Norwalk to consider rules on backyard chickens Sept. 9

By CHRIS GOUGH | For the County Line

A public-information meeting on the possibility of Norwalk residents keeping chickens is set for 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, Norwalk Village Board President Levi Helgren announced at the board’s meeting Aug. 13.

During a public-comment session, Kevin Hilliard of Norwalk noted that the village board had voted on residents owning chickens in the past.

“You’re correct,” Helgren replied.

Hilliard suggested that the board had once voted to allow no more than five chickens per residence, saying he was unclear why the matter was the subject of a special meeting again.

But board members were uncertain if was just a special exemption for one house or all households in the village.

The Sept. 9 meeting also will focus on plans for the village’s recently purchased property at 212 Main St.

Meeting on Hawk High Dairy set for Aug. 27

Trustee Madonna Johnson mentioned a meeting for Hawk High Dairy slated for 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27, at the village hall. Hawk High Dairy, which is in the town of Ridgeville, has applied for a permit from the DNR for a Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. The dairy proposes to raise its animal units to an amount of 2,492, up from the current 1,421 animal units. Johnson’s concerns were based on the current issue with phosphorus in the water as well as phosphorus credits for village.

Other business

• Hilliard also questioned the board regarding “who was paying the dime to have the surveyor coming to survey the library on a Sunday?” Helgren replied that he didn’t know much about it, as it was recently brought to his attention. Helgren also mentioned that he hadn’t had time to talk with the surveyor.

• Also, Hilliard was concerned that the village received only one bid for Morris Creek work by the tractor pull area. There was confusion as to the amount of time the bidding for the project was open. His main concern was centered on the allotted time that was posted in the newspapers. Board members were quick to explain that they had indeed opened up the bidding for two months, also noting that they had mistakenly made public the original bid. Even with that information out to the public, they still had only one bid proposal. Further discussion focused on the time line for completion. It was concluded with an ending date for Sept. 15, before trout spawning.

• Damian Dinger of rural Norwalk also spoke during public comments and thanked everyone for his or her help not only with the duck race and bike rodeo, but also with village cleanup, including taking care of a tree that had fallen prior to the festivities.

• There are concerns over the infestation of cockroaches at Norcrest Apartments, which provides senior housing. A resident had approached Dinger, assuming he was the village president, with concerns.

Others mentioned the amount of garbage starting to accumulate at the senior center.

Johnson mentioned an R.V. camper parked over there as well. She thought the owners were living in it, which is parked on the street. Police Chief David Jones informed her since there was no village ordinance, it was legal for them to stay, as long as they were not plugging their electric cord into a private outlet illegally or dumping grey water down the sewer.

• Public Works Director Henry Vian gave his report. He has reservations over a water line and valve at the iron filter. He is waiting on one of two bids, and he stated these repairs were “pretty urgent.” He would like to get the repairs done before winter. Due to the fact that the bids were not all in, Helgren asked for a motion to table it until the September meeting, which trustee Johnson seconded. However, the board decided that when the second bid came in, it would send it straight over to the water and sewer committee due to the necessity for repair.

• Vian proceeded to tell the board he is still waiting for bids for storm-sewer catch basins as well as culverts needing to be replaced throughout the town. There was consideration toward the budget and picking the projects that were in need of repair first.

• For the library report, it was noted that all the raffle tickets were sold and the silent auction went very well.

• Jones noted that his patrol car was in need of repairs, as the transmission will not get out of second gear. At present, the patrol car can travel at top speed of 20 miles per hour. He has taken the car to both Lars Automotive and Dinger’s. The Village of Wilton has a patrol car available to lease at 57 cents per mile, Jones added. The board will explore their options.

• One final point was raised and will be further looked into: a perceived overabundance of cars parked in front of the rental properties throughout the village, with an emphasis on the downtown area.

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