Following recent elections, the Village of Arena has experienced significant resignations, leaving it without a president, trustee, and clerk/treasurer. Complaints, including procedural violations and election irregularities, have been filed against officials. An emergency board meeting was convened to secure village operations and oversee financial audits, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability.
At the April 8 Board meeting, Arena Trustees addressed a clerical discrepancy regarding a candidate forum not listed in official reports, prompting questions from Trustee Uminowicz. The board also approved purchasing a new truck, discussed sewer maintenance issues, and voted on an ordinance for short-term rentals, including Airbnb.
This election, we’d be voting for Paul Pustina for Arena village president and Steve Wilkinson, Joseph Hipsky and Don Helt for village trustees. We encourage you to do the same.
We always wanted our first endorsements as an editorial board to be founded upon a well-thought out rubric that was replicable and transparent. We have not had the time or bandwidth to yet set up such a rubric. However, the stakes in the Village of Arena in the upcoming election on April 1 are so dire that we feel compelled to take a position as an editorial board.
The joint fire and EMS agreement between the Village and Town of Arena experienced a 17-hour lapse due to negotiations over a new contract extension. After separate meetings, both parties agreed to extend the current terms until November 8, 2024, amid concerns regarding funding discrepancies and fire service obligations.
The Village of Arena Board of Trustees held a special meeting to discuss separate fire and EMS agreements with the Town of Arena. Concerns were raised about the impact on morale and the absence of mutual aid in the EMS agreement. The board resolved formatting and grammatical issues, and the edited agreements will be reviewed by the village attorney and the Town of Arena.
The Village of Arena Board extended its policing agreement with Iowa County Sheriff’s office through 2025 and discussed liquidating surplus police equipment. The board also addressed emergency services issues, water services rebate, and public works matters. Additionally, they approved maintenance for the water tower, a payment for the new wellhouse project, and extended the sewer line project’s completion date. The board also considered the sale of the village’s cell tower to UScellular and voted against implementing a No Mow May ordinance.
The Village of Arena Board of Trustees discussed the results of a police survey, appointed a liaison to the Iowa County Sheriff’s office, and made appointments to the restructured Public Safety Committee. They also debated lawn height ordinance changes and empowered the clerk to apply for a water rate increase. Other topics included No Mow May, fireworks, cellular tower purchase, and a water rate increase application.
The board accepted the resignations of the entire Arena Police Department and debated the future of public safety services. They ultimately approved temporary agreements with the Iowa County Sheriff’s Department to provide police services. The board also accepted a resignation and the village president nominated a replacement, causing controversy over the president’s authority. The board meets again on June 4.
Trustee resigns amid arrest, village president seeks to fill vacancy with handpicked appointment as public safety concerns loom. Resignations of police officers and termination of Fire Protection and EMS Services Agreement raise concerns. New appointments and negotiations are pending. Lack of communication and resources hinders informed decision-making. Legal advisor addresses notice requirements and mutual aid agreements.
The Village of Arena Board of Trustees ended their automatic aid agreement with the Town of Arena, formed a new Public Safety Committee with mostly board members, and finalized a survey for residents to guide future decisions about police employment and budgeting. Trustee Melissa Bandell proposed rescinding the agreement based on Wisconsin Statute §66.0513. The board also discussed renegotiating the joint fire and EMS services contract with the Town of Arena.