Post Messenger Recorder -

On Monday, November 28, 2022, the Town of New Glarus held a Special Meeting for the electorate. Around 40 people attended the meeting at the Town Public Works Garage on Railroad Street, in the Village of New Glarus. The meeting was held to take a vote on the purchase of land and the borrowing of money in order to purchase the land.

Town Chairman Chris Narveson presented the plans for the purchase of approximately 99.47 acres of land located W6599 STH 39, west of the Village of New Glarus.

The board was also looking for approval to borrow 1.4 million dollars to pay for the real estate. Narveson said that the board had secured a loan at a local bank at 4% interest. Narveson said the loan should not have a negative effective on resident's property taxes, because for the first few years the Town will pay interest only on the loan. Then, in 2027, 1.9 million of the Town's debt will be paid off and this loan will replace it. The loan will be amortized for 20 years, however the Town anticipates paying it off in 10 years.

Narveson told the group that the Town is in need of a new Public Works Garage, adding that the current one that was built in 1978 is not up to code and that the poles on the west side of the building are rotting away.

Attendees of the meeting asked a number of questions, including what the remainder of the land would be used for. Narveson said that at this time they don't have firm plans, but they want to use a portion of the land as a park. He also said that the board was looking at selling the house and some acreage around it, and added that the board may develop other parts of the acreage.

When asked if the board had considered adding a Town Hall to the planned Garage, he responded that they are open to discussion on that. If that were to happen, the current Town Hall at 5th Avenue and Railroad Street in the Village of New Glarus would be sold.

Narveson noted that the current Town Garage would also be sold.

Some people complained that they felt they should have been informed earlier of the Town's plan to purchase the property. Narveson and Town Clerk John Wright said that although discussions about the negotiations for the property took place in Town Board closed sessions, the offer to purchase as well as the authorization of Chris Narveson to negotiate were shown on the meeting minutes, available publicly on the Town's website.

Eventually a motion was made for the electorate to vote on whether the Town should purchase the land in question.

Of the 40 eligible voters in attendance, 30 voted to approve the purchase and 10 voted against it.

As for the motion to borrow 1.4 million dollars, 29 voted to approve it while 10 voted against it.

The meeting was adjourned following the vote.