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Weekly Blast!: Last week the scheduled notifications for the Weekly Blast were not sent due to a problem with our website provider. You must refer to our website to read last week’s news, which was posted but not notified. We apologize for any inconvenience. On Tuesday, the Town of Grant Board in collaboration with our Plan Commission held two public hearings. The first regarded two changes to our Comprehensive Plan: the solar overlay map and accompanying rationale. Changes included the final mapped delineations of Portage Solar LLC and Vista Sands Solar, and one brief paragraph describing status. The second public hearing included changes to our Zoning Ordinance re: data centers. At this writing they would be denied in every zoning district. There would be the creation of a “floating zone” titled industrial 2 should there be an interested party. Following, they would have to request a zoning change which would require public hearings at the town and county levels. In other words, unlike solar projects 100MW or greater where we, the Town did not have a say at the local level, in the case of a potential data center, the Town would indeed have knowledge of data center prospectors and the ability to deny or permit such an industry. Please tip your hat to the T. Grant Plan Commission members Jodi Lomma, Jeanne Eggebrecht, Kathy Lee, and Tom Reitter who worked proactively and swiftly on this critical zoning change. Glad we got some rain. Enjoy a bit of respite from the heat this weekend, Sharon

Posted on , by webmaster

Weekly News Blast

This week the 161st Annual Meeting of the Electors was held. Thanks are extended to all attendees. Our local providers, including ambulance service, fire and sheriff department; and our town appointees, including plan commissioner chair, zoning administrator, and webmaster provided their annual reports. It’s important to hear what occurred the previous year. If you’re interested know that most of these reports can be found on this website!

There were questions for our clerk and treasurer who provided the Annual Report. It was complete with reconciliations of funds for all months in 2024, our outstanding loan obligations, payroll amounts extended to all employees of the town, and more. Copies of the report are available online and included in a printable format.

There were several questions that evening but a few you might be interested in including:  

  • Whatever happened to the Nuisance Ordinance? The ordinance template has been shelved for now. However, the Plan Commission incorporated some of the nuisance concerns in its revision of the Zoning Ordinance
  • Why no more Zoom? Our subscription to Zoom lapsed. We were advised by our attorneys not to continue due to ongoing litigation. In doing so we are aligned with other Portage County towns and villages who do not provide this as an option.
  • Are the solar panels on the town hall roof paying off? Yes, but slowly. It is anticipated that it will take 9-12 years for the solar panels to pay for themselves (the life expectancy of the panels is expected to be 30 years). During the summer months, the panels offset the cost of the hall, garage, and streetlights (Mertz subdivision). During the winter months they help to offset the cost of the hall and garage.
  • When will the monthly board meeting minutes be available or can we get drafts? For town and village clerks statewide the first quarter of each year is the busiest, especially in an election cycle. So, our board meeting minutes are a few months behind. Clerk Schlapa appointed deputy clerk Kathy Rogers (welcome!) who will be helping her with minutes, among other things. Following the Annual Meeting I contacted the Wisconsin Towns Association, and this is what their lead attorney advised:

“The draft becomes a public record that can be requested once the clerk types them up into a format for board review.   State law does not require that a town post draft (or approved) town board meeting minutes on your town website.  So, that is optional.  But, again, a public record request could be made for them once they are typed up into draft format for the board.

  • Can we consider buying a used plow truck? Well, yes and no…Truck 22 is being “nickeled and dimed” – we need a more reliable service truck. This year the Town will close out the loan on the grader so we could consider another obligation on a new or used vehicle. It might be time to start looking for something that fits our needs…? We’ll look to our Treasurer Greg Hakala for some sound advice and to designate our Equipment Fund with vehicle/cost in mind.
  • Can something be done about the low or overhanging trees on some of our roads? During our upcoming spring road inspection this is something town officers and public works employees will be looking at. But, if you have a list of roads of concern, let us know!

Speaking of roads, depending on where you live you may have noticed that the edges of some unsurfaced roads were pulled up this week. The Town purchased a retrieving device that pulls in road material (gravel, granite, other) that over time has made its way into the road edges, ditches, and rights-of-way. By recapturing this material, we save a bit of money on road material. Then our grader operator can redistribute it throughout the drive surface. But be patient as the first few passes will be a bit rough. But over time and subsequent passes things will smooth out. When you see our grader operator Steve be sure to give a wave!

The winter/spring newsletter will be arriving at your home soon. If you do not get a copy by the end of the month, please let me know!

Enjoy the weekend, Sharon