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July 1, 2009 Summer Town of Wheaton Newsletter
WHEATON TOWN NEWS
SUMMER 2009
AROUND THE TOWN
HALL RENTAL – The rental of the Wheaton Town Hall may be rented by anyone. The hall rental cost is $50.00 plus a $50.00 deposit. To schedule the rental of the Town Hall, please call Elmer & Mary Eckwright at 715-874-5397.
Note: You are responsible for cleaning the hall after use or your deposit will not be returned.
PARK PAVILION – Reservations: call Wayne (Bud) Beckwith at
715-874-5051.
FIREWORKS - A permit for fireworks is required for any occasion. Please contact Paul Krumenauer, Wheaton Town Chairman at least 72 hours prior to use of fireworks. The permits must be registered with the Sheriff’s Department 48 hours prior to use.
Things to know when applying for a fireworks permit:
Location and date of use,
Organization, association, family, etc
(Individuals cannot apply for a permit)
Type and quantities of fireworks
PLEASE BE CAREFUL!
TOWN BOARD MEETINGS - Monthly Wheaton town board meetings meet on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm, unless otherwise posted. Notices are posted at Loopy’s, Low Down Saloon, Eau Claire Travel Center, River Inn, Wander Inn, Wheaton Fire Station, Recycling Center & at the Town Hall. A Word from Your Town Chairman –
I often hear the statement that we should not be a zoned township. In about 1980 the state of Wisconsin mandated that inspections were necessary for new construction of homes based on the population of a township. Then in the year 2000 the statues were changed so that any new residence would need to be inspected during construction regardless of the population of the township. I believe it was sometime during this time frame that the then Wheaton Town Board voted to become a zoned township under Chippewa County zoning rules. By becoming a zoned township there are numerous advantages for the Town. A few of these advantages are: 1) The Town does not have to provide inspections for building, 2) County zoning enforces all violations, 3) If Wheaton were an unzoned township, strip clubs, salvage/junk yards, race tracks, slaughter plants, etc. could be built without any control including in residential areas. These are just a few of the advantages. Is this the perfect solution to all of the Town of Wheaton’s problems? No, but this is the best we have to work with without having several people employed through the Town. If you are interested in reading the Chippewa County Zoning Ordinance, it is available to you on the county website, which is www.co.chippewa.wi.us or stop in the Chippewa County Zoning office. The Town of Wheaton also has several ordinances that are not covered by the Chippewa County Zoning ordinances.
The Wheaton Park has gone been going through many changes this year. With a $30,000 matching grant from the Casper Foundation new playground equipment has been purchased and installed. Two new dugouts are under construction and a sprinkler system has been installed to improve the ball field. As moneys be-come available the sprinkler system will be expanded and the playing fields will be improved. Some other improvements planned for the future are a new and expanded concession stand, expanded parking area and permanent restrooms. There have been countless hours of volunteer work put into the park improvements. Make sure you check out the improvements.
Ball season is underway the Wheaton Park. This year there are seven T-Ball teams, one coach pitch team, two minor league youth baseball, and one major league youth baseball team. There are approximately 170 kids using the Wheaton Ball fields. The T-Ball tournaments are scheduled for June 26th and 27th. Please show your support by stopping by and cheering these kids on. Also, enjoy a hotdog and a soft drink.
The Wheaton Volunteer Fire Department is in need of additional firefighters. Men and women are welcomed. Please consider getting involved. Contact any firefighter or Mark Kinderman at
874-5976 for more information. We do need you! Please take time to thank a firefighter for their service to the community.
DON’T FORGET TO PAY YOUR SECOND 1/2 OF TAXES BY JULY 31, 2009 at the CHIPPEWA COUNTY TREASURER’S OFFICE IN THE CHIPPEWA COUNTY COURTHOUSE.
We have a website for the Town of Wheaton! The website address is: www.townofwheaton.com. Eventually, you will be able to view the agenda of monthly meetings, monthly meeting minutes, phone numbers and addresses for Town Board Members, calendar of events, Town ordinances, notices of coming events, forms & permits, plus other links for you to check out. Please take time to look at the website.
Ruth Fagerland will be keeping our website updated with current events and all information. If you have knowledge of our Towns past history as to how Wheaton came to be, important facts regarding past history, etc, Ruth would be happy to include this on the website. Ruth’s e-mail address is: RFagerland7373@charter.net.
Fire Numbers – With the many trips around the township I have often noticed fire numbers that are obstructed from view. Please make sure that your fire number is visible from both directions. I have mentioned this before in the newsletter and I continue to see numbers that are not visible from the roadway. The time to make the numbers visible is not after you make an emergency call.
The Town of Wheaton does not issue fire permits, but you are asked to be extremely careful, especially when it is dry or windy. You are responsible for damages resulting from a fire that gets away from you.
According to the DNR website the only garbage burning that is permitted is clean paper and clean wood. Painted or treated wood, plastic, shingles, tires or other refuse is not to be burned and should be disposed of properly.
DRIVEWAY PERMITS – Driveway permits are required for any new driveways including field driveways. Contact one of the town board members for a permit and a copy of the ordinance specifying culverts and locations.
ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY- A 33 foot setback from the centerline of the road is required. This includes fences, landscaping, and retaining walls. Also, locations of mail boxes can be an issue. If you have any questions or concerns, contact Dave Burtness or Pat Blaeser at the Wheaton Town Shop or your town board members.
ROAD CONSTRUCTION SEASON – 70th Street is scheduled to be paved in July and if things go as planned 10th Street south of Highway 29 will be paved later this summer. Also, plans underway are for 50th Avenue west of County T to be chip sealed. A new bridge will be built on 65th Avenue with construction starting in June.
Chippewa County will be rebuilding the intersection at County Highway X and F and the intersection at County Highway X and T later this summer. There will be four way stops for several weeks during construction.
This project was postponed from the 2008 construction season. Chippewa County will also be rebuilding a section of County T starting at Chippewa Valley Grain and working north to County N.
ANIMALS IN WHEATON
The Town of Wheaton dog catcher is Brian Manthey & his phone number is 715-874-5838. If owners cannot be located in a reasonable amount of time the dog is taken to the Chippewa County Humane association. Please make sure your dog has identification tags at all times.
BUILDING PERMITS – The Town of Wheaton is a zoned township which means that a building permit is required for any structures, such as new homes, additions to homes, barns, sheds, garages, decks, metal/canvas covered canopies, portable buildings, and move on buildings such as garages & sheds. There are also setback requirements not only from your property boundary lines, but also from roadways, other buildings, septic systems, & wells. Do not start any construction projects without the proper permits as after the fact fees will also be charged. In some instances it has been required to remove what has been constructed. If you have ANY questions or doubts, call the Chippewa County Zoning Office at 715-726-7940.
Starting a Home Based Business?
If you are starting a home based business you need to get a conditional use permit or variance. There are certain regulation concerning parking, sign size and location etc. Contact Bud Beckwith at 874-5051 and also the Chippewa County Zoning office for further information. You will need to meet with the Wheaton Parks and Planning Commission. After approval at the Parks and Planning meeting you will need to meet with the
Town Board and then the Chippewa County Planning and Zoning Board.
CEMETERIES -The Town of
Wheaton maintains two cemeteries.
If you are in need of information about the cemeteries or need to purchase cemetery plots call Helene Anderson at 874-5207.
RECYCLING CENTER
Hours are:
Mondays: 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Wednesdays: 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Saturdays: 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.
The Recycling Center will be closed on
On the following holidays: Saturday July 4th and Monday September 7th for Labor Day
As of January 1, 2009 the blue garbage bags price was increased to $3.00 each and demolition material fee is $30.00 per level pickup load.
Acceptable Material:
• Household garbage in the blue bags
• #1 & #2 plastics
• Cardboard, paper, & magazines
• Metal (copper, aluminum, steel & iron)
• Glass bottles
• Demolition material & furniture (nominal fee)
• Appliances (nominal fee)
• Tires (nominal fee)
• No hazardous materials
Before unloading, please ask attendant what & where each item is to be dropped off.
Mark your calendar now for the Chippewa County Fall Household Hazardous Waste Clean Sweep on October 3rd at the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds.
Remember when you recycle, you are doing it for your children and grandchildren and their future.
What to do with waste oil?
So you just changed the oil on your car or lawn mower. Now you need to dispose of the oil. Blodgett’s Service and Repair located at 5850 50th Street will now accept used engine oil. Please do not contaminate oil with paints, chemicals or anti freeze. Containers of 5 gallons or smaller are preferred. Oil can be dropped off during regular business hours 8:00a.m. To 5:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday. If you have questions please call 715-874-5950.
TOWN BOARD MEMBERS
Paul Krumenauer, Chair 874-6805
Bud Beckwith, Supervisor 874-5051
Ken Custer, Supervisor 874-6591
Alan Solberg, Supervisor 874-5798
Robert Sworski, Supervisor 723-5457
Mark Christenson, Clerk 874-6612
Ruth Fagerland, Treasurer 861-3933
Allen Balsiger, Assessor 382-4730
NOTE:
. There are some residents in the Town of Wheaton who are not on the property tax roll, which is where we get our addresses from. If you are a landlord please share this newsletter with your tenants. Also, please contact Mark Christenson/Clerk with names and addresses so they can receive future newsletters.
On recommendation of the consultant for the Comprehensive Plan the Right to Farm statue is listed below.
823.08 Actions against agricultural uses. (1) Legislative purpose. The legislature finds that development in rural areas and changes in agricultural technology, practices and scale of operation have increasingly tended to create conflicts between agricultural and other uses of land. The legislature believes that, to the extent possible consistent with good public policy, the law should not hamper agricultural production or the use of modern agricultural technology. The legislature therefore deems it in the best interest of the state to establish limits on the remedies available in those conflicts which reach the judicial system. The legislature further asserts its belief that local units of government, through the exercise of their zoning power, can best prevent such conflicts from arising in the future, and the legislature urges local units of government to use their zoning power accordingly. (2) Definitions. In this section:
(a) “Agricultural practice” means any activity associated with an agricultural use.
(b) “Agricultural use” has the meaning given in s. 91.01 (1).
(3) Nuisance Actions. (a) An agricultural use or an agricultural practice many not be found to be a nuisance if all of the following apply:
1. The agricultural use or agricultural practice alleged to be a nuisance is conducted on, or on a public right-of-way adjacent to, land that was in agricultural use without substantial interruption before the plaintiff began the use of property that the plaintiff alleges was interfered with by the agricultural use or agricultural practice.
2. The agricultural use or agricultural practice does not present a substantial threat to public health or safety.
(am) Paragraph (a) applies without regard to whether a change in agricultural use or agricultural practice is alleged to have contributed to the nuisance.
(b) In an action in which an agricultural use or an agricultural practice is found to be a nuisance, the following conditions apply:
1. The relief granted may not substantially restrict or regulate the agricultural use or agricultural practice, unless the agricultural use or agricultural practice is a substantial threat to public health or safety.
2. If the court orders the defendant to take any action to mitigate the effects of the agricultural use or agricultural practice found to be a nuisance, the court shall do all of the following:
a. Request public agencies having expertise and agricultural matters to furnish the court with suggestions for practices suitable to mitigate the effects of agricultural use or agricultural practice found to be a nuisance.
b. Provide the defendant with a reasonable time to take action directed in the courts order. The time allowed for the defendant to take the action may not be less than one year after the date of the order unless the agricultural use or agricultural practice is a substantial threat to public heath or safety.
3. If the court orders the defendant to take any action to mitigate the effects of the agricultural use or agricultural practice found to be a nuisance, the court may not order the defendant to take any action that substantially and adversely affects the economic liability of the agricultural use, unless the agricultural use or agricultural practice is a substantial threat to public heath or safety.
(c) 1. Subject to subd. 2., if a court requests the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection or the department of natural resources for suggestions under par. (b) 2.a., the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection or the department of natural resources shall advise the court concerning the relevant provisions of the performance standards, prohibitions, conservation practices and technical standards under s.281.16(3).
2. If the agricultural use or agricultural practice alleged could be a nuisance was begun before October 14, 1997, a department may advise the court under subd.1.only if the department determines that cost-sharing is available to the defendant under s.92.14 or 281.65 or from any other source.
(4) Cost. (a) in this subsection, “litigation expenses” means the sum of the costs, disbursements and expense, including reasonable attorney, expert witness and engineering fees necessary to prepare for or participate in an action in which an agricultural use or agricultural practice is alleged to be a nuisance.
(b) Notwithstanding s.814.04 (1) and (2), the court shall award litigation expenses to the defendant in any action in which an agricultural use or agricultural practice is alleged to be a nuisance if the agricultural use or agricultural practice is not found to be a nuisance.
Archive:
June 22, 2010 Wheaton Board Meeting
June 8, 2010 Town of Wheaton Board Meeting
April 13, 2010 Annual and Regular Town Hall Meeting Tuesday, April 13, 2010
April 8, 2010 CORRECT DOG LICENSE FEES INFORMATION
March 21, 2010 Accepting Bids for replacement of Town Hall roof
March 15, 2010 Town of Wheaton Road Ban
March 9, 2010 AGENDA for Wheaton Monthly Town Hall Meeting
March 5, 2010 TOWN OF WHEATON VOTING BY ABSENTEE BALLOT
March 2, 2010 Next meeting of the Plan Commission March 2, 2010
February 9, 2010 Town of Wheaton Monthly Meeting AND SPECIAL MEETING