Have you heard the news? The glacier is moving.

 

Chetek's Hydroflites always draws a crowd

Chetek is a town that comes alive between May and September. All
the summer residents come home, the tourists arrive and between Liberty Fest, Rib Fest, Watermania and the rest, our town gets hopping. But in addition to some of these events that most of us are aware of, did you know that...

The ceremonial first shovel-full

• ...the construction of the new Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) is well under way? Back in June we officially broke ground and since then it has been quite a bee-hive of activity out there. Lots of rebar going in and lots of cement being poured. As challenging as the dry and hot weather we've had this summer has been, it's actually helped the project as only one day thus far has been lost on account of rain. There have been some hold-ups – securing the right kind of piping, for example – but the new plant is steadily forming in the south industrial park across from Whiskey Way and Chetek Lanes on Highway SS.

We began with a $20 million dollar budget with half of that coming through a federal grant. During the design phase, however, inflation kicked in and by the time we got ready to break ground our budget had ballooned to something closer to $25 million. I'm told that is to be expected during a major municipal project. That being said we're hoping there are no more suprises as the plant takes shape.

Between Second and First Streets

• ...two more sections of sidewalks have been completed?

Since 2017, the city has been committed to replacing the sidewalks throughout the Central Business District (CBD). Prior to that time the agreement was that if a business wanted to replace the sidewalk in front of their establishment, the city and the business would go 50-50 on the cost. Beginning in 2017, however, given how poor of condition many sections of sidewalk in the CBD were, the council committed themselves to a long-term project of replacing all of the sidewalks at no expense to any of the businesses. The 2023 edition replaced the sidewalks on the north side Stout Street between Second and First Streets, as well as long stretch on the east side of First Street across from The Center to the beginning of Chetek Villas (the condos on First Street). According to City Inspector Joe Atwood in the last six years 32,000 sq feet of concrete has been laid down and $224,000 has been spent on new sidewalks.

Out with the old...

• ...we bought a new water tower (or signed an agreement to build it)?

Earlier this year the council unanimously decided to go forward on building a new water tower whether or not we sign an agreement with a developer to develop the 39 acres on the west side of town (a.k.a. “Area 51”). Technically we now have a “water stand” which is essentially a real tall municipal pool with no access of approximately 450,000 gallons. In order to prevent it from freezing up during the winter, hydrants need to be kept open during the cold months. What's more several businesses in the north industrial park lack sufficient water pressure so they have need to use additional pumps in order for their plants to function normally. The bid was awarded to Maguire Iron (https://maguirewater.com/) for $1,686,100.00. Given what we thought were our projected costs that is way under what we were expecting. The agreement we have with them is that it will be completed by June 30, 2025. We expect construction to begin soon. When Cameron replaced their water stand with a traditional pedestal water tower they were able to sell theirs. We hope to do the same.

The future of "Area 51"

•...we now have a signed agreement with S.C. Swiderski (SCS) to develop the 39 acress (a.k.a. “Area 51”)?

After years of going back and forth and due diligence on their part we now have a signed agreement with S.C. Swiderski (SCS). In fact, if you go to their web site (https://www.scswiderski.com/property-locations) and click on the big light brown box that says “Future Developments” it will take you to a page that includes, among other sites, a schematic of what the 39 acres will look like when fully developed. In fact, for an animated "fly through" of the project follow this link: The future of "Area 51". While no money has exchanged hands yet (we have an agreement to sell the land to them for $1) an agreement has been signed by both parties. According to that document, SCS agrees to begin construction no later than June 2025 and have all 116 units (apartments, twin homes and single family homes) complete by 2027. All things being equal, within four years a whole lot more housing will be available within the city limits.

•...we are now in search of a new city clerk as Carmen is retiring at the end of this year?

Yes, say it with me: “Say it ain't so!” but it is. The woman who seems to never age has decided to bring to an end her 29-year relationship as a municipal employee come December 31. All our tears withstanding, we are all very happy for her and her husband, Larry. She quietly made her announcement at the Common Council meeting on August 8. The position was posted just last week and will remain open until September 15. Clearly we cannot replace her but we are confident that a competent and capable individual will apply and ultimately be hired as the new city clerk of Chetek. Our hope is to have them at City Hall no later than early November so they can shadow Carmen during her last two months on the job.

She is one in a million

Small Towns Burn A Little Slower was the name of a former indie band out of the Twin Cities. In my mind, it's a perfect sobriquet for our little town. Things happen – and are happening – but never at light speed. But I'm happy to announce that the glacier is moving folks. Better get out your lawn chairs and watch it grind through before it stops again.