Highlights from the Village of Hortonville Board Meetings: February 5, February 19, and March 5, 2026 found at: https://www.hortonvillewi.org/meetings/
The Hortonville Village Board moved forward on several key community initiatives during its recent sessions, approving a new burning ordinance, securing property for bridge construction, and reviewing the extensive regional impact of the local library. While infrastructure projects like the Main Street reconstruction and the Highway 76 roundabout dominated discussions, the Board also focused on internal public safety updates and accessibility improvements for municipal buildings.
Public Safety and Ordinance Updates
The Board took formal action to modernize local regulations and support police department operations:
- New Burning Ordinance: The Board unanimously approved Ordinance O-1-26, which updates outdoor burning regulations. Fire Chief Kuhnke noted that a new permit form will be available online, and the department will be dispatched via 911 calls to ensure safety compliance.
- Police Union MOU: An updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was approved to address the “flex officer” position. The update simplifies scheduling language and transitions the officer clothing allowance from a reimbursement system to a direct payout.
- Equipment Grants: Chief of Police Bahr announced the receipt of a $700 grant for a new preliminary breath testing unit.
Infrastructure and Development
Significant progress was made regarding regional transportation and local facility maintenance:
- Highway 76 & JJ Detour: The Board discussed the upcoming closure of the HWY 76 and County JJ intersection for roundabout construction starting June 1, 2026. Concerns were raised regarding the detour route moving to Olk Street, potentially impacting school traffic. Administrator Treadwell noted the County aims to finish the Nash and Main Street intersection by the end of August.
- Property Sale for Bridge Project: The Board approved selling 364 square feet of village property to Outagamie County for $345.80 to facilitate a bridge project and watershed cleanup.
- Main Street Reconstruction: Discussions continued regarding downtown crosswalks. Trustee Arendt Vanden Heuvel suggested moving a planned crosswalk to the west side of Pine Street to better serve the nineteen businesses located there and to gain an additional parking spot.
- Facility Maintenance: The Board accepted a $8,940 quote from Dorner for an actuator valve replacement at the plant and approved $2,375 for ADA doorway upgrades at the Library and Village Hall to improve wheelchair accessibility.
The Library’s Regional Impact
Library Director Alexandrea Krause provided a detailed report on the library’s service reach following “Library Legislative Day” in Madison:
- Service Population: Despite the Village’s small size, the library serves a “library desert,” drawing users from Greenville, Grand Chute, Dale, Ellington, and Shiocton.
- Usage Statistics: Only 26% of the 4,400 registered users actually reside in Hortonville. Furthermore, only 17-18% of the 84,000 annual checkouts are by village residents.
- Essential Services: Beyond books, the library remains a critical hub for faxing, printing, and tax forms, generating approximately $1,600 in revenue from these services last year.
Citizen Input and Community Business
- New Local Business: Aimee Hagen introduced P4:13 Wine and Spirits Lounge to the Board, describing it as an “upscale yet welcoming” establishment focused on community connection and responsible service.
- Stormwater Concerns: Resident Monica Hager expressed concerns regarding a FEMA flood hazard zone, noting that existing pipes may be too small to prevent basement flooding even with cleaning.
- Environmental Initiatives: The Board discussed “Less Mow May” as a voluntary option for residents to support pollinators by suspending grass-cutting height requirements during the month of May.
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