By KAREN PARKER
County Line Publisher Emeritus
Norwalk Village Board members tangled Tuesday over when committee meetings are appropriate and when they are not.
Trustee Madonna Johnson said she had been asking for a personnel meeting for some months to review and discuss the employee handbook.
But board president Levi Helgren argued that unless Johnson had “very specific objectives and a goal to accomplish,” such a meeting would be a waste of time.
Johnson countered that a committee meeting had been called quickly when the subject involved a block-grant loan in Helgren’s interest.
Although the two sparred for some time, and the subject would arise later in the meeting, no resolution to the issue was agreed on.
Other business
• Clerk Kerry Vian noted that the library continues to struggle with its budget and the village has not been in a position to assist. She and deputy clerk Sharon Karis are planning a “library operational fundraiser” on Saturday, May 30. The event will include a bike rodeo, kid’s games and other family-friendly activities. Vian said she is hoping this may become a regular event.
• Public works director Henry Vian informed the board that the grinder at the sewer plant might soon need to be replaced. A new one can cost upward of $10,000. Helgren suggested Vian keep it going as long as possible until the village learns what new demands would be imposed by the DNR.
• The board accepted a recommendation from the finance committee to loan $7,000 in block-grant funds to Bailey’s Diner, a Mexican restaurant located in the former Trail Café building near the Elroy-Sparta State Trail. Another $8,500 will be loaned to Vigeseo properties. Levi Helgren and his wife had purchased the old bank building and will rent it out through Airbnb. The committee had questions about loaning money to a board member, but had consulted the village attorney, who said there was not a problem. Helgren abstained from voting on the matter. Johnson cast the only no vote.
• The board approved the clerk’s request to attend training in Green Bay. Kerry Vian said it would be held at the Radisson, which is relatively expensive, and like last year, she will seek cheaper accommodations. Johnson noted the employee handbook allows $50 per night, but conceded no acceptable room could be found for that price.
“This is why we need to review the employee handbook,” Johnson noted.
“Fine, I am going, and I will pay for it myself,” Vian responded.
In the end, Helgren proposed the board ignore the handbook and cover the full cost of the trip. Only Johnson voted no.
• A conference call was held with the League of Municipality’s attorney. The board agreed to set a date to hold a public hearing regarding a portion of Main Street, north of Railroad Street. The matter relates to a long-running dispute over the former Winchel property and the boundary with the library. Johnson declined to vote on the matter.