Stetsonville board approves $33,000 survey to advance regionalization project

The Village of Stetsonville board on Aug. 11 approved a $33,000 contract with Short Elliot Hendrickson for a topographical survey intended to advance a regionalization project that village leaders said is being structured to attract loans and grants. The motion to sign the contract was moved by Trustee Will McCarron and seconded by Trustee Al Riemer and was recorded as all ayes.

Consultants Dave Walter and Brea Grace of Short Elliot Hendrickson outlined next steps for the project and the schedule needed to keep it on track. The survey is described as one of the initial technical steps; if the project proceeds on the current timeline, bids would be advertised in January 2027, the board was told. Alex Zenner attended as a representative of the City of Medford.

Why it matters: The topographical survey will be used in engineering and funding applications for a multi-jurisdictional infrastructure effort. Board members said moving quickly on the survey preserves the project schedule and supports readiness for grant and loan procurement.

What the board approved: The board authorized the $33,000 contract for the survey with Short Elliot Hendrickson; no alternative contractors or competitive bid details were recorded in the minutes. The contract signing was presented as a procedural step toward later procurement and construction phases.

Next steps: The survey will begin as scheduling allows; consultants said subsequent design and permitting work would follow and that advertising for bids could occur in January 2027 if the project continues on the projected timeline.