[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6301521,"mediaKeyId","2487742-41120b7a0f45c92598c147cb8a7f84a4","parentId",2487742,"title","Votes at a glance: Germantown board approves chief pay, several code changes; postpones $150,000 blanket PO for IT","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",2632000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2487742-41120b7a0f45c92598c147cb8a7f84a4&start=2632&end=2632","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2487742-41120b7a0f45c92598c147cb8a7f84a4/thumbnail_2632000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6301521/Germantown/Washington-County/Wisconsin/Votes-at-a-glance-Germantown-board-approves-chief-pay-several-code-changes-postpones-150000-blanket-PO-for-IT","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301521-10363900508d19847f434c517bd87f90/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192055&Signature=kaeHAW2HMD7N3uRhdu25LnmZpOqBnbXX-b7T8pIeOvSAyATdBCpKiSSu4-lwCgwD06jlBaAIsQMdRQ7QShV1OTWG9YOmI6wclGsEmJJ6~ct4k3ZsBluR2xy~NGgxenTJQ9WWuokDh~nctXiQargJHU6RjyEMQs2xvIGMTzOLyIt0T2zpai7IO43CqiQaMsVnuk5MBO6lQvPJEyr-XZ9Skb62iypQZSHgXos8x92fpqECcXFSt8WozWMgLx-Rc1CeGsjYiJnZxCmYaUZ5cO~jRSGVO~HcMOoFrBumIS~N-Lwl1B0Fjz-XNTXMrsOhF3QU2yD6PdNJt~HEFmNGthNdsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Village of Germantown, WI","date","2025-03-04T15:12:35Z","article","The Germantown Village Board took several formal actions at its March 3 meeting. Key outcomes summarized below were recorded on the public record during roll call and voice votes.

Votes at a glance

- Police chief pay: The board set the annual salary for newly appointed Police Chief Pat Merton at $135,917 ($65.34 hourly), matching the previous chief’s pay level. The Police and Fire Commission selected Captain Merton; the village board approved the pay by roll call.

- Certified survey map (CSM): The board approved a certified survey map conveying 2.67 acres containing a stormwater management basin from the Village to TDC Willow Creek LLC for a Willow Creek Business Park parcel. Staff said the transfer makes the basin the property owner’s responsibility and that a stormwater maintenance agreement will be required. The motion passed without opposition.

- Blanket purchase order (IT equipment): Trustees voted to postpone action on a proposed blanket purchase order not to exceed $150,000 with Capital Data. Trustees requested more detailed hardware quantities, configuration and cost breakdowns; the board moved the item to the next regular meeting so IT staff can provide fuller backup.

- Outdoor entertainment fee resolution: The board approved a resolution establishing an annual $200 fee for outdoor entertainment permits and maintaining the $75 temporary-event fee for the third and subsequent individual events in a license year (Public Safety Committee recommendation).

- Weights and measures and zoning appeals secretary ordinances: The board approved amendments related to the weights-and-measures license (section 12.26) and to the secretary of the Board of Zoning Appeals (section 1.3.2.b). Both measures passed following committee review.

- Hunting ordinance: The board amended section 9.02 of the municipal code to allow hunting in Wilderness Park to accommodate stewardship-grant conditions on another parcel (covered in a separate report).

- Consent agenda: Consent agenda items a through c and e were approved by roll call; item d (the IT blanket PO) was pulled for discussion and later postponed.

Several items drew discussion from trustees seeking clearer backup or procedural clarification. On the IT purchase-order item, Trustee Pieper and others said quotes and itemized configurations were needed before approving a blanket PO; trustees asked IT staff (Aaron Hearn) to present details at the next meeting. On contract-and-funding items related to the Pilgrim/Mequon purchases, trustees asked for clarity on fund balances and reimbursement options (TID vs. reserves). The board also moved into closed session later in the agenda to discuss administrator performance goals per Wis. Stat. § 19.85(1)(c).

The board’s formal votes and motions are on the public record in the meeting minutes and packet materials for March 3.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Village Board 3/3/25","oneSentenceSummary","At its March 3 meeting the Germantown Village Board approved several administrative measures — including setting the police chief's salary and amending fees and ordinances — and postponed a blanket purchase order for IT equipment to a future meeting.","taxTitle","Germantown, Washington County, Wisconsin","taxId",69247,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6301526,"Germantown Library reports 358,000 checkouts in 2024, highlights patio project and restored hours",955,6063000,7018000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2487742-41120b7a0f45c92598c147cb8a7f84a4&start=6063&end=7018","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2487742-41120b7a0f45c92598c147cb8a7f84a4/thumbnail_6063000.jpg","/articles/6301526/Germantown/Washington-County/Wisconsin/Germantown-Library-reports-358000-checkouts-in-2024-highlights-patio-project-and-restored-hours","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301526-bf93f1e77c5775ad622993e2bf205934/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192055&Signature=D3SLAPod91h8XMndZdyuhq1V3u2vK-MkvMeSTAWiG9RRvIPhzma11jSbhjIzSs~ayFrZzKDTM6MvY-SsokT-istOcTjM3W4wvNylqtz72zFVNxRTMG855o2ie8LmnqDNMTp2gUfF4WWYHUHrO4UabBgBSmKGqq9QeDUgf0O60hoE3dxqsldr5fEFXHZdyQd1O1In7D-GI-4ofFKT8WaeK0qVcFQqw~Pb0iUBnw0Ltj0Lty8EgZPUcKqXNqlmj7qXpsIzlGKwwi6l8x0wtgKS1NGG3eYsA-WS6U2GV95~yijXdH9OTYE4nzIyKA8ZtErq8Wc37B3I2bHh9dEPBAUtjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Trisha Smith, director of the Germantown Community Library, presented the library’s 2024 annual report at the Village Board’s March 3 meeting, reporting 358,000 total circulations, more than 12,000 registered cardholders and about 3,000 daily visitors in 2024.

Smith told trustees the library serves 35,290 residents across Germantown and portions of non-libraried Washington County municipalities; operating revenue for 2024 was roughly $1.4 million, about two-thirds from the Village of Germantown and about one-third from Washington County reimbursements tied to county circulation. Smith said the library received roughly $73,000 in grants and donations last year and that it spent about 65% of its operating budget on salaries and benefits.

Smith reviewed circulation trends: 225,000 print items, 64,000 digital items and 56,000 audio-visual items were checked out in 2024. She noted continued growth in digital circulation and in graphic novels and large-print books. Programming remained robust: the library held about 530 programs with roughly 21,000 attendees. Smith said the library’s Monarch system migration and bundled e-newsletter reduced costs and improved consistency across regional library systems.

Major projects in 2024 included a patio expansion funded largely through fundraising: the library raised about $45,000 to add an ADA-accessible sidewalk, picnic tables, literacy-focused features and outdoor musical instruments. Smith said the library restored normal operating hours on Jan. 2, 2025, after temporary reductions during the prior budget year.

Trustees praised staff fundraising and program creativity; Trustee Jan Miller thanked the director for keeping services strong in tight budget years. Trustee Kaminski asked about computer counts; Smith said the library has 10 public computers and was finishing upgrades to Windows 11 by the end of the month. Trustees and residents at the meeting noted high community use and positive impressions of the library’s services.

Smith encouraged trustees to consider e-rate funding opportunities in future budget cycles and said the library would continue expanding programming for tweens and outreach to surrounding non-libraried areas of Washington County.","The Germantown Community Library reported 358,000 total circulations for 2024, presented funding breakdowns showing two-thirds municipal support and one-third Washington County reimbursement, and described a $45,000 patio upgrade and restored operating hours for 2025.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6301531,"Germantown amends code to allow hunting in Wilderness Park to accommodate DNR/MMSD grant terms",348,3228000,3576000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2487742-41120b7a0f45c92598c147cb8a7f84a4&start=3228&end=3576","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2487742-41120b7a0f45c92598c147cb8a7f84a4/thumbnail_3228000.jpg","/articles/6301531/Germantown/Washington-County/Wisconsin/Germantown-amends-code-to-allow-hunting-in-Wilderness-Park-to-accommodate-DNRMMSD-grant-terms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301531-9a7e352e02040d0abc9f797496d270f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192055&Signature=GLkiE8qNbJXJ82jp0vuHdCusKiwEyppQRiZraMpcsm1OvQoCQDOYR4MkZ0SElfAZNw-NfbMAT2aagrvfJgQp51nUnkLk6p5VVj9V2WtATmhC1hbDq8ETOO~jXANgjNqkCED3Ab0RBFZHCpvpnrykJq-9GYkdGu-sUm1~MsG4fMbWTLergZaJkr5MRXCv0dW86R7qltJQR5tAiv8Og-ntimGxFYBgaP9nYg0zb22JIbznlVHzoyaFAcMJFZFlboAN4NUbq6NhJ5bqebW-CTR4L9t8kJsoSf33eH65-YK643iK1zjoAYE0rWjCvSkWXGVwyKkQN-BiKrUpZ-tVzfcOEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Germantown Village Board voted March 3 to amend municipal code section 9.02 to allow hunting in Wilderness Park, following staff advice that the change would satisfy conditions attached to a stewardship grant used for another parcel and give the village flexibility if land use changes in the future.

Staff explained the background: the Golden Dale Creek parcel was purchased by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) with Knowles-Nelson stewardship grant funds that impose certain land-use restrictions, including making hunting allowable there. Village staff and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recommended transferring the hunting requirement to Wilderness Park, a larger, more remote parcel with fewer users, to reduce conflicts as the Goldendale area develops.

“This parcel was purchased using stewardship grant funds and those grant funds place some restrictions on the use of the land,” the staff memo summarized; staff recommended the transfer to Wilderness Park as a safer long-term arrangement. Trustees and staff discussed safety, existing MMSD hunting maps and the fact that Wilderness Park is largely wetlands and sparsely populated. Trustee Terry Kaminski noted that the planned change would create a more contiguous area for safe hunting use with adjacent MMSD lands.

Trustee Jan Miller raised concerns about introducing hunting on any village land and asked whether the Goldendale property is currently a park. Staff clarified that Goldendale had been acquired and that hunting had been allowed because of the grant terms; the proposed code change would let the village maintain hunting access on the stewardship-funded parcel but shift the primary hunting location to Wilderness Park. DNR and MMSD staff had advised that the swap would be acceptable.

Trustees approved the ordinance amendment by voice vote; the meeting record shows a majority in favor and one opposition. Staff said the change preserves the village’s future authority to prohibit hunting at Goldendale Creek if surrounding development later makes hunting unsafe, while aligning village rules with neighboring MMSD properties that already permit hunting in appropriate areas.

No changes to licensing, seasons, safety requirements or required hunter permissions were proposed in the ordinance amendment; staff said existing state hunting regulations and MMSD permit procedures would continue to apply to lands where hunting is allowed.","The Village Board approved an ordinance amendment allowing hunting in Wilderness Park so the municipality can meet grant-related hunting requirements on a parcel purchased with stewardship funds while preserving future control of hunting locations, officials said.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6301535,"Germantown board approves $50,791 demolition contract for Flower Source site amid protests over purchases and funding",4339,703000,5042000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2487742-41120b7a0f45c92598c147cb8a7f84a4&start=703&end=5042","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2487742-41120b7a0f45c92598c147cb8a7f84a4/thumbnail_703000.jpg","/articles/6301535/Germantown/Washington-County/Wisconsin/Germantown-board-approves-50791-demolition-contract-for-Flower-Source-site-amid-protests-over-purchases-and-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301535-e58296c491cb6556ed045eda34e31c85/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192055&Signature=WRQ2tU7w6CaqYFhD4-5nBBqnHPJqhXYIwkSy5iHZsKL-Oo15ErPLUtSUkWmfKjpwGMRCpt5FWMJE~3IPXxparn4USotYC3ic0xTmN4-pE8LRuTazMLMyy97MgdnrMVjzAKBvbaIENSVyVY3QDzHYsg5pCjxgk~7wbWsgdJScLaxrSZwgkQOawThk~xTtxrxNx3HGyusArPlI4I9slXxE9Tb9lnZx05D01aZeZ8EROfUKrXI-WU~UQxSKRrILKOwu6NnoywW~GKKEqRz2z5rPnH4HRbYrcFYdfN-qfOLdPGqRIxw5O9tx5WqvTQEm~GrStQgafJWii~uXuHCjR6ffWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Germantown Village Board voted to hire D & H Demolition to remove unsafe structures at the former Flower Source site, approving a $50,791 contract at its March 3 meeting.

The vote followed extended citizen input and board discussion about the village’s recent purchases in the Pilgrim Road area and how they will be financed. Village staff and several trustees said the buildings present a safety hazard and recommended prompt removal; some trustees and multiple residents urged the board to require the current owner to pay for demolition or to delay action until other financing was secured.

Village administrator Steve Krekelow told the board that the closing on two Flower Source-related parcels was scheduled this week and that the village would take title at that time. He recommended contracting for demo now so the village could act quickly to address loose glass, vandalism and fires reported on the property. “They do present a safety hazard,” Krekelow said during discussion.

Resident comments at the meeting were sharply critical of the land purchases and the board’s process. One resident, speaking during citizen input, said the community had not been given adequate notice about the purchases and questioned using public funds: “They took a million dollars from our fund and I was told it was taken out of reserves of our tax money,” the resident said. Sarah Larson of Butternut Road later accused village staff and consultants of creating the appearance of public engagement while decisions were already made: “The representation by the village and its consultants on the village center has been a farce of trying to create the illusion that the project wasn’t all preplanned,” Larson told the board.

Board members debated who should pay. Trustee Jane Miller moved to amend the demolition motion to require the current owner to pay; that amendment failed on a hand vote. Supporters of immediate demolition said boarding and securing the greenhouse and house on the property had not prevented repeat trespass and vandalism. Trustee Terry Kaminski argued the board should proceed: “We’re going to be purchasing this property this week. We should immediately follow-up, assuming that purchase goes through, and demolish the stuff on that site, clean it up, make it look decent, and then we're prepared to move forward.”

Administration said the $50,791 would be charged to an account previously set up to track costs related to the Pilgrim/Mequon redevelopment effort and initially paid from village cash reserves. Krekelow said the board previously directed staff to begin the process of creating a tax increment district; if a TID is approved later, the village could seek reimbursement from TID funds. Krekelow told trustees the village’s cash-reserve figure is roughly $6 million; others at the meeting said the finance director had a more current figure near $8 million, a discrepancy noted during debate.

The board approved the contract in a roll-call vote; several trustees voted in favor and at least two voted against. After the vote, trustees asked staff to handle necessary pre-demolition steps, including hazardous-material inspection, well abandonment and septic pumping. Krekelow said lead/asbestos testing quotes were under $1,000 and that abatement would be brought back for board approval if it materially changed costs.

Context and related transactions: the board previously approved purchase agreements for three parcels in the Pilgrim/Mequon area. Krekelow referenced the purchase prices in the February packet: $1,700,000 for the Flower Source parcel, $700,000 for an adjacent vacant 1-acre parcel, and $5,000,000 for a property currently leased to Ascension/St. Mary’s (the latter closing tentatively scheduled for June 30). Krekelow said the initial closings this week would be paid from village cash reserves and could be reimbursed from a TID, if and when the board approves one.

Board members and residents raised additional implementation questions during the meeting: who would pump and cap the well, who would empty septic tanks, and whether landscaping after demolition would be handled by public works or outside contractors. Krekelow said those items would be addressed as separate, smaller contracts if needed and that the board would be brought back to approve any materially larger costs.

The board’s action clears the way for demolition once required environmental and public-safety steps are completed; trustees said they expect cleanup to make the property safer and more marketable for future redevelopment.","After heated public comment and debate over recent land purchases downtown, the Germantown Village Board approved a $50,791 contract to demolish unsafe buildings at the former Flower Source site and authorized using village cash reserves to pay the initial cost, with possible reimbursement from a future tax increment district (TID).","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Germantown board approves chief pay, several code changes; postpones $150,000 blanket PO for IT

Germantown Library reports 358,000 checkouts in 2024, highlights patio project and restored hours

Germantown amends code to allow hunting in Wilderness Park to accommodate DNR/MMSD grant terms

Germantown board approves $50,791 demolition contract for Flower Source site amid protests over purchases and funding