By KAREN PARKER
County Line Publisher Emeritus
Jonie Curtis of Ontario expressed dismay at Monday’s Ontario Village Board meeting at the fate of the Ontario Community Hall, something she said she was not aware of until reading about it in the County Line.
She asked the board if the agenda could be printed in the newspaper, but was told it is too expensive and it is posted in several locations.
The decision to raze the hall, according to Board President Mark Smith, was made because the damage is extensive and if the village was to take money from FEMA to repair it, the municipality would be required to take flood insurance at a cost of about $20,000 a year.
On a related note, no bids had been received to raze the structure, although there had been some inquiries. Clerk Terri Taylor said contractors want more detailed information on the tear down and they have expressed concern about any asbestos mitigation that would need to be done. Bids are due Nov. 16.
FEMA has yet to indicate what amount it would reimburse the village for the loss of the hall. In fact, despite the passage of two-plus years since the August 2018 flood, FEMA has not been forthcoming with any funds for the damaged public and private property.
Other business
• Cemetery lot prices will increase effective Jan. 1. A full lot (four graves) will increase from $1,200 to $1,400; a half lot, from $700 to $800; and single graves, from $400 to $500.
• A new sand/salt/plow truck will be purchased from Sleepy Hollow in Viroqua for $49,900. The added equipment will bring the price to $81,900. The vehicle will be financed through the state trust fund on a 10-year loan, with the first payments beginning in 2022. The village has two other loans with the trust fund, which will be paid off by then.
• A contract with Schmitz Inspections was renewed for housing inspections and building permits.
• Some minor revisions were made to the ATV ordinance, including allowance to state highways within the village where the speed limit does not exceed 35 mph.
• Jesse Stout was chosen to fill the term of trustee Travis Ford, who moved out of the village.
• With little discussion, the 2021 budget was adopted. This year’s local levy will be $144,665, a nine percent increase from last year’s figure of $132,464. The total expenditures for 2021 are set at $464,135.