Have an ice day: this year's edition of the municipal skating rink

If you've lived around here for awhile you're aware that Chetek hasn't had a municipal ice skating rink since the days they used to flood the field at the corner of Morrison and Eighth behind Roselawn Elementary. When that went away you had to drive to Rice Lake or take a shovel out onto the Chain and clear away the snow if you wanted to get your skating in.

But toward the end of 2024, inspired by how extravagantly local folks were giving toward the future Sports Complex (now complete), the Parks & Beach committee brought to the council a proposal to build a rink on the infield of Denny Overby Field. Given the board of the former Youth Center that used to meet on Knapp Street donated the money for the materials we needed, the council was only too happy to approve.

We got the green-light for the project in mid-December 2024 but by the time the materials arrived and the rink assembled it was nearly February 2025. Still we probably got about six weeks of ice before the weather warmed and the liner had to be wrapped up and stored for this year. Those of us on Parks & Beach, however, considered it a “dry-run” for the 2025-26 season. Speaking only for myself we got a lot of “attaboys and girls” from folks appreciative of the fact we were attempting to add something to the landscape of the city for those who don't ski or snowmobile.

Last year's site

By day

By night

She was pretty soupy

In the spring we did get a few complaints from some of the parents of the girls on the C-WHS softball team. They felt that all that melting water made Denny Overby Field far soupier than normal and inhibited it from drying out in time for the season opener. They probably were right but the fickleness of spring weather in these parts affects all our athletic fields use, the track included.

New season, new location

So this year, we are at a new location: 210 Water Street, the site of the former municipal basketball court right behind Denny Overby Field. According to Josh Eby, a member of Parks & Beach who took point on this project last year and this, the new location has actually given us more square footage than last year. At our request, Excel Energy installed a large spotlight on the light pole across the street from the rink giving good illumination for skating at night. The Lions Club built and donated four 8 foot benches for skaters to sit down upon to either lace up their skates or take a breather. And just before Christmas the warming house showed up courtesy of funds donated by the former youth center. Benches have already been placed within and rubber mats between the shack and the rink have been laid down.

The new spotlight installed by Excel Engery

Warming shack arrives
(submitted photo)

Benches courtesy of the Chetek Lion's Club
(submitted photo)

According to City Clerk Mark Eby, all total thus far (2025-26) $10,632.50 for this project came from the former youth center, $1,085 in private donations not including the donations in kind that have come from the Lions Club for the benches (approximately $200 in materials) as well as to Britt Hodgson from Jerry's Tree Service and Brad and Zach Ingram from Blackjack Towing & Repair who took it in hand to deliver the warming house which was purchased from Chetek Sheds and Buildings at the The Pine Lodge. Talk about many hands making light work!

Just this week all the electrics were installed inside the shack as well as the heater courtesy of TNC Electric. The ground is frozen so electricity probably won't be run to the shack until later this year. In the short term, everything will run off a battery. Next on the agenda is to spray foam the building in order for it to retain heat.

It's important to remember that all the labor thus far has been done by volunteers. Donations are still being received for the ice rink at City Hall. Future monies will be put toward adding additional lighting and other appropriate amenities for the rink.

While the Sports Complex was a much more involved project, the spirit of this endeavor is the same: generosity fueled by a sincere desire to make this town we love an even better place to live. Thank you to all have contributed thus far and for the gently used skates that have begun to show up at the warming shack. To borrow a cheesy metaphor from the skating world, have an ice day!

She needs a good polish but looking forward

to seeing more skaters enjoy the ice

2025 was the year to get stuff done

 

As we come to the close of the calendar year, we Chetek residents have a lot to be thankful for. As far as municipal projects go, 2025 has been the year to get things done.

• 

  Photo credit: Mark Peterson

  The new Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP), begun in 2024, had its ceremonial “first flush” in May. It was a wet and rainy day but for a couple of hours the new plant was open for tours. If you came you know you got free cookies to go with your education.

• 

  Photo credit Matt Hutzler

  In February, the crew from Maguire showed up and began assembling our new water tower. They put the “cherry” on top in mid-April and were laying down the base coat by the end of May.

• 

  Ground was broke at the Sports Complex at Gotham Pioneer Park on Memorial Day weekend and by Labor Day citizens were playing on the newly made pickleball and basketball courts. Through the efforts of the Chetek Pickleball Club over $220K was raised for this project. And if you've been out that way or by it you know its a beautiful addition to our city's small park system.

• 

  Photo credit: SC Swiderski

  At the end of August ground was broke for the new housing development on Knapp Street. This was a project nearly seven years in the planning and while SC Swiderski took way more trees than we ever thought they would, when it's done perhaps as many as five hundred more people will call Chetek home.

• 

  Kleve Street project

  This past fall over on Kleve Street the city's water line was moved from the north side of the street to the south side. At the same time, the old lift station at the beach – the oldest in our system – was replaced and upgraded.

• 

  The old WWTP (or what's left)

  The old WWTP, except for the big blue silo which will go out in
  the spring, was dismantled and just last week the city old stand pipe (i.e., the old water tower) came down in a day. You hardly can tell that it ever was there.

Frankly, that is A LOT of stuff to get done and represents A LOT of meetings and conversations and, at times, headaches for various department heads and council members. But stuff got done all the same. We can check these things off the list.

During the same calendar year we bid farewell to Public Works Director Dan Knapp who had faithfully served the city for twenty-eight years. We misfired on his successor but a few months ago we course-corrected and after a three-month try-out, Justin Hutzler was promoted from Interim Director to the new Director of Public Works. As a bonus, Dan agreed to come back out of retirement and serve as Justin's “flunkie” in the short term helping him become familiar with the job.

Justin Hutzler is working out just fine

Long term First Wardman Scott Bachowski was unseated by former Second Wardman Earl Grover in the Spring Election. Earl had moved into the First Ward earlier in the year vacating his Second Ward post. Fortunate for all of us Second Ward resident Trevor Dysland agreed to complete Earl's term. He has served capably there and has pulled papers to run in next Spring's election.

Photo credit: Matt Hutzler

Not to be overlooked or forgotten, after twenty-five or more years of talking about it, the Airport Committee, chaired by Trevor, voted to move off NPIAS (i.e., the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems administered by the federal government) and remain under the State's jurisdiction. And for the first time ever, we have an Airport Manager – Matt Hutzler – who in fiscal year 2026 will receive a small stipend for his efforts to help make the airport work for all parties involved.

I've served the City as mayor for nearly a decade now and frankly, by municipal standards, that is A LOT to get done in a calendar year. Our city is fortunate to be served by City Clerk Mark Eby (who in 2025 was officially sworn in as 2nd Vice President of the Wisconsin Municipal Clerks Association [WMCA] during the organization’s annual conference held in August), City Administrator-Treasurer Laura Stelzner and Deputy Treasurer Kim Bruns to navigate all the business-end of things of personnel and projects. 

l to r: Kim Bruns, Laura Stelzner and Mark Eby

Finally, I want to thank those elected officials who attend lots of meetings and are part of lots of conversations just so that the city's business can get done and get done well: Earl Grover (1^st Ward), Trevor Dysland (2^nd Ward), Terry Hight (3^rd Ward) and Thea Hemple (4^th Ward). The small monthly stipend they receive is merely an atta boy and girl for their careful and diligent work which they do because they love the place we all call home.

December 2025 Council meeting

Undeveloped trail
along the Chetek River
below the dam

2026 is a few weeks away and there's more to come. Like what? The new development on Knapp Street will continue to slowly take shape. Conversations will continue about the need to replace our aging pavilion at the beach, what to do with the new green space we now have at the site of the old WWTP, a new walking path at Gotham Park as well as along the Chetek River, and who knows? - the need to annex land surrounding our city's boundaries for all kinds of reasons yet to be hashed out – or disregarded altogether. There's always something going on and I enjoy the ongoing opportunity to be a part of it.

I'll do my best to keep you in the loop. Merry Christmas and may God bless all of us who live in and around the City of Lakes.

Badda boom, badda bing (or the long and short of it)

 It's done!

I'm sure by now you've heard the news: the Sports Complex at Gotham Pioneer Park is done! On Sunday, September 14, with over a hundred folks or more on hand, we had our ribbon cutting ceremony. Immediately afterwards, beautiful day that it was, all the pickleball courts quickly filled up and the plink-plunk of six whiffle balls on six different courts being hit back and forth could be heard. Meanwhile, various kids streamed onto the basketball courts and were shooting hoops there. The tennis court, of course, couldn't be used at the moment but quieter times during the weeks ahead await.

Even if you don't play any of these sports it does your heart good to know that those who do now have access to a place to engage in some of their avocations. The fact that they do credit goes to the perseverance and generosity of the members of the Chetek Pickleball Club, Sterling Bank, Nathaniel Hardin, Stacy Marik and so many others that helped bring an idea to life. This Sports Complex is a wonderful addition to the City of Chetek's park system and I anticipate will remain so for years to come.

Admittedly, this view looks way differently
than it did a few weeks ago

It's happening!

Three weeks ago we had the ground-breaking out at the 38-acres at the corner of Knapp and 15^th Street. Since 2017 the City has pursued developing the property that had been formerly owned by the Turkey Store. Over the past eight years we've had lots of meetings and spent lots of time honing and shaping what exactly we hope to see happen there. At long last the project has officially begun.

Already I've received a few complaints about all the trees going away. That's understandable given the fact that the property has essentially been an unofficial municipal forest for decades. But given the prospect of building living space for what could be five hundred new citizens in our community, and the tax dollars they will generate, in the long run it'll be a good thing. No municipality the size of Chetek can afford to not develop vacant land within its boundaries. Keep in mind, all communities, regardless of their size, are competing for people. If they can't find a place to move to here they will move elsewhere. That means the onus is on us to give them great reasons to make the City of Lakes their new hometown.

In last week's Chetek Alert a reader expressed concern about the environmental impact on the local wildlife these new “fancy-schmancy” homes that will be built during the next two years.

My first response actually is to say 'thank you.' Referring to them as “fancy-schmancy” as opposed to government housing for immigrants means that we must be doing better at explaining just what kind of development will be going up back there. This will not be subsidized housing. There's a place for that but not at the corner of 15^th and Knapp. These will be 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments most of which will be on a single-level with the exception of one building that will be two floors. To get a better picture of what it will look like visit SC Swiderski Chetek at the following link. SCS Chetek development

Preview of coming attractions

It's for real

All department heads hired by the city do so under a one-year probationary period. During that year, if it becomes apparent that the “shoe doesn't fit”, the City can lawfully terminate that individual's employment. Ten days ago the City chose to terminate the employment of new Public Works Director Drew Smith. I cannot speak to the specifics of the matter but after four months of service it became clear to us that a change had to be made. It just wasn't working out. I wish Drew the very best in his future endeavors.

Justin Hutzler

Last week the council had an emergency meeting and at the end of it Foreman Justin Hutzler was made Interim Public Works Director. During the various discussions in Personnel meetings that led up to our decision to switch horses, it became clear to me that there's a whole lot more involved in the DPW position than I previously understood. Therefore, in order to give Justin every possible chance to be successful in his new position, the City accepted previous Public Works Director Dan Knapp's offer to return to “active duty” and serve as Justin's assistant (to use Dan's words, “Justin's flunkie”). During the next three months he will be working with Justin helping him to learn the ropes as well as serve as an extra hand if called upon. So if you happen to see Dan drive by in one of our city trucks, you're not seeing things. He's back for the time being or at least until Justin finds his sea legs.

A whole lot of shakin' going on: what's new on all the municipal projects throughout the city

 If you've been paying attention, there's been a lot of work going on
at various places throughout the city. As we get closer to summer's end, I thought I'd bring everyone up to speed on just where we stand with each project.

The new municipal water tower

Perhaps more than anything else this summer I am asked frequently if the new tower is operational yet. The answer is 'no'. Why? Well, I'll share with you what I've been told: the company that painted the tower (both inside and out) painted the insides a bit too thickly. Apparently, it's a safety concern so they had to sandblast the thing on the inside to remove a layer or two.

Having said this, I'm told that they will begin disinfecting the tank and filling it on August 13-14. About a week later samples will be taken and pending those results we will be fully functional come August 20. I can't wait.

The Gotham Sports Complex

Construction began right around Memorial Day and has proceeded right along with no real hiccups to speak of. The asphalt and cement were laid, the fencing posts were erected and the fencing installed. On Monday, all the basketball poles and backboards were installed. The courts, both Pickleball and Basketball/Tennis, will be painted as you read this. All things are on course to be finalized in time for our September 14 ribbon-cutting. If we have a fall like last year very shortly you should hear the plink-plunk of pickleball and thumping of basketballs coming from a sports complex on City Park Drive. I can't wait.

The 38-acres/Swiderski development

from SC Swiderski-Chetek

While the earthmovers have yet to show up on the grounds of the old
breeder farm on Knapp Street, we are currently firming up plans for the ground-breaking ceremony set to occur on Tuesday, August 26 from 12-1 pm. Once they break ground, S.C. Swiderski promises to complete the project within two years. Contrary to the rumor mill this will not be low-income housing or – curiously – housing for illegal aliens. Nope. This is a 116-unit housing development, primarily rentals, that hopefully will attract new residents to our community. If you want to see the scope of it, check out the video at SCSwiderski-Chetek

Back in December, Swiderski representatives gave a presentation at the city council meeting that was reported by the Chetek Alert. According to that article, apart from the four

single-family homes the rest of the 116 units will be rentals in various floor plans generally ranging between $1,100-$1,850 per month and to include heat, water, sewer, cable, WIFI, trash removal and lawn care. I can't wait.

The old Waste Water Treatment Plant

This past spring demolition began at the old Wastewater Treatment
Plant (WWTP). If you've dropped off your recycling lately you may have noticed that that project has come to a standstill. What gives? Apparently tearing down an old WWTP is a little bit more involved than, say, tearing down most other structures. One factor that can complicate demolition is that by law, the ground on which the plant stood has to be deposited in a safe manner. I'm assured that they're working the problem and sooner than later the job will be completed. I can't wait.

Original picture courtesy of Mark Peterson
(SBR circled in red)

The new Waste Water Treatment Plant

Thought we were done with that project? Of course, we are. But a
design challenge presents itself. The Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) – the structure that is in the field immediately to the south of the plant – needs a cover for it to prevent freezing of water lines to it. This was something that our guys dealt with all last spring. Why wasn't it part of the original project? you may ask. There is a longer explanation but the short answer is the engineers didn't think we needed one. But now it appears that we do. Public Works Director Drew Smith informed the council last month that it is his recommendation that we pursue construction of such a dome over the SBR to prevent freeze-ups this coming winter. The hope is that we can go to bid sooner than later and have it covered before the real cold weather settles in. I can't wait.

While the Canadian wildfires have been the source of the unsettling haze in our air this past summer, the dust of these combined projects should be a welcome sign to us that stuff is gettin' done as Jerry Lee Lewis would put it 'cause a whole lot of shakin' is going on. And yeah, just like you, I can't wait for these things to be good and done.

Ceremonial "first flush"

Photo credit: Mark Peterson

At long last, the day has come. We are about to do the ribbon-cutting on our new Waste Water Treatment Plant. On Tuesday, May 20, Public Works Director Dan Knapp, members of the City Council and a few other notables will gather out at the new plant and witness, as it were, the ceremonial “first flush.” It's a day that has been long in the making.

Every year all municipal treatment plants get a report card as to how well they're functioning which includes what comes in (aka, “influent”) and what goes out (aka, “effluent”), including how we are filtering and processing phosphorous. And though our plant was built in 1982 we continue to score, most years, straight As. So, why, you may ask, the recent $26 million adjustment?

Former WWTP operator Mike McGinnis giving
me the tour of the old plant back in 2016

First of all, recall that the old plant was built in the last century. Its simply getting harder and harder to find spare parts. But more importantly, when it comes to phosphorous levels, measured in parts per million, the DNR moved the goal post with regards to new water quality standards. No matter what we would have tried to do with our old plant, she could never meet passing grades. And if the DNR says you shall, well,...we shall.

This was the Roberts plant visit

This was a miniature-test plant we experimented with

We decided to go with a version
similar to Bloomer's

Back in 2020, we began exploring our future Waste Water Treatment Plant by running a miniature test plant on site for a month or two as well as making a few field trips to plants in Roberts and Bloomer. Ultimately we chose to go with the sand filter version much like the plant in Bloomer. CBS² was awarded the bid in 2022 and began designing it. Of course, plans for facilities such as these can't be bought at the local Wal-Mart. It took perhaps a year to design the thing. Finally, in June 2023, the council along with a few other important folks, each turned over a gold shovel-full of dirt in the south industrial park, home of the new plant directly across from Chetek Lanes.

The ceremonial ground-breaking in June 2023

It's been a long row to hoe – especially for our Public Works Director Dan Knapp. From start to finish he's had to deal with all kinds of headaches along the way caused by supply chain issues, faulty parts and the one company in the Lower 48 that grows reeds going belly-up after the bid process had been completed. But at last, here we are. Our new plant is on-line and functioning as it was designed to function (barring a few hiccups here and there).

Photo credit Mark Peterson

Photo credit Mark Peterson

The process of finding these reeds
is truly serendipitous

We're inviting the public to an Open House on Tuesday, May 20, at the new plant to see for yourselves what you can get for $26 million dollars (minus the $10 million grant we got from the feds). From 3-6 pm Dan and some of the crew will be on hand to field questions and give guided tours. This plant is a wonderful addition to the city's infrastructure that will assist us in continuing to grow for many years to come.

Come and see for yourself on Tuesday, May 20
(Photo credit Mark Peterson)