning restrictions on the DNR website.