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Waldo trustees approve engineering work for Millpond amid $60,000 cost objection
Summary
The Village of Waldo Board of Trustees voted to approve engineering for the Waldo Millpond through the bidding phase, authorizing about $60,000 in preliminary work despite a lone dissent from Trustee Steve Bunnow who said more information was needed. Trustees also approved routine minutes, vouchers and the treasurer's report.
The Village of Waldo Board of Trustees voted March 10 to approve engineering work on the Waldo Millpond that will carry the project through the bidding phase, authorizing roughly $60,000 in preliminary spending.
The action came after Trustee Dennis Reinemann moved to authorize the engineering work and Trustee Mike Hintz seconded. The motion carried; Trustee Steve Bunnow cast a recorded nay, saying he “disagreed with spending $60,000 before all information has been gathered.”
The vote authorizes only engineering services through the bidding stage and does not itself authorize construction. During public comment, resident Becky Bauer asked whether the board would bring a proposed engineering plan and the total cost back to residents for a vote. Resident Travis Thomas urged trustees to consider alternatives, saying the Department of Natural Resources requires the village to take action but “the specific solution is not mandated,” and recommended exploring all options before committing to a path.
Beyond the millpond item, trustees handled routine business. Trustee Steve Bunnow moved and Trustee Jerry Hammarlund seconded approval of the minutes from Feb. 10 and Feb. 24; that motion carried. Trustee Mike Hintz moved and Trustee Jerry Hammarlund seconded approval of vouchers numbered 16693–19729 totaling $24,911.68; the board approved the vouchers. Trustee Hammarlund moved and Trustee Reinemann seconded approval of the treasurer's report as presented; the motion carried.
The board also received the February police report, which recorded 2 citations, 3 warnings, 95 property checks, 1 complaint, 15 hours of service and 129 miles traveled. President Dekker updated the board on a resolved issue in which garbage from outside the village had been left at a resident's property and said the village is working to move the Elizabeth Schweider Scholarship Fund from Wells Fargo to Waldo State Bank.
The meeting opened at 6:00 p.m. and adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
Votes at a glance • Approve Waldo Millpond engineering through bidding phase — Motion by Trustee Dennis Reinemann; seconded by Trustee Mike Hintz; outcome: approved (motion carried); recorded vote: Trustee Steve Bunnow voted nay; board present: President Dekker and four trustees. Estimated preliminary authorization: $60,000 (as recorded in the minutes). • Approve minutes (Feb. 10 & Feb. 24, 2025) — Motion by Trustee Steve Bunnow; seconded by Trustee Jerry Hammarlund; outcome: approved (motion carried). • Approve vouchers 16693–19729 ($24,911.68) — Motion by Trustee Mike Hintz; seconded by Trustee Jerry Hammarlund; outcome: approved (motion carried). • Approve treasurer's report — Motion by Trustee Jerry Hammarlund; seconded by Trustee Dennis Reinemann; outcome: approved (motion carried).
What’s next The engineering authorization moves the millpond effort into the design/bidding phase; any subsequent decisions to award bids or approve construction will require further board action and, potentially, public review or additional hearings if the board elects to present specific project costs for a resident vote.
