Spring Valley: Homes scheduled for revaluation

Talk about it

Cedar Corp updates at the October Spring Valley Board meeting included news that digging would begin this month for the booster station foundation and that delivery of the station itself would be in December or January.

The wastewater treatment plant is nearing completion and a layout for Newman Avenue is to be reviewed.

The board approved Resolution 10.1.09 Approval of Final Plat for Silver Fox Run Second Addition, pending approval of one condition regarding basement elevation description.

Discussion then took place about Steve Vanasse’s unpaid personal property taxes. Taxes of $3,299 have remained unpaid since 1996. The board chose to pursue the case in conciliation court and because a corporation will bring the case, Jorv Gavic will represent the village. The board approved the motion to proceed.

A proposed 2010 contract from Bowmar Appraisal was presented as $100 less than last year. The village is scheduled for a property revaluation, due in 2011. The board can choose between a drive-by evaluation for $14,000 or a full-blown, home-by-home walk-through for $25,000. The Finance Committee will review the budget and return with a recommendation. The board approved the contract for $6,900.

Operator’s license applications: three approval recommendations and one denial.

Chief of Police Dan Burgess recommended that Kenneth Merrick’s application be denied, pending charges for operating while revoked and some past charges. He can reapply in six months.

Approval of pay requests, including health insurance, utilities, St. Croix Electric for booster station utilities down payment, and the library, among others.

Treasurer’s report for August and September, said Rita Goveronski, “no great expenses, no great windfalls.”

Police report: The mirror is up on Glade Avenue, the stencil was sent back to get sidewalk painted, all police reports were finished, a grant has been signed and delivered, next step is to order equipment and submit for reimbursement.

A new part-time officer will be hired and will start orientation on Friday.

There have been no issues at the school, but the issue of kids smoking in the car wash was ongoing. Foot patrols were expected to address the problem. There were no incidents at Dam Days except confiscation of a mortar shell launcher and a couple minor domestics.

Planning committee should be ready for approval in December. Spring Lake and Gilman came to the last meeting to compare notes.

Terry Schaefer and Mary Ducklow met with the other town members and tried to answer questions about how the new billing and budget would work.

“They are not real happy with it,” said Ducklow, “but it is what it is.” They brought up the suggestion of incorporating the fire department the same way as the ambulance (This starts in 2010.) and they only have to pay 50% of the increase in the first year. The village was absorbing the other 50% as a courtesy. The following year would be 100%, not 150% as was feared.

Dale Jacobson and Matt Huepful met as the Finance Committee and noted a $5,750 cut from state revenue. The Library Committee met twice and the administrator reported that AllTell will become Verizon Oct. 18 and an AT&T antenna is scheduled to go up in less than two weeks. A $9,000 housing grant was lost through a foreclosure.

The board then met in closed session to discuss employee reviews and later adjourned.

Tags: spring valley board meeting, communities