By SARAH PARKER | County Line Editor
Kendall will continue to consider enhancements at Glenwood Park, but the village’s overall financial obligations will ultimately shape the park committee’s approach, board member and park committee chair Art Keenan reported at the village board’s meeting Aug. 9.
Recently, the park committee met with Raine Gardner of MSA, the village’s engineering firm, to weigh possible park upgrades. At one time, the committee decided to focus just on the playground area at the start of the project, but it has since expanded its scope to include the ballpark and pavilion area, as a larger undertaking would be more likely to qualify for grant funding, Keenan said.
The village could apply for a Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Grant, which would be a 100-percent matching grant, though a limited amount of in-kind labor could be used toward the village’s contribution.
But the village has faced significant infrastructure projects in its recent history, including a new $7.4 million wastewater treatment plant in 2019. The village’s other obligations could hamper spending on the park, which was severely damaged in the August 2018 flood.
“Until we get some of our debt paid down, we’re not going to make certain commitments of our finances at this point,” Keenan said. “I hate to stick a pin in the balloon.”
Before Kendall could apply for a Stewardship Grant, it would need to have a Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, which MSA could draft for $10,000, Keenan said. Another possibility is to attach Kendall’s plan to Monroe County’s plan, but the village has learned that the county plan possibly is out of date.
Andy Zimmer of MSA noted that the Village of Oakdale also is working toward a large-scale park project, and that might compel the county to update its own plan to make possible the two villages’ projects. That process may take some time, though, Zimmer added.
Keenan said, “If it’s a year down the road, it’s a year down the road. We’ve been struggling with this since 2018.”
The park committee also may attempt to create its own Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, and then work with MSA only on the Stewardship Grant process.
Keenan emphasized that if the village does apply for a sizable Stewardship Grant of, say, $100,000, significant community support would be needed to make up the matching funds.
“There has to be a pretty major commitment by all of us users of the park.”
Buswell, Keenan spar over FEMA buyouts
Kendall resident Craig Buswell criticized the board, saying it had wrongly allowed owners of four residential properties severely damaged in the August 2018 flood to obtain FEMA buyouts.
Buyouts are approved by FEMA, not by the Village of Kendall. Village government has little control over the final fate of the properties; those decisions lie with the property owners, all of whom have decided they would prefer buyouts. And once an owner agrees to buyout, the affected property must be demolished and the land must remain open green space, according to federal law. The Village of Kendall is not allowed to sell the property.
“I have no personal animosity to anyone on the board,” Buswell said. “You’re all fine people. But I have some real strong issues over decisions where the village board and FEMA have been complicit. I don’t understand where we would give money to people for a get-out-of-Kendall-free card.”
Buswell noted that he had contacted U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin’s and U.S. Rep. Ron Kind’s offices regarding the matter.
The village should have fought FEMA, Buswell said, and, instead of allowing buyouts, should have insisted on a dry dam at Lydon Valley, from which much of the floodwater flows, he maintained.
Buswell added that he had served 28 years on the village board and six years on the Monroe County Board. “I’m not exactly new to this and new to ideas,” he said. “I think I would ask the board to start being proactive, which you’re not, and if you don’t feel like you want to do anything, or this is all you can put forward in your effort, maybe you should resign or maybe even be recalled.”
Keenan replied that “28 years of neglect” resulted in a costly wastewater treatment plant project because water and sewer rates had not been raised, plus the village had faced putting in a new water tower and now is working toward putting in a new well No. 2. “The DNR has been on us for 10–12 years.”
He added, “What most of this board has done is inherit the sins of the past, and we have to work with FEMA, with the DNR, with the county. I take exception in asking people to resign or be recalled. Should you want to start a recall campaign, that is your right as a citizen. And I would defend your right as a citizen.”
Buswell replied, “I hope that never happens.”
Other business
• The board agreed not to install electrical service across the Baraboo River at Glenwood Park. The aerial service had been destroyed in the August 2018 flood, and though the electrical had been trenched under the river, it would cost $2,000 to $5,000 to finish the project.
The Kendall Mustang Riders had made the request in advance of its tractor pull set for Sept. 11. No tractor pulls have been offered on spot since the August 2018 flood.
However, the village may install solar lights at the Kendall American Legion memorial.
• The village will sell a lot at 215 Glendale Road that it bought from Monroe County for $1 in August 2020. The county had acquired it for back taxes. For more information on the sale, see an advertisement on page 8.
• The board approved picnic licenses for the following events: Kendall Fire Department Corn Bust, Friday, Sept. 3; Community Club of Kendall’s Kendall Fest, Friday, Sept. 3, to Saturday, Sept. 5; and Kendall Mustang Riders’ Tractor Pull, Saturday, Sept. 11.
• The board approved an operator’s license for Melinda Wangen, who works at Hidden Inn.