Construction project woes continue in Arena

by Linda Schwanke

Ongoing issues with construction on Sharon Street in Arena continue. At the October Arena Village Board meeting, trustees Melissa Bandell, Brittany Carney, Jim Doerflinger, Tami Erspamer, Kristen Shea, Kathy Stoltz and village president Kate Reimann learned that JI Construction is still having problems with dewatering. The company has been using their own staff, but the level of expertise needed has made it difficult. The company also didn’t expect the geological conditions they ran into. 

A dewatering firm has been hired to dry up the ground so installation of the sewer main can be completed, which is expect by the end of the month with abandoning the South Street lift station with full flow to Pine lift station set to be done by the end of December. JI submitted a revised schedule for the next 14 weeks and now plans to complete the project next year. They will be submitting a change order for a time extension for  paving. 

MSA, the village engineering firm, encouraged the board to consider and approve the request as long as no additional costs are incurred. This will allow the ground time to solidify over the freeze/thaw cycle for longer lasting pavement. 

The Clean Water Fund Loan (CWF) that is being used to fund the project includes all costs and an additional 4.7 percent contingency for any unforeseen contract conditions. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will not cover costs that exceed the contract amount unless an amendment is approved. 

An MG&E gas line issue is also ongoing. MG&E was resistant to relocating the gas main even though JI had made the relocation request last March. MG&E made a couple of relocations to their lines but not the main one. As JI continued to work around the gas line, MG&E sent a letter informing them they were not allowed to work until the main was moved. MG&E, MSA, the village and attorneys had correspondence to get the matter resolved. MSA passed on the perception that infrastructure costs money and MG&E didn’t want to spend money on it. As a result, the main is now being moved to the north side of the street.

Andy Zimmer and Zach Adams of MSA updated the board on the Well #2 project, which is going as scheduled. The exterior block for the well house is scheduled to be finished in the next two weeks, depending on weather, the well pump will be set inside and then trusses will be put up at the end of November. 

The board reviewed the 2024 proposed budget. The public budget hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, November 7.

Among items considered in the budget was the need for a public works truck estimated at $80,000. The board put $30,000 into the capital fund for it. The compensation package was added to with a stipend of $500/month.  The Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) has an increase of .1 percent for the coming year for general employees and, for police, an increase of 1.2 percent. 

In the fire/EMT portion of the budget, plans are to fund two full time EMTs at 40 percent and a third to be paid by billables for services. An increase of $2,884 for fire and $9,513 for EMS is planned. 

The village board noted that the fire board questioned billing for hydrant usage, have only been billed for water in the past. They asked for more information on the hydrant charge and to have the village eliminate the $30 fee from any future billings. 

Village clerk-treasurer DaNean Naeger explained that the village is regulated by the Public Service Commission (PSC). Village taxpayers pay $56,000 in hydrant rental. Township residents who get water from the hydrants should be billed for that use of hydrants, since they don’t pay taxes for them. The clerk gave the rates which state there is a $30 service charge for each time the hydrant is used for water taken for outside of the village use to the fire board. Per agreement, the village sets hydrant use fee and the fire board is charged only for water taken from the hydrant for use outside of the village and not for training. The amount of water used is written down and used on a monthly basis for billing, the PSC and DNR reports. 

The board accepted the resignation of public works director Andy Bauer, promoting Richard Meili to the position for a salary of $45,760. 

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) was given a temporary limited easement Highway 14 to allow the state to install a culvert.

Trick or Treat hours on Halloween, Tuesday, October 31, were set for 4 to 7 p.m. Seconded by Erspamer. Motion carried. 

A Class “B” Beer License original for Amarsons Inc. (Arena Food Mart) was approved 4-3 pending items in building inspector inspection be fixed. Shea, Doerflinger and Carney were opposed. 

The next regular meeting of the village board is scheduled for Tuesday, November 7, at 7 p.m.