Town utility permit policy, road projects among topics discussed by Newbold town board

The Newbold town board made strides toward a new town utility permit policy and weighing a slate of possible road projects at its regular meeting last Thursday, Feb. 26.

Supervisor Petra Pietrzak was absent.

The board continued discussion on prospective town ordinance Chapter 19. Town Utility Permit Policy, to charge a yearly fee for utility permit applications. 

“I like the fact that you all have control of the right of way theoretically,” said supervisor Mike McKenzie. “Theoretically, they (utility companies) don’t just come in and do what they feel like doing; we will control the right of way in the township, which is important as far as I’m concerned.”

Public works director Mark Fetzer alerted the board that the time was getting near to figure out road projects for 2026.

“In 2025 we bid out Cedar Lane and a couple small roads along with it,” he said. “It wasn’t awarded due to budget constraints. I would like to re-bid it this year with changing the surface from hot mix to double chip seal.” Among other possibilities he mentioned were Soo Lake Road, Musky Bay Drive, and Bridge Road.

“I would say bid them all,” said McKenzie. “Just because worst case scenario is we don’t do it, at least we start to build some history, I guess, as far as what our costs (would be) … at least we have an idea going into the following year. 

“My understanding is there are many contractors out there right now that have light schedules and they’re trying to fill them,” he added. “So I would rather get in now and help them fill a schedule than try to get in later when the schedule’s full.”

Chairman Dan Hess updated the board on pursuing a Local Small Structures Improvement Program (LSSIP) project grant for a culvert on River Road, to replace its three-foot pipes with two six-foot pipes. 

“They have 16,755 structures that fall into this category,” he said. “Our structure is listed as a 3 which is poor, but it is not in the 0 to 2 category which are severe ... They are going to try and fund 1s, 2s, and possibly 3s, so we may get funding on it this year.”

Also discussed at the meeting was the possibility of buying a camera system for the Newbold community center’s secure indoor drop box and area outside the building. An estimate for a three-camera system will be sought.

In the public comment portion of the meeting, Gauthier told the board about doing a training with coworkers on the new Badgers Books electronic poll book. 

“The paper poll book is put on a thumb drive and then it’s uploaded on that device,” she said. “So we will be using that on the April 7 election for the first time and I’m going to do both polling locations.”

Other matters

The board also at its Feb. 26 meeting:

• Approved line-item transfers from the general fund to volunteer fire department equipment, first responders, capital equipment fund, and the town shop.

• Compared the rental rates for seven area towns’ community halls to consider possible future action on the rental price for the Newbold community center.

• Approved Resolution 2026-01 to update Town Ordinance Chapter 1, General Government revisions.

• Approved Gauthier’s attendance at the Wisconsin Municipal Clerks Northern Conference in April.

The next regular meeting of the Newbold town board will be Thursday, March 12, at 6 p.m. at the Newbold Community Center.

Ardith Carlton may be reached at [email protected].