Boyceville’s waste water treatment facility project stalled
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By Renee Bettendorf
BOYCEVILLE — After hearing an update from village engineer, Eric Barclay, the Boyceville village board decided to consult the village’s attorney in regards to a sewer use agreement that is holding up the wastewater treatment facility plant (WWTF) project at their meeting held on Monday evening.
“If the industrial user continues to stall or flat out refuses to sign an agreement, that would likely tank the project at this point,” said Barclay.
In addition to being reluctant to sign a new sewer use agreement with the village, the industrial user (Ohly) has also indicated that they think the cost to be assessed for their portion of the WWTF project was “a non-starter”, said Barclay.
In his communications with the industrial user, Barclay learned that they are waiting to see the scheduled values from the construction company and the finalized costs from the engineering company that would do the project. He went on to say that the project is in a phase where “if it’s a non-starter at that price, it’s going to be a non-starter anywhere around there” since the scheduled values from the contractor are not going to change anything significantly as far as cost is concerned.
Barclay said that at this point if the industrial user is in a position to say they are unwilling to pay, he thinks it’s appropriate for the village to consult the village’s attorney on next steps regarding what actions the village is legally allowed to take.
Village president Luke Montgomery said that if they get into a situation where they can’t move forward with the project and something goes down at the wastewater treatment facility plant, the quickest way to meet the DNR permits would be to shut them (Ohly) off.
Barclay noted that if the industrial user was not using the WWTF, the project would be significantly cheaper. He also said that the DNR wants to see a sewer use agreement in place between the village and the industrial user and he does not think it’s financially feasible to continue to operate under their old agreement. A new agreement needs to be in place before the village can secure a Clean Water Fund loan from the DNR.
“Everything hinges on this agreement so that we can get that clean water fund,” said Montgomery.
The board agreed to get in touch with their attorney on the matter.
Earlier in the meeting the board heard an update about progress on the Sykora Lane project from Barclay. He said that Albrightson Excavating has installed all of the sewer mainline and manholes and have moved on to working on the water mainline and tie-ins. Next will be hooking up individual services and the storm sewer.
“Everything seems to be on schedule,” said Barclay.
Also in regards to the Sykora Lane project, the board approved spending $2,000 per lot to have Dunn Energy hook up power to each lot. They discussed getting gas and communication lines to the lots and how to go about installing street lights in the area.
In his report to the board director of public works, Craig Dotseth said that as of last week no one in the village will need to run the taps at their homes to keep pipes from freezing. He also spoke about a ‘No Wipes in Pipes’ public service announcement campaign that was launched for all residents whose waste water goes through lift station one.
Police chief Greg Lamkin joined the meeting virtually and reported that his department had 121 calls for service in the village last month and handled 107 of them. He also said that the department is on track budget-wise so far this year and that he is headed to court in June for a nuisance property in the village.
Clerk/treasurer Brittany Halvorson told the board that 334 voters turned out in the village for the April 1 election. Lately she’s been working on Sykora Lane paperwork and a number of people have called her office inquiring about the new building lots.
Renee Swenson of Cedar Corporation attended the meeting to inform the board that the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Program is being discontinued. The program has been providing housing rehabilitation and homebuyer assistance with 0% interest loans since the 1980’s.
Swenson said that communities are being directed to proceed as normal for now and try to use up the funds that they have as there is not a firm timeline set up yet for when the funds will be cut off. Currently the village has about $18,000 in funds that they could loan out through the program.
She recommended that the village try to loan out those funds for now. Swenson went on to say that once the program is officially discontinued, residents will still be able to apply, but they will have to do so at the regional office in Chippewa Falls. The board agreed to try to loan the money out before the program is discontinued.
In other business the Boyceville village board:
• Heard from Halvoson that the library received a $2,000 grant from Dunn Energy which they will use for new shelving and a water cooler.
• Learned from Dotseth that the pickle ball courts are open.
• After hearing from two representatives from the public finance advisor company, Ehlers, the board voted to approach People’s State Bank for interim financing for the Sykora Lane project.
• Approved Traci Suckow as a new library board member.
• Approved changes to the village’s golf cart ordinance with trustee Jo Dormanen voting in the negative.
