BUG TUSSEL, CAMPGROUND, DA, LITTLE CHICAGO ROAD DISCUSSED AT OCTOBER COUNTY MEETING

[My Northern Wisconsin]

   

The following is a summary of some of the topics at the October county board meeting.

BUG TUSSEL DISCUSSION

Regarding Bug Tussel, Board Member Paula Houdek asked County Administrator Nick Trimner, "I'm concerned that we had an agreement with them for 'x' amount of towers, and now we're not going to have some of those towers?"  Nick explained that Bug Tussel lost some funding that they were anticipating, but the number of towers has not been lost.  Price County will still be getting the same amount of towers, which was cited as ten.  Paula asked if cellular coverage would improve in some of the areas in Price County that do not have good connectivity.  "I don't believe there is a change in the original project," Nick told her.  Board Member Jeff Hallstrand added, "Bug Tussel made no promises to us about cellular coverage.  They said they partner with carriers, and where there are weak spots, they will go on those towers,....and I believe that is still the case."  Some board members wondered when a tentative start date would be for this project.  Paula stated that residents are expressing their frustrations at town meetings with the lack of progress on this project.  Nick said Bug Tussel is behind in other counties, too, because they took on a lot of counties.  "They overpromised, and they are delivering what they promised [just not as quickly]."  He believed some towers would be done by next summer.

SOLBERG LAKE CAMPGROUND EXPANSION PROJECT

"I think it's gonna be a great addition to our Price County camping.  It's gonna give another option to people," said Jeff Hallstrand.  The county is looking to put WiFi in the campground at some time.  In the new part, the rates have increased but not in the old part.  The new part is $45 per day for a single stay, $35 per day for one month, and $30 per day for a four month stay.  The county implemented an online booking system for the campground and is going to look to see if that option should be continued.  Board Member Jordan Spacek pointed out that the locals liked it because they did not have to reserve early and pay more; they could just reserve the days they wanted.  However, then the campground did not make as much money as it would have had they had to reserve the spot days earlier.  Nick thinks having the entire park online will be more convenient without the need for cash-handling and a better user experience since campers can use the QR code on the post to reserve a site.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY UPDATE

Since Price County's District Attorney resigned this summer, the position has not been filled by the governor at the time of publication.  However, John Luetscher is the special prosecutor who is in the office three to four days per week during this interim period.  According to the Price County District Attorney's office, he is retired and is from Brown County.

HWY. 13 / LITTLE CHICAGO ROAD / HWY. 111 INTERSECTION

Board Member Larry Palecek said, "Both the sheriff and highway departments are doing whatever is possible to increase safety at this dangerous intersection.  The Town of Worcester is looking at the topic, as well.  There was discussion about adding rumble strips, flashing lights, and a flashing stop sign and possible re-design of the intersection.  It has been flagged as one of Wisconsin's intersections with a high chance of accidents based on history.  So, it's on our agenda for our road tour."  He added that if we wait for the state, it could take years for anything to get done, so they are looking at what can be done locally.  Board Member Michelle Drobnik said she is not saying that something should not be done, but since the state controls those roads, she asked if the county does anything to improve the intersection, if there is a chance for reimbursement from the state.  Nick said that there are a lot of suggestions being made to the state by the county officials, but the state will not allow the county to do anything on their own on the state roads.  Nick said the county department did put up additional signs on Little Chicago Road as those areas are out of the state's right of way.  The state would reimburse the county if it was state approved.


The Phillips Public Library, located at 286 Cherry Street in Phillips, has lots of activities and events planned for this month.  Visit the library's website for more information.