[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6353825,"mediaKeyId","2220952-0c693871f29f485c28cb03d6499004f3","parentId",2220952,"title","Waunakee trustees press for statutory fire commission as talks with towns stall","audioSeconds",3663,"startMs",93000,"endMs",3756000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2220952-0c693871f29f485c28cb03d6499004f3&start=93&end=3756","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2220952-0c693871f29f485c28cb03d6499004f3/thumbnail_93000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6353825/Waunakee/Dane-County/Wisconsin/Waunakee-trustees-press-for-statutory-fire-commission-as-talks-with-towns-stall","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6353825-23bce1b0aa43e89bd7c0fe1e554133db/orig.mp4?Expires=1773239333&Signature=Sk0Cw~NZtwDbkwbWSV3ZbAhxc33xAPHRFw2Oijm2liOoRYseuCTUU~BV4JelHLIaKUhkqs5uI28Hfv~KeNc5eJqT1s4kAB7KbThD1sXIHdEsXp63Bb3R0cPndlumwiWVLTW0QyAYCPdSwevby8xh1TRZnW~ke7QdtBruwr7iDGhxNYsuj6IA6Ckjcc7t71Aq7o7NabEhzY0BagygtuMATGTpw2Ia4wlXdG5AO99tbjxhpX7jY6WQmYlWHI6~BmtFlamPXCIyvRPmWD8H2NsPIsIx-fAXLOFF-fF5bypDrREYYZHV6be0PPeDfJHxMcocpbzUYnMRpIfZQK1j6ez7Aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Village of Waunakee, WI","date","2025-02-04T13:46:42Z","article","Trustees for the Village of Waunakee on Monday outlined steps they have taken to implement recommendations from a 2024 McMahon Associates fire study and said state law requires formation of a statutory fire commission for districts serving larger municipalities.

The presentation by village staff and board representatives summarized the district’s operating agreement (last updated in July 2012), the McMahon report’s recommendation that the operating agreement be updated “immediately” to include a fire commission that appoints the chief, and recent local actions including a December ordinance by the village to require a fire commission and a December fire board vote to keep the existing operating agreement in place while a commission is created (a 3–2 vote, with the two village board members voting no).

Why it matters: The village’s presenters said Waunakee now funds about 71% of the joint fire district based on equalized value and that the current operating agreement limits the village’s ability to act quickly on unbudgeted needs, personnel oversight and capital projects. The McMahon report recommended a commission and ultimately a transition to a full-time chief after governance changes are made.

What trustees told the public: Trustee Robert (village representative on the fire board) said the district formed in 1933 and that when the operating agreement was drafted the funding and voting balance looked different. He told residents the village has repeatedly tried to negotiate changes with the three towns in the district (Westport, Springfield and Vienna) but that progress has been slow, producing “real uncertainty” for the district.

Village staff explained statutory context. A presenter summarized the relevant language in state law noting that villages with populations of 5,500 or more have an obligation to provide fire protection services and that a joint department that meets certain criteria must have a joint board of fire commissioners; the presenter emphasized, “It says shall, it doesn’t say may.”

Trustees discussed options, not final decisions. Those options included continuing to press the towns to amend the operating agreement to create the statutory commission; granting the village board and its fire-board representatives more delegated authority for limited, time-sensitive expenditures; contracting to provide fire protection services to the towns if the district were to dissolve; or beginning the formal withdrawal process from the district (trustees said withdrawal requires a minimum notice period that effectively makes any exit an 18-month-plus process tied to fiscal-year timing).

Trustees and staff stressed limits of the village’s authority under the current agreement: the district owns assets and, under the operating agreement, the village’s representatives have oversight of only the district’s single employee (the fire inspector) and not the membership of volunteer firefighters. Presenters noted that donated property and equipment are district property, not owned by the volunteer membership.

Public comment and reaction: David Boettcher, Waunakee’s representative on the Dane County Board, thanked trustees and urged clear public explanation of statutory limits; he told the board that sometimes residents interpret constrained choices as the village simply refusing to act. Several trustees and village representatives affirmed support for continuing volunteer firefighting and repeatedly said their goal is compliance with state law while maintaining and honoring the volunteer service legacy.

Next steps trustees discussed: (1) directing staff to pursue technical and legal work (trustees emphasized the fire district needs independent legal counsel to avoid conflicts); (2) pursuing facility improvements identified in the McMahon report (for example, a ventilation upgrade for apparatus bays); (3) exploring limited delegation of expenditure authority to village fire-board representatives so urgent needs can be addressed more quickly; and (4) continuing negotiations with the towns while preparing contingency plans, including contracting options and the formal withdrawal timeline if an agreement cannot be reached.

Trustees repeatedly framed the proposals as steps to improve oversight, planning, training and equipment acquisition while preserving volunteer service where feasible. No final policy decision to withdraw or to create a village-run department was taken at the meeting; trustees asked staff to bring additional detail and legal options back for later meetings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Village of Waunakee Village Board Meeting 2/3/25","oneSentenceSummary","Trustees for the Village of Waunakee on Monday outlined steps they have taken to implement recommendations from a 2024 McMahon Associates fire study and said state law requires formation of a statutory fire commission for districts serving larger municipalities.","taxTitle","Waunakee, Dane County, Wisconsin","taxId",69795,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6353810,"Trustees debate options for 105 E. Second St.; inspector review and appraisal suggested",989,3944000,4933000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2220952-0c693871f29f485c28cb03d6499004f3&start=3944&end=4933","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2220952-0c693871f29f485c28cb03d6499004f3/thumbnail_3944000.jpg","/articles/6353810/Waunakee/Dane-County/Wisconsin/Trustees-debate-options-for-105-E-Second-St-inspector-review-and-appraisal-suggested","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6353810-31efef81688debbd5d3aecc0c6ef4ce4/orig.mp4?Expires=1773239333&Signature=HaRn6WKPvAIVkHT9bTh4sMakY3MZD~SxdHMXpgf5BG~d1rzyTxdup3p~ZNwYBI6jUDL5mdjcfRa7KZqPgq9SDkcbT3i9xToM1yP4WRSp7cDSTSXU1VOsmPUpJGfqnmnaC-aJxJHGDB~tdkMvH75-4QoYyY8K0PsPdiXrHx9m82vfE-ARN9bgL73LSV7CKr0nNlZJJlnZQFUoJ2N~-uBBY21tk8PoapGsB2QMFXmDiaroUEu0tE6TQrfLyuw~AHOksQWbs-ogHXXJqrtwNbhNYMhWCupKI~pz3wRsif~-lGSMjpJ9RE2ChpBKsyJ0GIVTj6XiBKxQ9afngX9bNr6v6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Village staff presented options for a possible acquisition of the property at 105 East Second Street, including (1) buying the parcel to clean up easements and boundary issues, (2) acquiring the building and issuing a request for proposals for a public-oriented reuse (concepts discussed included a pavilion/public meeting space, nonprofit offices or a historical society), or (3) retaining the property as a commercial landlord until a preferred use emerges.

Staff said the owner prefers to sell the whole property rather than undertake easement cleanup work. A concept sketch in the packet imagined removing a rear building and creating a pavilion that would tie to the village-owned Depot building and nearby events such as the Wednesday farmers’ market.

Trustees raised fiscal questions and feasibility concerns: several trustees noted the building needs repairs and likely requires a fire-suppression system if reused for public occupancy; one trustee estimated that full rehabilitation could reach the mid-seven-figure range once sprinklers, roof work and other safety upgrades are included. Trustees discussed funding options, including tax-increment financing (TIF), but several said they would be cautious about using TIF dollars for a public-space purchase that would not grow the tax base.

Requested next steps: trustees asked staff to (a) arrange a building-inspection walkthrough to document condition and code/suppression requirements, (b) research grant opportunities and potential funding sources, and (c) report back on appraisal costs and historic-preservation funding possibilities. One trustee suggested a professional appraisal (staff estimated similar appraisals have cost roughly $3,000–$4,000 in past projects). No purchase contract or financing decision was approved at the meeting.

Trustees emphasized they were not committing to demolition or immediate acquisition; instead, several said they wanted more technical information before any formal offer or TIF commitment.","The board discussed a potential purchase of 105 East Second Street to resolve easement and boundary issues and to explore redevelopment or public uses. Trustees asked staff to arrange at least a building inspection and to research appraisal and grant options before any purchase decision.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6353815,"Board rejects 2025 sidewalk-improvement bid after proposals exceed budget",165,3772000,3937000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2220952-0c693871f29f485c28cb03d6499004f3&start=3772&end=3937","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2220952-0c693871f29f485c28cb03d6499004f3/thumbnail_3772000.jpg","/articles/6353815/Waunakee/Dane-County/Wisconsin/Board-rejects-2025-sidewalk-improvement-bid-after-proposals-exceed-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6353815-ddd3684692c7d22563b09f1d7a4577a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1773239333&Signature=KkgLtHA3G-QuFtd10DKi3DwZdZtmeQIgC3MuPxRZMbyNMgvuDuT5gGkv11GldJOTfqSu2mYWso~YwdTM-jwRQz2Q4bT0EaMCft-Kz9SXSKf~9ur36IgP9kmLVfC1ds38lj~47QHfklnzDrpMZgn5voCQp4ua~wv6XUparIkGyLvndYMK7Qv1LTq9h4RdPFOEyC1I7VEXZ3yTDeKwKTVwX1t~HMolw3vZcdhF6uE~0P3DOyr9vx29Hke898AO5FTpmMysHfFQfNfr4QwMnwIrjKIxbFr-4iKFbZj77Kb1U3xo-NhN59bR5AAobIUY6jNQK~AB1~ogJTdM-nP48au4Sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Village staff told trustees that bids opened on Jan. 24 for the 2025 sidewalk maintenance project came in substantially above budget. The board voted to reject the bid so staff can rescope the work — for example by shrinking the geographic scope — and attempt to obtain more favorable bids.

A trustee moved to approve a resolution rejecting the received sidewalk bid; the motion passed by voice vote. Staff said shrinking the project footprint is the primary means to bring costs in line and that the sidewalk program’s funding level will be evaluated as part of upcoming budget and road rehabilitation planning.

Trustees asked whether materials or market conditions were drivers; staff said the likely cause was project size rather than material costs. No funding or contract award was approved at the meeting.","Bids opened Jan. 24 for the 2025 sidewalk maintenance project came in well over budget; trustees voted to reject the bid so staff can rescope and rebid a smaller project to match available funds.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6353820,"Village board approves Goddard School lot combination for Arboretum Office Park",184,1634000,1818000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2220952-0c693871f29f485c28cb03d6499004f3&start=1634&end=1818","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2220952-0c693871f29f485c28cb03d6499004f3/thumbnail_1634000.jpg","/articles/6353820/Waunakee/Dane-County/Wisconsin/Village-board-approves-Goddard-School-lot-combination-for-Arboretum-Office-Park","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6353820-cb62b98449e9728901206cb49a5c64ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1773239333&Signature=WOL8axIriCyk7RoBmo3elxNqQqnjoj5QtBYz-ifFMZzeBGe8PTpyMJwJeEqMsxecMeHKkAFrDwlA9JzmDIdeA4kgNtnqxnoUiAD~lNp5X0BqXGdC3GRttaR914HmVwwFvFOymso7PIxvLQ~pNTi~tWpLGYBefWgDZfyptQI5sNuNyOHoMChdWaRmY9mfStnSxXKipvRGj0d5IVUWqMuidrgtJ~doa5y827eBYqJI1YhdSdNfwN0zN4YZRV7k6s9Kr~DePSPSYtJesUmeU5MDqDRJhXztonTh5F9avO9EZDygNs7YuEEpCkCvDq4WbvhnbgB1rtG~8zbuiWqueVvWhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Village of Waunakee board on Monday approved a certified survey map to combine Lots 22 and 23 at 1117 Stevenson Lane in the Arboretum Office Park so the Goddard School can proceed toward construction.

Planning staff said the change is a lot-line adjustment; day-care uses are allowed in the Arboretum Office Park and staff reported no outstanding technical concerns. The motion approved the CSM with a stipulation: village signatures would be withheld until the village is notified that other public utilities have abandoned any easement rights affecting the lots.

Trustees asked procedural questions during the brief discussion and welcomed the project given local need for childcare capacity. No members of the public spoke on the item during the public hearing.

Motion and outcome: A trustee moved to approve the certified survey map with village signatures withheld pending notification that other public utilities have abandoned their rights; a second was recorded and the motion carried without recorded opposition.","The village board approved a certified survey map to combine Lots 22 and 23 at 1117 Stevenson Lane to allow construction of a Goddard School day care; village signatures were withheld pending confirmation that other public utilities have abandoned easements.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Waunakee trustees press for statutory fire commission as talks with towns stall

Trustees debate options for 105 E. Second St.; inspector review and appraisal suggested

Board rejects 2025 sidewalk-improvement bid after proposals exceed budget

Village board approves Goddard School lot combination for Arboretum Office Park