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Weekly Blast: The Board held its monthly meeting on Wednesday. We’re trying a different agenda format to improve efficiency and shorten meeting times. A “consent agenda” allows usual items like minutes, committee and officer reports, financial reports, and invoices to be reviewed in advance of the meeting. When the meeting begins a board member can request that any item from the list be moved to the “regular” agenda for discussion and consideration. In this way any item where concerns or questions exist are scrutinized. Anything that remains on the consent agenda is approved by unanimous consent in its entirety. On Wednesday it seemed to work well, however it’s new so we’ll see how it goes. One item of interest (not on the consent agenda) was a Resolution regarding the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Plan prepared by the Wisconsin Rapids School District. The District includes Grant Elementary School right here in the Town of Grant. Recall some months ago we had an informational meeting for residents in the Mertz Subdivision just south of Grant Elementary. The residents did not want sidewalks for bike or pedestrians installed whenever the roads are reconstructed. Originally the Town included this option in two grants submitted to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT). Neither were funded, nor were two recent ones WITHOUT sidewalks included. In short, the SRTS Plan and the Resolution signed do not include any sidewalks within the Subdivision; only a short, cemented area at the corner of 85th/CTH WW at the request of the Portage County Highway Department. This, in hopes of a future enhanced crosswalk across the highway. This Resolution may be submitted with any future funding requests to reconstruct the roads within the Subdivision. However, if you have a million dollars sitting around, we’d be happy to start construction ASAP - ha! Have a safe weekend and be careful in the expected heatwave, Sharon

Posted on by webmaster

Weekly News Blast

Show me the culvert!

It’s been a painfully long wait for the culvert on 90th Street, south of CTH W. Low supply and high demand have been brutal on manufacturers, especially for specialized culverts like the one needed at this site. We’re not alone, Portage County, a big customer for culverts, are also in the same situation as us. However, the end is near. The culvert was finally delivered last Tuesday and the local contractor, Red Run will be installing it next week provided the weather is suitable.

More on culverts. There are many types of culverts, but not all are created equal. For example, appropriately sized round culverts are common, but a properly sized round culvert on 90th would have too high of a profile. That leaves us with an arched-type culvert (wider than higher) that has a lower profile to fit without causing a hump, and large enough to pass peak flows. That rules out round metal or plastic culverts – that vast majority of culverts in stock.

More to consider, the need for an arched culvert that is comprised of materials that can resist the acidic and corrosive nature of our water, puts this culvert in a customized category. An arched-metal culvert coated with a polymer, is needed to last (see attached photo). Proof positive is the existing failed culvert – that basically rotted away in 23 years. This is what happens when an uncoated metal and undersized culvert is used in this type of situation. Proper sizing and the type of material needed must be considered when we install it. If not, we are only contributing to the problem of inadequate infrastructure. It’s important to do it right!  Keep in mind that most of the culvert replacements will not need this level of analysis. Thus, we will proceed as needed in the most efficient way possible.  

Looking back, I was a “persistent” customer to the manufacturer by inquiring on a weekly basis regarding the status of the manufacturing of our culvert. The manufacturer is dependable, but like the rest, are moving as fast as they can. The board will always be looking for other vendors based on quality, costs and inventory.  In addition, the contractor who will be installing this culvert is also chomping at the bit! It is notable that the Town was not required to go through the usual bid process since an Emergency Resolution was passed. But finally, we’re ready to go! Unfortunately, there are some ill-created rumors, by the usual folks, about the process. There was, and never is, any favoritism in contractor selection. These rumors are unneeded and mean-spirited, which you’d think would stop just out of human decency, but here we are. Meanwhile, the Board and our partners are moving forward.

Thank you,

Scott Provost and your Board.