The August Community Meetings to review progress of the Burnett County Comprehensive Plan will be held this week. The first is scheduled for Wednesday August 26 at the Great Lakes Visitor Center from 6-8 pm. The second is Thursday at the Town of Grand View, same time.

The Burnett County Comprehensive Plan Committee will meet on August 31 at the Courthouse from 1-3 pm.

According to the Chetek Alert... Longtime Chetek Chamber of Commerce members Butch and Barb Flor, right, were recognized ... for their 35 years as cochairmen of beer sales for the Liberty Fest.

August GAD Report

Barron County

Barron County Administrator Duane Hebert gave some parting thoughts to the County Board. After considering many options in a 22-7 vote it was decided to replace Mr. Hebert with another County Administrator.

The Chetek City Council is discussing withdrawing support from the Barron County Economic Development Corporation. Presently the City of Chetek pays $3505 toward the $69,000 salary of Barron County Economic Development Director David Miller. This decision will come soon during the 2010 budget process.

The Chetek and Weyerhaeuser area school boards voted unanimously to approve a resolution to consider consolidation-making them one step closer to approving a merger between the two school districts.

Bayfield County

The Bayfield Comprehensive Planning process marches on. Recently two Open Houses were held to facilitate public input into mapping possible future land use. SEH Project Manager Mike Darrow stated, "It is important for people to look at land use and make comments. We need citizen input. We have four months remaining." The next step in the planning process includes another set of open house meetings in August. In September, SEH plans to start producing draft plans for each town based on the policies the towns have created.

Burnett County

The next meeting of the Burnett County Comprehensive Planning Committee is scheduled for Monday August 31 at 1:00 pm. Four months to go and counting ...
The Rusk County Comprehensive Planning Committee has not met this year. Four months to go and counting ...

The Chetek and Weyerhaeuser area school boards voted unanimously to approve a resolution to consider consolidation-making them one step closer to approving a merger between the two school districts.

Sawyer County

The Sawyer County Zoning Committee will be discussing on August 21 both the sign ordinance and point of sale septic inspections. The RANWW has developed positions on both of these issues. No changes will be made at this meeting as it is not a Public Hearing. But, it could be a great discussion!

The Sawyer County Comprehensive Planning Committee has no new meetings scheduled at this time. Four months to go and counting ...

Washburn County

The Executive Committee will forward a resolution to the full board on a moratorium for constructing new wind mills. Two bills are before state legislators that would name the Public Service Commission (PSC) as the siting agency for wind generators in Wisconsin, a move that would replace a patchwork of local and county ordinances around the state. The intention is the Washburn County moratorium would stay in effect until a law had been passed by the state Legislature. Supposedly, two other counties already have passed similar moratoriums.

The Executive Committee will also place on the County Board agenda and item "requesting" all organizations receiving county funds to follow Wisconsin's open meetings and records law. This is due to action by the Economic Development Committee. The Spooner Advocate reported this exchange between committee members. Michael "Don" Quinton, a county supervisor and committee member, said the word "request" would suggest it is optional. "We request that they do or funding may be withheld," responded County Board Chairman Mike Bobin.
Rusk County

Barron County Administrator Duane Hebert gave some parting thoughts to the County Board. The Barron New-Shield reports ... In a 22-7 vote it was decided to replace Mr. Hebert with another County Administrator.

The Bayfield County Comprehensive Planning Committee will be holding two Open House Meetings this week. The first at the Town of Bell Community Center (Wednesday) and then the Cable Town Hall (Thursday). Both start with BBQ at 5:00 followed by the Public Presentation at 6:00 pm.

The Washburn County Zoning Committee has added to their July 28 agenda " Discussion on possible moratorium/resolution/ordinance for wind towers."

Bayfield County Comprehensive Planning Committee has scheduled two new Community Open House sessions. The first will be held at the Town of Bell Community Center on July 29. In an effort to bribe participation at BBQ will be held prior to the meeting. The BBQ is from 5-6 with the Public Meeting beginning at 6 pm. The next night July 30, at the same times the gathering will be held at the Town of Grandview Town Hall. See you there?

The Sawyer County Zoning Committee discussed point of sale inspections for septic systems at their meeting on June 19. Actually the issue was only talked about in passing. Much more time was spent on the failures of the Carmody program which tracks septic inspections. The data base is so bad that reminder cards have not been sent for over a year. The county is in danger of losing the Wisconsin Fund program which pays for septic replacement based on need. The committee members were not aware of the seriousness of the problem. Further discussion of septic system registration will be on the August agenda.

June Monthly Report

Barron County

Barron County Administrator Duane Hebert has resigned to accept an offer from Winona County, MN. The Executive Committee is now discussing what should happen next. The options include hiring a new County Administrator, election of a County Executive, hire a County Coordinator or go back to Committee system.

Barron County held the first meeting of a Recreation Work Group. This committee is looking at upgrading county owned parks, trails, shooting ranges, boat landings and other county owned property. A lengthy discussion also centered on the county's total lack of tourism promotion. When asked if I had any comments I stated "Realtors are interested in tourism and recreation promotion because it brings in new potential buyers." The committee plans on meeting, at minimum, on a monthly basis.

The Chetek and Weyerhaeuser-area school boards voted unanimously to approve a resolution to consider consolidation-making them one step closer to approving a merger between the two school districts.

Bayfield County

According to the last Bayfield County Comprehensive Planning Agenda, meetings were scheduled for June 23 and 24. However, I find no agendas posted on the website. I assume they have been cancelled. Considering their last meetings concerned land use questions, it may be taking some time developing answers.

Burnett County

The Burnett County Comprehensive Planning Committee covered a lot of ground this month. They insist they are on target to have the plan approved by January 1. They have a Northern Cluster meeting to update citizens scheduled for June 22 from 6-9 pm at the Government Center. The Southern Cluster meeting is June 23 at the same time and place. Feel free to attend either meeting. The next meeting of the Comprehensive Planning Committee is July 6.

Rusk County

The Chetek and Weyerhaeuser area school boards voted unanimously to approve a resolution to consider consolidation-making them one step closer to approving a merger between the two school districts.

Sawyer County

The Sawyer County Zoning Committee agenda for June 19 lists ... Continued discussion on septic system inspection at time of sale and discussion on the Carmody program and enforcement of the pumping requirements. The saga will continue.
In a Letter to the Editor of the Sawyer County Record, the Sawyer County Lakes Forum is urging the Sawyer County Zoning Committee to get tough on non registered and failing septic systems without using point of sale as a trigger. This is the same position urged by the Realtors® Association of Northwestern Wisconsin.

Washburn County

The Spooner Advocate has been asking the Washburn County Economic Development Corporation for justification of not allowing the public to participate in their meetings. The entire article can be found here. (Free registration required to read entire article.) Washburn County Economic Development Corporation (WCEDC) President Chuck Jenkins responded to some questions in an Open Letter to the public here.

Other Information

The Wisconsin DNR Board is expected to vote on new Shoreland Regulations (NR 115) at their June 24 meeting. Basic outline of changes can be found here. Unlike past proposed changes these changes are not expected to meet with major opposition. New impervious standards are the most controversial with the elimination of the 50% rule being the most welcomed.

The Wisconsin DNR Board is expected to vote on new Shoreland Regulations (NR 115) at their June 24 meeting. Basic outline of changes can be found here. Unlike past proposed changes these changes are not expected to meet with major opposition. New impervious standards are the most controversial with the elimination of the 50% rule being the most welcomed.