No
doubt if anyone of us suddenly received an approximately $220K
windfall we would be both ecstatic and energized to build that deck
complete with hot tub and any other multiple home improvement
projects that have been on our wish list forever. In municipal
spending terms, however, it amounts to, essentially, pennies from
heaven. But since they're ours to spend as we see fit here is how we
allocated the first $109 thousand:
In my dreams
2021 disbursement
$5,482.00: Donation to the Chetek Area Ambulance Commission (CAAS)*
$9,317.00: Purchasing a sound system for council chambers
$24,200.00: Municipal parking lot behind Home Town
Nearly done
Pharmacy**$58,000.00 Boat landing improvements to be done in 2023***
$7,945.00: Rip-rap for both the Stout and Mound Street docks
* This was a request by the CAAS to all participating townships. The common council decided to allocate 5% of each disbursement for the purchase of new equipment for the CAAS. This money has been set aside and as soon as these items have been ordered we will forward the money to them.
** Technically, this project is not yet complete. The parking lot has been formed and paved but we ran out of weather before parking lines could be painted. These will be painted in the spring of 2023 and money from the first ARP installment has been set aside for this purpose.
*** The boat landing located where the Hydroflites perform is in need of serious improvements that will be done in 2023. This money has been set aside for this project.
If you do the math, that leaves $4,696.31 left which we are allowed to carry over to this year.
Last Tuesday night at a special meeting the council decided to allocate this year's disbursement in the following manner:
2022 disbursement
$5,482.00: Donation to the Chetek Area Ambulance Commission (CAAS)*
$5,000.00: To purchase/build a shed for the attendant at the compost site.
$24,999.00: For sidewalk replacement in the downtown business
Since 2017, the council has designated
funds annually to replace old and
deteriorating sidewalks in the downtown
business district
district**$10,000.00: For the re-surfacing of the airport runway***
$15,000.00: For handicap access doors at both The Center and The Calhoun Memorial Library****
$10,000.00: For the purchase of new holiday décor for the downtown business district.
$5,000.00: Toward the development of a new athletic complex at Gotham Park*****
$5,000.00: Toward the purchase of a new downtown wireless sound system******
First, it should be clear that these are approximate numbers and with the exception of the handicap doors for The Center, no bidding has yet been done. Otherwise here are some explanations:
* As stated above, we will allocate 5% of the second disbursement for the purchase of new equipment for the CAAS. This money has been “ear-marked” for just that purpose and as soon as the CAAS has a purchase order we will forward the money to them.
** Every year since 2017, the council has set aside money in our annual budget toward the replacement of old and deteriorating sidewalks in the downtown business district. Unfortunately, we were not able to do that for the 2023 budget. Instead, the council has allocated money from the ARP for this purpose.
It needs serious attention. If not now, the bill will
come due later.
*** Our runway at the airport is in need of serious improvement. At November's meeting the council voted to appeal to the State for funds for a “stop-gap” procedure that would involve filling cracks and such. This money is designated for this project should the State approve our request.
**** Neither The Center or the Calhoun Memorial Library have handicap accessible doors. The council voted to change that by replacing the entry door at the library as well as enhancing the First Street entrance at The Center as well as the entrance from the alley where parking is allowed.
***** For twenty years there has been talk of developing Gotham Park (across from Philips Park) into an athletic complex that could be the site of future basketball courts and/or a softball field and/or tennis/pickleball courts. This money has been allocated to hire the services of a mechanical engineer to give us a potential site map that would include water, lights, parking information as well as what could feasibly fit at this complex.
****** Following the very successful Santa Comes to Town event (complete with holiday parade) the council has designated money toward the potential purchase of a downtown sound system. This money is contingent on community groups raising the remaining funds needed for installing such a system.
If the math is correct that comes to a total of $80,481 leaving us well shy of the $109,640.31 (not including the nearly $4,700 carry-over from 2021). That leaves approximately $34K to work with. There's a reason behind that. Mainly, we don't know what the hard figures will end up as so wisdom is to leave the balance alone for the time being. Things being what they are we may be in for some sticker-shock when it comes right down to it. But here's hoping we'll be close.
On the main, if you peruse the list, I think you'll see that there is a trend to use these monies as what they really are: a windfall that hopefully will benefit the lives of the people who live here and call this place home as well as the many folks who live among us during the warmer months of the calendar year.
