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Officer reports set Sept. 1 deadline for dog and junk cleanup compliance; Board approves several maintenance and service items
Summary
Officer Small reported barking-dog complaints with a Sept. 1 compliance deadline, multiple junk-cleanup follow-ups, a post-tournament camping incident, and recommended policing equipment; the Board approved tree removal cost-sharing, a sidewalk cost-share, submitted a county-aid petition for road work, and noted Republic Services will honor the town's sanitation contract.
Officer Small told the Village Board on Aug. 4 that three complaints had been filed about persistent dog barking on 4th Street; he contacted the owner and set a compliance deadline of Sept. 1, 2025 to reduce the number of dogs to five. Officer Small said the resident was cooperative but warned that failure to comply could result in daily citations or an administrative warrant to seize and rehome animals at the owner's expense; the resident later contacted the Sheriff's Office about the officer's presence but did not file a formal complaint after being given a complaint form.
Officer Small also reported that a group from Iowa camped at the Community Park after a softball tournament and — due to intoxication levels — were asked to remain that night rather than be removed; they were advised to apply for a Special Use Permit in the future and left the area clean. He reported continuing junk-cleanup enforcement with most properties given a Sept. 1 deadline; one parcel showed no progress and may face enforcement action. Officer Small said the village has received a new uniform, a village truck is being used for ordinance enforcement, business cards were ordered, and a new police phone number is active; he recommended a future committee meeting to plan proper policing equipment to allow traffic enforcement.
On public works, Keith Leitzinger reported crews removed and trimmed trees that blocked drivers' sightlines and are monitoring a lightning-struck tree in the square park (expected to recover). The Board approved removing a village-owned tree on Third Street and sharing the cost with the homeowner (motion by McLimans, seconded by Allen). Leitzinger also reported the need to replace a storm drain on Pleasant Street and repair the intersection of County A and 1st Street and was directed to obtain repair estimates for the 2026 budget. The Board approved paying one-half the cost for sidewalk replacement at 628 4th Street (motion by McLimans, seconded by Mergen) and voted to complete and return the petition for 2026 County Aid Construction funds to the Grant County Highway Department (motion by Moris, seconded by Atterbury).
Separately, the Board noted Republic Services' acquisition of Town and Country Sanitation and that Republic Services will honor the existing contract; residents were warned collection times for garbage and recycling may shift later in the day. The meeting included a closed session under Statute 19.85(1)(c) for personnel matters and later reconvened in open session.
The Board asked maintenance and clerical staff to prepare repair estimates and to publish utility rates and charge schedules online as part of ongoing transparency measures.
