Town of Crescent approves business permit, hears backing debacle

A business permit came in front of the town of Crescent plan commission at their last meeting for a business to be located in the former gas station and convenience store on the corner of Highway 8 and South River Road. Members of the commission had commented on how simple and lacking in information the permit was and one member had some concerns over the hours of operation and if there would be disruptions in the neighborhood due to operation of the business. Even with those reservations, the plan commission sent the matter on to the full board, with the hopes the business owner would be in attendance to answer any further questions.

“I knew the hot button was the hours of operation,”board member Mike Pazdernik said later. The business owner had indicated the store, described as a high-quality craft store, would only be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. five days per week. It would be closed Sunday and Monday and high volumes of traffic were not expected. 

Squash Lake boat landing repairs

Town chair Grady Hartman gave a report on the Squash Lake boat landing. At some point since the last town meeting, a truck was backing in with a boat and got hung up at the landing. When the tow truck pulled the truck out, it was found the driver had gotten stuck on the concrete pads at the landing. Pulling the rig out also pulled out the concrete pads, according to Pazdernik in an interview. 

“According to Grady, it got to be quite a mess,” he said. “He had our road crew go out there and try to put them in as best they can. But there’s a space between two of them where, if you’re going to use that boat landing, you better beware.” A sign had been erected at the landing warning of the danger. 

Pazdernik said bids had been put out to rework the boat landing previously, but the town had received no bids. One option for this year, he said, was to take the dock out, allowing people to use the ramp to the right, which is a more level approach to the water. However, if the dock were to come out, it would have to stay out for the remainder of the year. The hope, Pazdernik said, was to find someone to at least come in and straighten out the pads.

The full repair of the launch ramp, however, would have to wait until next year. 

Pazdernik said the town budget workshop was set for 3 p.m. on Thursday, September 11, 2025. The budget hearing and regular town board meeting will be on Thursday, November 13, with the workshop starting at 5 p.m., and the regular board meeting following the workshop.

Beckie Gaskill may be reached via email at [email protected].