Submitted for Town Board Approval February 12, 2001

 

 

PUBLIC HEARING OF THE

TOWN BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Municipal Complex - Assembly Room

Monday, January 22, 2001

 

MINUTES

 

 

Agendas with resolutions were posted at the Municipal Complex, Fire Station 40, Utility District, Appleton Public Library, Menasha Public Library, and Neenah Public Library.

 

I.                   CALL TO ORDER, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND ROLL CALL

Town Chair Arden Tews called the Public Hearing of the Town Board of Supervisors to order at 5:15 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Clerk Sprague noted the roll as follows:

 

PRESENT:

Arden Tews, Town Chair                        Bob Sprague, Supervisor #2          Jerry Jurgensen, Supervisor #3        Russ Handevidt, Supervisor #4

Carlene Sprague, Town Clerk                 Carl Sutter, Town Engineer

Myra Piergrossi, Dir. of Finance              George Dearborn, Dir. of Com. Dev.        

 

EXCUSED:

Jeanne Krueger, Supervisor #1

 

ALSO PRESENT:

            Phil Roberts, Omnni Assoc.                   Constance Metko

            Bob Pedersen, Goodwill                          Dorothy & Andy Wittman

            Bonnie DeBraal, Goodwill                       Harry & Dorothy Anderson

            Ed DeBraal, Goodwill                              Rollie & Mary Jane Ritchie, Decorating Den

            Al & Gloria Lembcke                                Wayne A. Krablean

            Sara Westgor, Westgor Funeral Hm      Robert & Janice Wolfgram

            Dan Thorne                                             Tim Daczyk

            Mark Englebreth                                      Joe Trudell

            Linda & William Schlaak                         Gayle Hardt, United Way

            Jim Gast, Buttersweet Antiques

           

II.                 SPECIAL ASSESSMENT – HWY 47 INSTALLATION OF SIDEWALK
·        S. R. 47 Between 9th Street and Valley Road

·        Midway Road Between S. R. 47 and University Drive

 

 

Dir. of Community Development, George Dearborn, provided an overview of the proposed project.  He stated that this is a joint project with the City of Menasha.  The purpose of this hearing is to get resident input.

 

Phil Roberts from Ommni Assoc, stated that he was hired by the City and Town of Menasha to design the sidewalk.  He provided 3 different scenarios and a plan view of the project.

 

A Town Resident, who did not state his name, questioned what is going to happen when Hwy. 47 is reconstructed?

 

George Dearborn stated that there would be no additional assessments. 

 

Clerk Carlene Sprague requested people state their name for the record when speaking.

 

Dennis Casey, of 1040 Appleton Road, questioned why is there a need for a sidewalk?  He asked for statistics regarding usage.  He stated that, in his opinion, the sidewalk is too close to the road for school children and pedestrians to be safe.  In his opinion, this is not a good place for a sidewalk.  This is a U.S. highway and he believed that there were many people in the audience who feel the same way.  He asked who would have to maintain the sidewalk?

 

Monty Michaels of Michael’s Restaurant also expressed opposition.

 

Dennis Casey questioned why proceed with this project if it is going to be reconstructed by the State of Wisconsin in the year 2005?

 

Phil Roberts, representing Ommni Associates stated that the reconstruction is in the Department of Transportation’s six year plan. 

 

Monty Michaels stated he opposed a sidewalk being constructed through his lot, and that since, I hear it is going to be redone in 5 years, it is ridiculous to do this now when one block over, there is a sidewalk.

 

Mark Engelbreth, from Appanasha Pet Hospital, stated that he never saw people walking past his business. 

 

George Dearborn said that he personally has observed people walking on Hwy 47 and it is critical that we have a sidewalk at some point in this area.”

 

Much discussion ensued.

 

Rollie Ritchie, of Decorating Den, asked for clarification regarding whether the City of Menasha is encouraging this due to their industrial park and why this is being proposed on their side of the street, versus the other side?

 

Phil Roberts stated it is proposed because  there is a larger drainage ditch on the east side.

 

Rollie Ritchie questioned if this project is a grand scheme of connecting the Town of Menasha to the City of Menasha?  He asked Chairman Tews to respond.

 

Chairman Tews stated that he did not know prior to today, that the sidewalk would be 3 to 4 feet from the highway, and also did not know that the year 2005 was targeted for road repair.

 

Rollie Ritchie said that we needed this area for parking at his business.  There are customers driving in and out where people would be walking.  This would be a safety hazard.  Our lot is completely paved.  Could we be allowed just to keep our paved areas?  If every property owner objects, where do we go from here? 

 

Much additional discussion ensued.

 

Jim Gast, from Buttersweet Antiques, asked why, for safety reasons, would you construct a sidewalk for children to be walking down Hwy 47 versus roads with less traffic?  He expressed disapproval.

 

Bob Pederson, representing Goodwill Industries, stated there are a number of people who use this area and who are disabled.  They are dropped off by McDonalds and use our campus.  45-60 with disabilities per day use this area.  We are in support of the sidewalk that runs to our building and are hoping that you go forward with the plan.

 

Administrator DeGrave questioned that if this project gets delayed, would  Goodwill Industries  explore the idea of putting a sidewalk in at their own cost?

 

Andy Wittman, 900 Wittman Drive, stated that, in his opinion, there is little traffic.  He suggested the project should be tabled until the State completes their reconstruction.

 

Sara Westgor, 1140 Appleton Road, stated snow removal is a problem.  She spoke in opposition of the sidewalk.  This is a state highway.  She requested this project be tabled.

 

Linda Schlaak stated that she is a student at Goodwill Campus, and encouraged the project be completed for safety reasons.

 

Bonnie DeBraal, employed at Goodwill, expressed support for the proposed project.

 

Dan Thorne, 935 Mayer Street, stated that he has lived in the Town for 29 years.  He asked for status regarding why this project is perceived as needed for safety reasons.

 

(No response).

 

Rollie Ritchie, from Decorating Den, questioned why the Town, as a government body, cannot get the buss to drop people off on the other side of the road.

 

Chairman Tews stated that we are going to have to do some research.  Here are two concerns:

1)     2005 project on the highway

2)     plowing of snow

 

We will keep the people involved informed.

 

 

Administrator DeGrave stated that the Town will do a direct mailing after research is done.

 

III.              ADJOURNMENT

There were no further questions, comments or objections, therefore, Chairman Tews declared the Public Hearing adjourned at 6:20 p.m. and declared a 10 minute recess.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Carlene L. Sprague

Town Clerk