Waldo trustees approve engineering outreach on Millpond spillway, sell two DPW trucks and adopt zoning restriction on storage containers

WALDO, Wis. — The Village of Waldo Board of Trustees on May 11 approved a package of operational actions including outreach to a new engineering firm on the Millpond Dam spillway, the sale of two older Department of Public Works trucks, and a change to zoning that prohibits shipping containers and similar storage units in residential neighborhoods.

President Travis Thomas called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. and the board moved quickly through routine business — approving minutes from April 13, accepting the Treasurer's Report and authorizing payment of vouchers and payroll liabilities totaling $30,166.24.

Why it matters: The board's decision to contact Stantec follows cancellation of the village's contract with Ayres for work on the Millpond Dam spillway. Trustee Becky Bauer moved to initiate contact with Stantec and Trustee Jerome Hammarlund urged the board to do a better job informing residents about the scope and status of the spillway project, an administrative concern that will affect community outreach and next steps.

On fleet and facilities, DPW Mike Kitzerow reviewed legal requirements for disposing of municipal vehicles; Trustees approved a motion by Trustee Steve Bunnow to sell two older DPW trucks on Wisconsin Municipal Auction. The board also approved building plans submitted by GK Machine: Chris Herzog of A.C.E. Building Service and Greg Konz of GK Machine presented design plans, utility-connection proposals and driveway options, and the board approved the plans “as drawn,” allowing either a blacktop driveway or no driveway.

Zoning and licensing actions: The board adopted Ordinance 2026-04, as revised by Clerk/Treasurer Lisa Gillette to remove Commercial, Industrial and Agricultural zones, which creates a new zoning provision ($195-15) prohibiting shipping containers, portable storage units and storage trailers in residential districts. The board reviewed a preliminary draft fence ordinance but took no action pending a public hearing and referral to the Plan Commission. The board approved committee and Plan Commission nominations and granted operator licenses to Heather Heinen, Monica L. Daniels and Kali M. Farber after Clerk Gillette reported that background checks returned clear; President Thomas abstained from that vote.

Public safety and insurance: The Waldo Fire Department reported two calls and two village fire alarms; the department also confirmed delivery of “Tender 2” with graphics and remaining floor work yet to be completed. Clerk Gillette explained that several fire trucks exceed replacement-coverage thresholds in the village’s auto-physical-damage policy; the insurer offered agreed-value coverage for those trucks at an additional annual cost of $4,707, which the board approved.

Administration and next steps: Facing vacancies in the Village Administrator and DPW Director posts, the board adopted Resolution 2026-07 to establish interim administrative and operational authority for the President and Clerk/Treasurer so day-to-day operations can proceed with clearer responsibilities. The board discussed extraterritorial zoning and Wis. Stat. 62.23(7a) but tabled any action pending further consideration; the Board of Zoning Appeals nominations were also tabled until June.

The meeting ended at 7:17 p.m. with the board adjourning following a motion by Trustee Steve Bunnow. The board did not receive public comment during the meeting.

Officials quoted or referenced in this report include President Travis Thomas; Clerk/Treasurer Lisa Gillette; Trustees Jerome Hammarlund, Becky Bauer, Steve Bunnow and Joshua Behr; DPW Mike Kitzerow; Chris Herzog of A.C.E. Building Service, Inc.; and Greg Konz of GK Machine.