Speeding vehicles continue to concern residents of S. Holly Ave. in Elk Mound
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By Cara L. Dempski
ELK MOUND – A village resident who lives on S. Holly Ave. spoke during the citizens forum at the May 17 Village Board meeting about vehicles he frequently sees exceeding the speed limit in front of his home.
Sonny Pierce indicated he often witnesses cars driving by his home at speeds between 40 and 50 miles per hour which is well over the posted 25 mile-per-hour limit. He said this causes him concern for the safety of the children in the neighborhood.
Complaints of excess speed in this area are not new to the Board. Police Chief Chad Weinberger pointed out the best deterrent for people traveling at unsafe speeds is increased enforcement, which is difficult given current staffing levels in the Police Department.
After Pierce finished what he had to say, the meeting moved on to the next agenda item: approval of general fund and water/sewer utility vouchers. The vouchers received unanimous approval.
Next, Trustees approved a pair of building permits, one for Jim Klevgard of 117 Princeton for a 16’ x 24’ garage; and the other for Jordan Kloeppen at 500 University St. for driveway work.
Mark Levra spoke next to report on Village Public Works. He said the Public Works staff had been working on tree trimming for right-of-way and sign visibility.
Weinberger took a few minutes to report on his department activities, and said he and officers Hollister and DeVries have been doing more training, and investigations have been taking away from their patrol time. He listed one of his more interesting cases from the month of April, which involved a village resident making moonshine, a case in which he assisted the Department of Revenue. While the maker was a village resident, the still being used was located outside of town. He said most of his work remains with traffic and ordinance enforcement. He indicated the village had 84 total calls during April. They were scattered geographically around the Village, 82 having been investigated. He reported zero incidents requiring use of force. A juvenile sexual assault dated April 16 was discovered to be unfounded. Weinberger reminds everyone the state remained under a fire emergency at the time of the meeting.
On April 24, the Police Department again dealt with a sick muskrat. He advised village residents to be sure pets who spend a lot of time outdoors are vaccinated against illnesses like distemper and rabies. This was the second muskrat Weinberger had to destroy in less than a year.
Previously, he was called upon to destroy an aggressive muskrat with distemper the day before the November 2020 general election.
The Police Chief also reported Officer Hollister submitted his resignation on April 24, with the resignation effective June 8.
Weinberger reported the department worked on a case of Internet crimes against children that came from California, and it was referred to Chippewa County.
He also reminded residents to stay aware of changes in the weather, because the warmer temperatures of spring and summer can lead to severe weather.
Concerns over changes to parking restrictions, turns and other vehicle safety issues in school zones were referred to the Public Safety committee.
Next, the Board learned most of the standing committees had not met recently.
Fire Board representative Greg Kipp indicated Fire Chief Les Schaefer felt confident the department would be receiving one grant. Kipp also reported on the Colfax Rescue Squad. According to his report there was only one call to the village of Elk Mound, and most transports were taken to the Mayo Hospital in Menomonie. His report also included the information that two-thirds of the Boyceville area ambulance staff had resigned, and Colfax was assisting more heavily in the district.
Trustee Terry Stamm indicated the Dunn County Solid Waste and Recycling Board continues to meet, even though waste sites have been turned over to local control.
Stamm also reported the community center and library will soon be sporting a new coat of paint, since Levra had been waiting for warmer temperatures to complete the project of painting the building.
The Board then moved on to its next agenda item, communications and miscellaneous business as permitted by law, during which Trustee Paula Turner announced she will be moving to Texas which will put her closer to family members. That means there will be an open seat for a trustee soon.
The next village board meeting will be held June 7 at 6 p.m.
