By KAREN PARKER | County Line Publisher Emerita
Though it may seem that Ontario’s recovery from the 2018 flood has moved slowly, progress may be just around the corner, according to discussions at Monday night’s Ontario Village Board meeting.
Three projects appear to be moving forward. Final approval by FEMA for a new pavilion, which will be built on the site of the now-demolished Ontario Community Hall, is expected this month. Board president Mark Smith proposed seeking bids for the project as soon as that is received, instead of waiting for another board meeting. The project is expected to cost $92,000. The board is under some pressure, as otherwise it will cost the Ontario Community Club $2,500 to rent a tent for July 4 festivities.
In addition, bids will also be sought to add a 40-by-82-foot addition to the former Ontario Elementary School gymnasium, now renovated as a replacement community hall. Fifth Avenue Design will draw plans for the project for $7,500.
That also awaits FEMA approval, as FEMA funds will be used to raze the grade school. That project was awarded to Gerke last month. Smith told the board that Habitat for Humanity will salvage the woodwork from the structure.
Clerk Terri Taylor noted she had just received word that Ontario had been awarded a Community Development Block Grant to build a seven-unit apartment building on schoolhouse hill. The project will be handled by Community Development Associates of Prairie du Chien, Wis., and will be dependent on the completion of water, sewer and streets on the 7-acre site.
Other business
• Although about 15 people attended the meeting, few offered any comments on the agenda until the subject of Jose’s Food Trucks of Baraboo, Wis., came up. Trustee Sue Rego said the Wildcat Mountain Bar & Grill (owned by Jennifer Popp) was not pleased that the food truck parked at Palen Park, just a half block from her business. Board president Mark Smith noted that the bar had no particular right to that area and that it was space traditionally used by vendors during special events. But some in the audience disagreed, pointing out that Popp was a taxpayer and one of the few businesses that Ontario has.
Jose’s Food Trucks pays $1,200 a year for a vendor license, while Popp pays $1,860 in property taxes.
However, on further examination of the vendor contract, it did appear the village could specify where the business could set up. The result was that Jose’s Food Trucks will be asked to set up on the street in front of the Firemen’s Park shelter on the one day a month he comes to Ontario.
• Sue Rego was chosen to complete the term of Jamie DeWitt, who had resigned from the board after moving out of town. Rego ran as an incumbent in this month’s village board election but was not elected.
• Ontario residents will see a water/sewer hike this year. Water will increase by 4.5%, while sewer will jump from $12.90 per 1,000 gallons to $17.99.
• On another note, every committee member will be paid $30 a meeting. Right now, only board members are reimbursed. Also, the board president salary will change from $1,200 per year to $100 a meeting, and the position also will pay $30 for committee meetings. Currently, there are many meetings related to flood recovery that could be reimbursed by FEMA but have not been because the position is paid by yearly salary, not per meeting. The changes cannot take place until after the 2023 election.
• Julie Hoel of rural Ontario will be contacted about the tables in Firemen’s Park. They are brightly painted electric cable spools that are starting to deteriorate. Hoel donated them to be used for people wishing to connect to Wi-Fi. The Ontario Community Club is no longer supplying Wi-Fi, and the tables are in danger of deteriorating.
• Clerk Taylor noted that the Bank of Ontario was interested in creating a memorial park on the vacant lot next to the bank. The park would be a tribute to the late Leo Woods and the late Dave Crowe, as well as to Dick Del Medico of Ontario, etc. Since it is private property and does not include a structure, most of the board members did not see any objection.
However, trustee Doug Broxham asked for a sketch of the project.
