Advertisement The rate increase was approved June 12 by the village board. No one appeared at a public hearing to speak pro or con on the rates.
“The (Wisconsin) Public Service Commission pretty much dictated the rates,” village President John Chapman said. “They did not give us a lot of room for revisions.”
The PSC determined the village was charging too little for the water utility to be adequately financed and ordered higher water bills. It estimated the village needed to raise about $265,000 a year to meet its standards.
Star Hill sale
Sale of a portion of Star Hill from the village to the Holmen Lions Club is set for June 29. The village wants to sell the land on which there is a star/cross display to avoid a legal dispute over whether it is appropriate to have religious symbols on public land.
The star and cross were erected in 1960 by the village and Lions Club. The property has been part of the village reservoir site for about five years, and the symbol has been lit with village electricity.
A Holmen resident, Eric Barnes, lodged an informal complaint with the village because the cross, which is lit during the 40 days of Lent, is on village property.
The issue prompted a comment by Chapman at the June 12 village board meeting. He wanted to amend minutes of the board’s May meeting in which Trustee Ryan Olson questioned Administrator/Clerk Catherine Schmit’s lack of communication with the news media. “I did not want her to speak because of the content of the matter and the threat of legal action. I felt the village attorney should respond to inquiries,” Chapman said.
Road work
Road work on Long Coulee Road and Hale Road should be done by the end of the month. Village public works director Bob Haines said he expects paving to be completed on the two well-traveled thoroughfares within days.
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