Abandoned road, topic at Boyceville Village Board

BOYCEVILLE — A number of years ago the village board abandoned part of a road on the western edge of the village. Now that action has been called into question.

The road at question is part of River Road, which is located just north of Tiffany Creek and intersects with Duffy Street.

Melissa Woolhouse addressed the village board on behalf of Gary and Chris Evenson. She explained that all they want is access to their land, which is south of the portion of the street that was apparently abandoned. Woolhouse had a pile of documents that she said indicated that it was still a street and that the village failed to file with the county that they had abandoned the street.

Woolhouse indicated that when they try to get to the land, “we are harassed by people who claimed we should not be there.” She continued by saying, “all I want is someone to tell them to leave us alone.”

Village President Gib Krueger, after looking over the paper work that Woolhouse had presented to the village board noted that it was bits and pieces and that they needed to hire a lawyer. “It’s a civil issue between you and the others. We are not going to give you permission to use the road because we are not sure.”

Woolhouse countered with the statement, “even if it was abandoned, it was still access to that property.” Woolhouse concluded with the statement, “I know you are not going to do anything, except hide behind that table.” She pointed to Police Chief Dan Wellumson saying he was no help. But Wellumson countered with the other people, say you are trespassing and he indicated that he did not know who was right.

But in the end, Krueger told Woolhouse that he would do a title search on that road.

Yet Another Seeking Relief

Lyle Rambo who lives in Minnesota, but owns property in Boyceville appeared before village board at their meeting Monday night to address a billing he received for public utility service on his property in Boyceville. The home that he owns and rented was destroyed by fire this winter and he is receiving billing for utility service that fronts his property.

It was explained to him that, even with the service disconnected from that home on Main Street, the village still charges for that frontage. President Krueger tried to explain it this way: “At one time there was no utility mains and then the village installed those mains and someone had to pay that cost of those pipes.” C.J. Swanepoel, village clerk, explained that even vacant lots that have those pipes running in front of the property are charged for that service.

Rambo questioned, “I wish someone would explain the billing to me.”  But Krueger quickly replied, “We just did.”

Finally Left Town

During his report to the village board, Police Chief Dan Wellumson noted that the gentleman that lived at 1330 Tiffany Street had moved out of town. Wellumson said that the police department had registered 139 incidents with him since 1999. He did not explain what those incidents were.

Another interesting note was that two granddaughters of a resident living in the trailer court were approached by two teens while playing in the yard. The young girls, ages four and eight were told by the teens that they were in trouble and that the teens would call the “cops.” “But grandmother called first,” Wellumson said. He indicated that he has not been able to locate the teens.

Dakota Lain Walk Scheduled

The third annual Dakota Lain Walk for abused children will again be held in Boyceville on Saturday, October 5. Teresa Schilling informed the village board about the activities of the walk and informed the board about the money raised in last year’s walk. Schilling said, “We wrote a $17,500 check to the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.”