New downtown lounge introduced; resident urges nature-based steps after basement flooding

At the start of public comment at the Village of Hortonville Board meeting on March 5, business owner Amy Hagen introduced herself and her planned establishment, "p 4 13 Wine and Spirits Lounge," at 208 West Main Street. Hagen described the lounge as an "upscale yet welcoming" spot for adults offering creative wines, handcrafted cocktails, premium spirits, charcuterie boards and small plates and said she intended the business to be community focused and responsibly staffed.

Later in the public-comment period, Monica Hager — presented on the preregistration list — asked the board to address drainage and flooding for properties behind Lake Shore Drive. Hager said a consultant or correspondent had identified the area as within a FEMA flood hazard zone and cited a "0.2% chance of flooding every year." She said the water table in the area is high, described local springs and recounted that her own basement had flooded, costing about $9,000 to repair.

Hager urged the village to consider smaller, nature-based solutions such as rain gardens, native plantings and rain barrels to slow runoff rather than relying solely on cleaning ditches. She said regrading and installing a larger pipe would be expensive for the 29 affected residents (she estimated a roughly $200,000 project translating to more than $7,000 per household), and said some residents she spoke with opposed grading because it would primarily benefit a few who want to mow lawns.

Board members thanked the speakers and did not take immediate action; the public comments were entered into the meeting record.