Taylor Scott, Managing Editor
The Spring Green Village Board met May 12 to introduce the new village public works director, take up a request for the Chamber car show downtown and to consider placement of solar powered speed signs on STH 23.
Solar powered speed signs
Taking up an item that was first considered at the last board meeting, the board approved placement of solar powered speed signs on STH 23/Winsted Street.
During the last meeting, members of the board questioned if placing the signs permanently on STH 23 would create negative connotations to visitors and voiced concerns about the brightness of the signs, while generally agreeing that the signs would serve the intended purpose of slowing down speeding traffic on the highway, which is in a residential area.
The speed signs will be funded from a donation by Cardinal Glass. At least six residents voiced support for the speed signs ahead of the meeting in letters and emails to the board. No residents spoke against the placement.
“I have found that there is an increasing number of speeders and an increasing number of semi trucks and motorcycles passing my house and most of these vehicles are speeding,” wrote Mary Friedel-Hunt, a resident on Winsted Street. “Winsted Street is primarily a residential street that happens to be a highway. We have children and families as well as bicycles on this street every day. It is a family area. The speeders make this street dangerous and noisy.”
Friedel-Hunt shared that she has seen speed signs like the ones being considered work in Dodgeville.
“People are welcome to our village of course but that also means they have a responsibility to obey our speed limits for the safety of everyone,” said Friedel-Hunt, as she ended by thanking the board for supporting the effort.
“Folks fly down the residential stretch of 23,” wrote resident Bryan Quigley, who noted that he felt safety outweighed any negative perceptions the signs might bring. “I think & feel a sign would help slow the pace of traffic cruising through or entering town. Two thumbs up from me.” The board moved forward with the approval of the signs unanimously.
New public works director
The board was formally introduced to new public works director, Adam Reno, who started on May 3.
“He’s been rock solid so far,” shared Village Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer Wendy Crary. “Nothing but good things to say!”
Crary shared that former public works director Greg Wipperfurth’s official retirement date will be August 2. He is assisting with the village treatment plant and has been available to help Reno transition.
2021 Car Show downtown
After being cancelled last year due to COVID-19, the Spring Green Area Chamber of Commerce annual Car Show was given the go-ahead to move forward this year.
The board took up a request from Julie Jensen, executive director of the Chamber to close downtown streets for the 2021 Car Show to be held on Saturday, Aug. 21, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Jensen stated that cars showing would be parked in every other stall, with 8 to 10 feet between cars, to allow for social distancing. Jensen said the event will follow all of the Sauk County Health Department’s guidelines.
“We want to make sure that if people are looking at one car they’re not standing directly next to the person looking at the other car,” said Jensen. “So we’re trying to space it out so people can move free and so that basically people are not standing on top of one another.”
Jensen said that parking lots downtown will be open to regular customers of downtown businesses as well. There will be no outside food vendors at the car show this year, instead the Chamber will offer spaces in front of member downtown businesses to those that offer food.
The board approved the Chamber’s request unanimously.
In other business
- The board heard from Todd Deibert, of Jewell Associates Engineers, Inc. regarding easements for the Woodbury Sanitary Sewer Project. Deibert is working with Village Attorney Allan Peckham on a deed restriction, at the request of a resident, that would ensure the village will never build a water tower on the property it owns on the cul-de-sac off Woodbury Drive.
- The board appointed Aaron Halverson to the Technology and Telecommunications committee.