Spring Green, Wisconsin
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020 Vol. 1, No. 1 Free, Single-Copy
Wisconsin Water Alliance presents award to Novak, Marion questions motive Quincy Aston-Lott, Managing Editor Madison, Wis. – Last week, the Wisconsin Water Alliance (WWA) presented its first ever Outstanding Water Legislator of the Year Award to five state lawmakers, including Representative Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville). The WWA is a non-partisan, state-
New developments, gadgets coming to Plain
wide organization whose mission is, “to protect the state’s water resources and advocate for sound water policies that benefit families, cities, businesses, farmers, and others.” The award was presented to legislators, “who are leading efforts to address the pressing water issues facing the state. The award recognizes a commitment to advancing
sound water policy that protects the environment while allowing the resource to power our state’s economic engine,” according to their release. Mike Huebsch, WWA president, praised Novak when announcing the awards, “Wisconsin Water Alliance is pleased to present the Outstanding Water Legislator of the Year Award
to Representative Todd Novak for his demonstrated commitment to protecting our state’s water resources. From recreation to industry, water is central to Wisconsin’s success and requires reasonable action that addresses the diverse water-related issues facing our state.”
See Alliance page 8
Last Spring Green farmers market of the season
Emilie Conlon, Editor-in-chief
Village contracts for construction services The Plain Village board approved contracts for development of a housing subdivision and project on Nachreiner Avenue at its Oct. 14 board meeting. The board contracted with Strand Associates, an engineering company out of Madison, to design building plans for a housing subdivision. The village will provide sewer lines for the housing development, and Kraemer Brothers construction in Plain will be involved in construction. According to the contract, the project is projected to be completed by December 2021. The village also contracted with Strand Associates to handling the bidding process and inspection for a construction Project on Nachreiner Avenue, which will be constructed concurrently with the housing development. “We had a discussion with Strand Associates, they’re going to pigtail this on the Nachreiner project,” said Village President, Raymond Ring. “It will help from the standpoint of having people on site.” The Nachreiner Avenue project is expected to be completed in December 2021. The village board also approved the use of funds for a 2021 Ford F550 snow plowing truck, for $45,169, and the use of funds to purchase a John Deere loader for the public works department, for $74,223. “When we bought the loader, the agreement was to always try and turn it in 10 years for resale value, we ended up getting $80,000 for it [the previous loader], and a new loader only cost us like $74,000, so the resale value idea worked out really well,” said John Ruhland, public works director. “We got $44,000 for the plow truck we had, it worked out good with the resale value again.”
See Construction page 8
Photo by Emilie Conlon, Editor-in-chief Patrons pick up seasonal goods, fresh fruit and vegetables, baked goods and coffee at the last Spring Green outdoor farmers market of the season on Saturday. The market will continue with pre-ordered, pick up in the parking lot of the Spring Green Library, starting Oct. 24. For a full list of vendors available for pre-order, see page 6.
Clerks report having plenty of poll works for Nov. 3 Emilie Conlon, Editor-in-Chief Clerks in villages and townships around the area have said they are seeing a high number of absentee ballots requested, but are prepared for in-person voting for the Nov. 3 election. Clerks throughout the area have reported having plenty of poll workers to take on in-person voting on election day, many with enough for alternates. In the town of Spring Green, Clerk Vicki Terpstra said the office expects to have plenty of volunteer poll workers for election day, and actually had the opportunity to train all new poll workers prior to the April election, that will also be volunteering in November. “We actually had a whole new crew that we had to start up in April,” said
Terpstra. “It’s been good, we’ve had a lot of people step up to the plate.” While area clerks expect to have enough poll workers, Sauk County Clerk Becky Evert in a press release stated that many municipalities in the county were in need of poll workers for election day. According to the press release, any citizen over can serve as a poll worker, and is encouraged to apply by contacting Evert via email, at becky.evert@saukcountywi.gov. Town of Clyde Clerk Deanna Brennum expects to have plenty of poll workers on election day, but still encourages residents to volunteer, as COVID-19 has caused a state-wide shortage.
“I have my poll workers in place with alternates if someone is not able to make it,” said Brennum. “If you are interested in becoming a poll worker, please contact your county clerk. Because of COVID-19, there is shortage and poll workers are needed throughout the state. While in-person absentee voting began Tuesday, and the deadline to request an absentee ballot passed, village and town clerks have reported high numbers of absentee ballots. Village of Spring Green Clerk Wendy Crary said over 500 absentee ballots have been requested.
See Election page 8