The New Glarus Village Board met on October 18, 2016.

Sandy Blum, of the Friends of the Chalet, was in attendance to discuss trustee questions on the Chalet’s 2017 budget request. There were a few changes from the 2016 budget including the purchase of new brochures estimated at $1,000 and pest control estimated at $300.

Following a discussion the board approved the budget request for 2017.

In an earlier meeting, the board had requested that the New Glarus Fire Department attend to discuss the department’s plans for the expansion of the fire station.

The board had already approved the operational budget for the Fire Department. John Ott, Brad Beal, and Ron Erickson, of the New Glarus Fire District, were on hand to discuss the expansion.

Fire District President John Ott told the board that they do not have drawings or plans yet. He said they have held off so that they can get donations together before having to pay for plans that would need state approval.

The expanded space at the fire station would be used for training and offices, and include an extra bay.

The estimated cost of the expansion is $350,000. Of that amount, Brad Beal said there is $150,000 in the bank. The municipalities are being asked to come up with $100,000 over the next two years. The Village of New Glarus’ portion of that amount is $20,007.30 in each year. The remaining $100,000 would come from “sweat equity,” according to Beal, with Department members donating time and expertise.

The fire department plans to continue fundraising and in the event that that the money from the municipalities isn’t needed, it will be returned.

Ott also told the board that they would like to break ground on the project in the fall of 2017.

Fire District Treasurer Ron Erickson said that originally the Fire District was going to replace one of the fire engines in 2017. Due to the expansion plans, the Fire District has decided to put off buying a new engine until 2019 or 2020.

Following a discussion, the board approved a motion that the village would commit an amount not to exceed $40,014.60, or amount as adjusted by the new equalized value (at the time of the project), whichever is less. The money would be delivered to the Fire District upon request no later than the last construction draw for the Fire District addition, subject to a 90-day notice.

The Village Board will hold a public hearing on the 2017 Village Budget on November 15, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. in the Village Hall Boardroom.