Post Messenger Recorder -

The New Glarus Village Board met on November 17, 2020, remotely via Zoom.

The board took up the question of rescinding the permit for Christkindli Market. There were two agenda items, one to rescind the permit, and one to change the location of the event. Before being able to vote on the location, the board would have to rescind the original permit.

During the Public Comment section, Deb Anderegg of the Glarner Stube noted that having the street closed would cause problems for their restaurant. She said that with the pandemic, 70% of their business is carryout.

The board approved rescinding the original permit for the event.

The board then discussed the current situation with the current pandemic situation.

Bekah Stauffacher, from the New Glarus Chamber of Commerce, said that the Chamber’s Board of Directors had met and had wanted to go ahead with the event and its marketing. She added that the Chamber felt that the holiday season could be the deciding factor for some local businesses.

Board members discussed the event, and noted that the current health emergency is worse than it was in October when the permit was originally approved.

Village Board President Roger Truttmann commented that while he believed that the Christkindli Market would be great for the Village, 2020 is just not the year for it.

Trustee Mike Bell added that he wanted to encourage everyone to support local businesses and asked the board to think of options to assist local businesses that may be struggling.

Since earlier the board had rescinded the permit, no further action needed to be taken in the matter.

The board also approved adoption of an ordinance regulating wireless telecommunications facilities in the right of way. The ordinance was originally drafted earlier this year by the Municipal Electric Utilities of Wisconsin (MEUW). Its purpose is to provide the Village with a process for managing, and uniform standards for acting upon, requests for the placement of wireless telecommunications facility within the right of way. The ordinance provides the Village with a process to regulate wireless telecommunications facility within existing right of ways.

In the Public Works report, Village Administrator Drake Daily said that the Public Works Committee had received a letter notifying them that Building Inspector Mike Fenley intends to retire on December 31, 2020. The letter informed the board that Scott Jelle is designated to take over for Fenley, and that Fenley will continue to remain on part-time.

The board approved a reimbursement resolution for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Capitol Improvement Project. This resolution allows the Village to reimburse itself for costs incurred prior to securing borrowed funds. The Village does not anticipate borrowing funds until late 2023 or 2024.

In the Fire District Committee Report, Trustee Tammy Newberry said that the District Board is making progress on a 30-year agreement with member municipalities. She also noted that the fire department enjoyed their participation in the Halloween Parade and the distribution of bags of treats.

During his President’s Report, Roger Truttmann reminded the board that three trustee’s terms would be up in April 2021. Those trustees are Mike Bell, Mike Ganshert and Peggy Kruse. Truttmann’s term is also up in April 2021. Candidates can begin obtaining signatures December 1, 2020.

The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.