Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
 MAP

Weekly Blast!: It’s been an exciting and hopeful week for the Town of Grant. On Monday Supervisor Doug Steltenpohl convened a meeting for our snowplow operators to discuss what worked and what didn’t during the recent blizzard. During their discussion Supervisor Provost chimed in that state historical records reported that this area had not had a storm of similar intensity since the late 1800s – whoa! Our operators have been charged with considering the current plow routes and to make suggestions for possible modifications in preparation for next winter season. Later that morning the Board met and approved the planned purchase of a chipper. This purchase will allow our Public Works crew to chip the brush they clear along our rights-of-ways and distribute the mulch into the adjoining woods. This will be a much cleaner operation for all to see. Once our winter season’s brush has been chipped the crew will get to clearing the brush laying within ditches and swales so as not to impede spring flow from melt. Last, we will be making small repairs on our JCB, now 32 years old and showing its age. We will use it short-term but intend to sell it and move to a lease to own program for a newer machine over the next three years. Currently we use our backhoe/loader for many functions almost daily. It’s time.   Today and tomorrow winter; Sunday through next week, spring? Hopefully, Sharon  

Posted on , by webmaster

Weekly News Blast

Good news. You do not need to wait a week for the next Weekly News Blast. 

Hello all! Did you know we have over 100 road crossings with culverts in the Town of Grant? That’s a lot! They are necessary due to the large network of drainage ditches, natural streams and wetlands that traverse our town. Without these we would suffer obviously flooding, but they come with a cost. Many of our culverts are in great shape, but we have our share of crossings that need repair or have had substantial repair. In order to do this however, we need to know what we have out there, and which ones need attention so assure proper hydraulic conveyance – water movement – continues.

The Town Board has a great working relationship with our partners at D.O.T. and at the Portage County Highway Department. This collaboration has rewarded us with over a million dollars in funds to repair the worst of the worst in the last four years. You most likely have noticed the replacement of five failing culvert bridges over this period. There was just about every temporary fix attempted over the years, but failure was imminent and even occurring at a few! These bridges received 50% cost share from our partners, which made the replacement of these failing structures possible. This was a direct result of our working relationship with our road building partners. 

In 2024, we were giving the option by the County to have all of our culverts over 6 feet inspected by them or their consultant, or we could do it ourselves and earn $100.00 for very inspection if the Town completed it for them. After a short training course to learn the process, all the inspections were completed during the fall of 2024. After lots of miles, measurements, forms and spreadsheets, some awesome wildlife views and a few wet feet, the task was completed. Last week the county awarded the Town of Grant a check for $2,300. Of all the remaining culverts in the town only 23 met the parameters for reimbursement (i.e. culverts >6 feet in diameter).

Another realized benefit of this survey was that we have a better idea of where our road crews need to concentrate maintenance work this year. Yes, the typical road work will occur this year, but in addition to regular maintenance, our crossings will be highlighted as well. Most of this is removal of brush and trees around culvert openings that may be restricting flow or may be jeopardizing the structural integrity of the culverts. Unfortunately, there will also be some work (your tax dollars) going to the removal of disposed trash (e.g. furniture, TV’s, mattresses, etc.) that can plug the culverts and/or release toxins such as PFAS and/or heavy metals to our waterways. We will do our best to address these issues, but your help to prevent and report areas of dumping will help us ultimately curtail some of this behavior and save us more money.

Thanks,
Scott