Highlights from the Village of Hortonville Village Board Meetings of April 2 and April 16, 2026 found at https://www.hortonvillewi.org/meetings/
During its April sessions, the Hortonville Village Board authorized a $1,670,000 borrowing resolution to fund the upcoming Main Street reconstruction project and accepted a $50,000 state grant for Memorial Square. The Board also updated municipal purchasing policies to align with new legislation, authorized several infrastructure contracts, and addressed local citizen requests.
Large-Scale Funding and Main Street Planning
The Board unanimously adopted Resolution R-06-26, providing for the sale of approximately $1,670,000 in General Obligation Promissory Notes. Administrator Nathan Treadwell stated that this represents the initial borrowing phase for the Main Street reconstruction project. The notes carry a 15-year payback timeline and will be funded through Tax Increment Districts (TIDs) 4, 5, and 6. The Board opted to utilize a paid agent to administer the payments in an effort to maintain a stable tax levy limit.
Associated design and planning updates for the Main Street corridor included:
- Pedestrian Safety: Plans for a crosswalk on the east side of Olk Street near the health clinic to aid pedestrians when crossing guards are unavailable.
- Sidewalks & Trails: Incorporating a multimodal trail on the south side of Main Street and a standard sidewalk on the north side extending to Givens Road.
- Speed Adjustments: Reviewing a proposal to lower the speed limit to 25 mph before the railroad tracks near Spruce Street. Principal Engineer Ron Wolf noted that slowing traffic ahead of the tracks is advantageous because completing designs and securing approvals from the Office of the Commissioner of Railroads is “about a two-year process.”
Infrastructure Maintenance and Capital Expenditures
Public works, utilities, and administrative technology saw significant allocations across both meetings. The Board authorized the following expenditures through individual 7-0 roll call votes:
- IT Server Contract: Approved a $15,149.94 contract with VC3 for a new municipal server.
- Treatment Plant Blower: Approved the purchase of an Aerzen GM 25S blower motor for the wastewater treatment plant in the amount of $16,372.41, utilizing a dedicated line item in the budget.
- Street Maintenance: Accepted a crack-filling bid from Precision Seal Coating not to exceed $14,300 for Wildwood, Wildwind, Warner, and North Olk streets, contingent upon the submission of a Certificate of Insurance.
- Utility Repairs: Approved a $9,241.98 contract with Speedy Clean Drain & Sewer for annual sewer cleaning, and a $6,562 proposal from Turek’s Plumbing for wastewater treatment plant sewer lining.
- Office Equipment: Approved the purchase of a new Xerox copier not to exceed $8,715.43. The existing administrative copier will be transferred to the Police Department to replace a non-functioning unit.
Policy Adjustments and Grant Acceptance
In response to Wisconsin Assembly Bill 217, which raised the statutory public construction bidding threshold from $25,000 to $50,000, the Board revised its local Department Head Purchasing Policy. The updated policy ensures compliance with state statute 62.15 while preserving a local rule requiring Village Board approval for any unbudgeted purchase exceeding $5,000.
Additionally, the Village formally accepted a $50,000 Vibrant Spaces Grant contract from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to support enhancements at Memorial Square. Personnel guidelines were also updated via Resolution R-07-26, establishing a Public Works clothing allowance that features a $300 uniform embroidery stipend, a $200 boot allowance, and a $200 payroll check to ensure safety and employee recognition.
Parking Ordinances and Community Initiatives
The Board enacted No Parking Ordinance O-2-26 after removing a previously considered 14-day clause. Temporary summer parking restrictions were also established on Olk Street, limiting parking exclusively to the front of the high school following confirmation that the school district does not utilize the street for student pick-up or drop-off during the summer months.
In community developments, Chief of Police Brian Bahr introduced a new National Night Out Scholarship Fund. Funded via surplus balances from the annual “Police Lights of Christmas” event, the initiative will provide a $1,000 scholarship for a local high school senior pursuing a career in criminal justice or law enforcement, alongside sponsorships for two local recreation department students. The Board also authorized $2,500 to fund a Public Administration student internship for 2026, leveraging a West Central Municipal Association (WCMA) grant to cover the remaining half of the internship cost.
Citizen Requests and Administrative Actions
The Board evaluated two distinct citizen financial requests during its April 16 session:
- Water Bill Relief: Resident Luke Abitz requested financial consideration for a quarterly water bill totaling $1,604.05 (representing 80,000 to 90,000 gallons of usage), noting his historical average was consistently around $300. The Board voted 7-0 to deny the reimbursement request at this time, pending further technical investigation into the property’s water meter and water softener.
- Burial Fee Reimbursement: The Board approved an $800 reimbursement for the burial expenses of Loretta Bellile, contingent on a signed release by all parties. The reimbursement addresses an overcharge stemming from a clerical mapping error in the cemetery spreadsheet.
The April 16 meeting concluded with the annual appointment of citizen members to various municipal boards and commissions, including Planning & Zoning, Economic Development, and the Zoning Board of Appeals. President Jeanne Bellile extended official appreciation to outgoing Trustees Bob Jewell and Shauna Keel for their civic service, stating, “I think that is a thank you from all of us.”
Summary of Key Board Decisions
- Resolution R-06-26: Passed 7-0 to approve the sale of $1.67M in general obligation promissory notes for Main Street.
- Vibrant Spaces Grant: Passed 7-0 to accept the $50,000 WEDC contract for Memorial Square.
- Purchasing Policy: Passed 7-0 to adjust local purchasing rules in accordance with the new $50,000 state bidding threshold.
- Bellile Burial Reimbursement: Passed 7-0 to approve an $800 correction payout.
- Abitz Water Bill Request: Denied 7-0 pending further administrative review.
The Village Board formally reviewed and approved the minutes of these April proceedings during its subsequent meeting on May 7, 2026.
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