 |
||||
Town of Coon Newsletter – Spring 2009
Calendar of events –
April 7 - Election Day
April 9 - Annual Meeting (7:30PM)
May 1 & 2 - Spring Clean Up (8AM to 5PM daily)
May 13 - Open Book (3PM to 6PM)
May 13 - Board of Review (7PM to 9PM)
Spring Clean Up –
You will notice that this year we are later than usual. There were a number of conflicts with earlier dates. If it goes okay maybe we will keep it a little later. By the first of May things certainly should not be froze down.
Comprehensive Plan –
By now you all should know this is something we need in place before December 31, 2009. Planning and Zoning have been making a plan that will go along with our zoning ordinance. The feeling is that our zoning should not have to change to fit the comprehensive plan. Without a comprehensive plan our zoning and planning at the town level would be taken away. This was all part of the 1999 state budget. A couple years ago the state legislature tried to eliminate it but the governor used his line item veto to restore comprehensive plans.
Local zoning is very important. Vernon County and the Town of Viroqua do not have zoning and you see what they are facing. Zoning does not assure you of keeping things out that you feel you don’t want but at least you can direct it to an area which residents may feel is more suitable.
Another part of our zoning is exclusive ag zoning. As long as your farm production meets the guidelines you do qualify for a tax refund under farmland preservation. Talk to your tax preparer or call the Vernon County Conservation at 637-5480 for information. Many years ago a local legislator told me he thought the farmland preservation was the best form of tax relief we have. The money to fund this program really comes from the bigger cities.
Fire Association News –
Adding on to the fire station has been another learning experience. Since Coon Creek Fire Fighting Association rents the building they can not do the bidding process. That has to be done by the building owner – the Village of Coon Valley. We are now working with Chris Olson from Galileo Consulting Group. In April we hope to present a plan complete with dollar estimates to the Coon Valley Village Board. If things go good by fall the addition could be in place.
A direct addition to the existing building is not possible. The roof line would not allow for enough clearance plus there are utility poles and fiber optic phone lines that would cost about $20,000 to move. The plan now is to have a walkway to a separate building just to the west of the existing fire station. We should be adding bathrooms as well. Coon Creek Fire & Rescue has seven women volunteers among their ranks and that has to be considered as well.
History of the Town of Coon –
The Town of Coon was 150 years old in 2008. We had an open house on December 13, 2008 at the town hall. There were about 30 people who attended. We have a collection of articles and photos which will be on display at various meetings throughout the year. Thank you to all who helped with the open house as well as those who provided photos and information related to our history.
Here is a paragraph from The History of Vernon County.
The Town of Coon is in the northern tier of congressional townships of Vernon County. It is bounded on the north by La Crosse County, on the east by Christiana, on the south by Jefferson, on the west by Hamburg towns, and comprises township 14, range 5, having an area of 23,040 acres. Coon river flows through the northern part of the town and has several tributaries which water the entire northern portion of the town. Coon in some places has very rough hilly surfaces. The sandy loam soil produces the finest crop of grain, corn and vegetables in this part of the state. The first settlement was effected by Norwegians in 1848 and by 1884 they owned nearly every farm within its boarders.
We still have some rough hilly surfaces, the Coon river (Coon Creek), and a few of Norwegian heritage.
Road Maintenance –
As budgets get tighter the first thing that gets cut is maintenance. In a way the Town of Coon has already done some of this in regard to our roads. When we did our seal coating program we included a five-year reseal plan. We have since backed off to a six-year reseal plan. There is going to be pressure to extend this even further. An asphalt expert once said that asphalt begins to break down at seven years. With a six-year plan you are coming back to reseal on the seventh year. If you get behind to the point of road breakups it will be very expensive to catch up.
The roads scheduled to be resealed this year are as follows – Olstad Road, Langaard Lane, Dodson Hollow Road, Zitzman Lane, Bean Lane, Stafslien Lane, Schultz Lane, Engh Court, Thompson Lane, Stendahl Lane, Engh Lane, Traastad Lane, Berger Lane, Tomten Lane, & Neprud Road. The total mileage is 8.93.
Website –
The Town Of Coon website is www.tn.coon.wi.gov. There are several ordinances on the site and a calendar. Jan Ihle keeps the information up to date for us.
New Address for the Assessor –
Our assessor Jerry Kins has moved. His new address is Jerry Kins, S8420 Oriole Drive, Eau Claire, WI 54701. His new phone number is 715-713-0081.
.
Sincerely,
Town of Coon Board
Chairman Orlan D. Bakkum – 452-3370 Supervisor Craig Storm - 634-4135
Supervisor Leon Minor – 452-3685 Treasurer Jan Ihle – 452-3548
Clerk Lorraine Bakkestuen - 452-3308 Town Shop - 634-3624
| |
||||