The Hollandale Village Board discussed an email at their board meeting on April 1, that was received from Tim Stockman of Davy Engineering, who is helping the village find water quality trading (WQT) credits to be able to bring the limit of phosphorus allowable into the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) to a better level before a stricter limit takes place in March 2027.
Stockman wrote the board saying they received feedback from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on their hydrologic & hydraulic (H&H) study. This study analyzes the movement of water through watersheds and structures to manage flood risk and infrastructure design. The DNR had concerns about some of the habitat structures proposed. Davy Engineering are working with the DNR to make adjustments to said habitat with the intent to not remodel the stream flow. Approval is expected to happen in the next couple of weeks.
Stockman reiterated that the 10 projects for WQT is expected to cost $208,000. That does not include engineering fees, permits or administrative costs. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will be covering the costs of three of those project sites, making the village’s cost lower. The village would still need to have 10 percent contingency built into the cost. Even though NRCS is paying for those projects, the village will still get those credits at their WWTP.
Clerk-treasurer Holly DeWitt stated she would be meeting with Rural Development in late-April to discuss costs for the pre-planning process but not any of the WQT type of funding. The village is unaware of what it will actually cost them to complete these projects. Davy Engineering will be bidding out the WQT projects as soon as the adjustments to the H&H study are approved by the DNR.
The WQT projects being covered by NRCS will be beginning sometime in April. Credits from all of the projects has been preestablished. Public Works Director Jerry Doescher didn’t have the amount of credits at the board meeting.
The board was concerned about how much money this would cost since they didn’t even know what amount of money they should asked the bank for when getting a loan. The village has to have money available before any of the projects can begin. The H&H study has taken long than expected. The WWTP is expected to be upgraded by March 2027, which is now less than a year away. The plans for upgrading the WWTP will have to be reconfigured since the village was able to figure out their large infiltration issue. That was sorted out after Tri-State Directional Drilling was able to find a large inflow of water into the WWTP. Things have been readjusted and the numbers are finally consistent. The village board was hoping to find out more information at an online meeting on Thursday last week.
Amazing Auto Sales
Amazing Auto Sales is still in operation. The land owner has changed but the same person is operating the business. According to the village attorney, the conditional use permit stays with the land so the permit is not limited to the prior person listed on the permit. The new owner can operate as long as they comply. The board talked about possibly tying the permit to the person instead of the building or land. The board discussed concerns that someone may still be living at the business. They will contact the person from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) to follow up with the business to make sure there is no one living there and they are operating according to the rules and regulations of the DOT.
Reports
The LED lights were installed in the village hall/Legion building recently. The quote was for around $6,000 but ended up costing only $3,045. The village used funds from the Blanchardville/Hollandale Area Fund.
The board is aware of the retaining wall that is collapsing along STH 39 but are waiting to see what is happening with the TDAP grant for the sidewalk portion of the County K project that already took place.
De Witt talked with the Hollandale Homemakers about wood chips at the park playground. They received a quote for $1,698. They also received a $1,000 donation from the Pec Valley ATV club toward the wood chips so the Homemakers only have to come up with the $698. The village will pay for the wood chips and these donations will cover the full cost.
The steps at the library are cracked and crumbling. The pads are still holding together. They won’t last another winter but will be functional for the summer. The board felt the Library Committee should come to the May meeting so all of the structural issues at the library can be discussed to figure out the best way to utilize the building or what are the next steps.
DeWitt is continuing to work on the Garthwaite property and the alleyway between the land.
Doescher asked the board to consider allowing him to purchase the land behind his shop on School Street. There is a small parcel that is owned by the village that butts up against School Street next to Pepper’s property. It will be discussed at next month’s meeting.
The cooler door at the concessions stand has been fixed.
Spring dumpster is April 25 from 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. This also includes electronics.
The fireworks contract with Boom Boom fireworks was approved.