THE CITY REBORN FROM THE ASHES OF AMERICA'S MOST DISASTROUS FOREST FIRE
Wagner Board Considers Rescue Service, Lake Mary Swim Access
Issue Date: May 26, 2022
At its monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 11, Wagner Town Board tentatively agreed that Wausaukee Rescue Squad should be asked to provide service for the entire town rather than just the portion north of County X, while the southern portion is served by Bay Area Paramedics. Providing public swimming access on Lake Mary remains unsettled, and will be on the agenda again for the next board meeting, which will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 8.
Present for the May 11 meeting were Town Chair Steve Renikow Sr., Supervisors Mollie Arthur and Ed Delfosse, Clerk Cassie Brown, Treasurer Margo Renikow and 10 members of the public.
Clerk Cassie Brown reported post cards were received from Secure Democracy USA and the League of Women Voters thanking the poll workers and community for their participation in the April elections.
During time for public input Howie Anderson asked for a price increase from $62.50 to $70 per hour for cutting the town's grass. This will be on the agenda next month.
Dave Doberstein asked the town to keep an eye on Tabor Cemetery. He said he had found 4-wheeler marks from the vehicles that had been tearing up the grounds within the cemetery.
Mike Caylor reported the Wagner Fire Department had responded to four calls since the last town board meeting - two for wild land fires, one for a roll over and one for a MABAS call with the Town of Peshtigo. Members of the Department spent 104 hours on maintenance and training.
Chair Renikow stated grading on town roads would begin the following week.
Animal Control Officer Jerry Micksch reported he had received one call during the month, from Supervisor Ed Delfosse regarding a dog on Snyder Road. The dog had no license or identification tags and was taken to the animal shelter. Micksch said the Town needs to set a procedure for handling injured animals without identification tags, and added that once that is done Marinette County officers will follow this procedure if they are dispatched. This will be on the agenda next month.
Supervisor Arthur reported there was nothing new in regard to demolition of the Old Depot.
Chair Renikow read the Lake Mary ordinance aloud before starting discussion on creating a swimming access area on town owned property on Lake Mary that had been requested by members of the public at the Annual Meeting in April. Renikow Sr. stated the town owns 35 to 40 feet of land on the south side of the dock, and at the annual meeting there was discussion on using this as a possible swimming access. Renikow said several phone calls have been made to determine what the land can be used for, but calls are still being returned. The Congressman was also contacted and is researching if there is any funding that can be used for this project.
Mike Caylor, who represents Wagner on the the Wausaukee Rescue Squad Board of Directors, reported that there are four municipalities on payment contract with the squad. Charges for each are based on the number of improved parcels within the municipality. When the Town of Wagner fee was calculated the total number of improved parcels in the entire town was used, but the Wausaukee Rescue Squad had only been contracted to service the portion of the town north of Highway X, while the area south of Highway X is covered by Bay Area Paramedics.
After evaluating the area and calculating travel time, it was determined the Wausaukee Rescue Squad could respond faster than Bay Area coming from Marinette. The recommendation is to let the Squad service the entire Town of Wagner since payment is already in the contract. Chair Renikow questioned why it wasn't already that way. Caylor stated it had been set up this way for a long time.
Caylor said the first step toward getting the Wausaukee Rescue service area changed to include the entire Town of Wagner would be for Renikow to attend the Wausaukee Rescue Squad Board of Directors meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17 and request the increased coverage area. If the Squad agrees then the Marinette County Emergency Dispatch office would need to be contacted to change the computer system, and the final step would be to notify Bay Area Paramedics.
Discuss/consider assessor's compensation. Assessor Tom McGuire contacted Chairperson Steve Renikow Sr regarding an increase in price. The current contract is through 2023. If necessary, this will be on the agenda next month.
William Everson had contacted Chair Renikow regarding funding for a proposed new flag pole at the Town Hall. He provided a budget and a 5'X8' flag was ordered with a 30' pole which includes a light. The lead time is five weeks.
The board agreed that agenda items for the June 8 meeting will include discussion and possible action on the Old Depot, Wausaukee Rescue Squad coverage, town policy for injured animals without identification tags, Lake Mary swimming access, and the price increase for grass cutting that had been requested by Howie Anderson.