Faciliities study topic at Town of Hayward meeting

The status of Town of Hayward facilities was the major topic at the town’s annual meeting April 16, with about 50 people attending.

Interim town chairman Gary Gedart said a Request For Proposals to conduct the facilities study was sent out to six firms. Four firms responded. A five-member facilities planning committee interviewed the four and recommended that the town board hire Kraus-Anderson to do the analysis.

The other three firms that the committee interviewed were Market and Johnson, Northwest Builders and Hoeft Builders.

“We feel very confident in this firm (Kraus-Anderson),” Gedart said. “They analyze everything.

“A lot of things in here (town hall and fire hall) are not up to code and it’s drastically undersized,” Gedart said. He noted that the town hall, fire station and highway equipment buildings are built on a former sawmill site.

Board member Brenda Dettloff asked the townspeople to authorize the town board to sign a contract or contracts to complete their analysis of town-owned facilities and on-site soils this year and remove any language regarding a referendum.

Gedart responded that the board will “take this under advisement.”

Town board member Carol Williamson said she wants the board to :move forward one step at a time on this.

The town board and nine-member facilities planning committee set an April 23 meeting to meet with the consultant who will do an in depth analysis of town-owned facilities and grounds.

Chairman resigns

Also last week, Gedart submitted a letter to the town clerk stating that he is resigning as chairman effective May 1. His written resignation did not indicate a reason.

Town Clerk Bryn Hand said no meeting date has been set to appoint the new chairperson, and said an announcement will be posted as soon as it is decided when the board will hold that meeting.

Other topics

Other topics aired at the annual meeting:

•• A man said there is “a lot of confusion on what can be recycled” at the town transfer station and said more information needs to be posted.

•• A resident on Risberg Road complained of a lack of internet service in the town of Hayward, in contrast to the city of Hayward. She said the provider who received a federal grant to upgrade broadband “skipped my road.”

Board member Andrea Wittwer said that “this corridor out here (Hwy. 77 at town hall) is wonderful” for broadband service, but a few miles out, not so much.”

Gedart responded that “you have to get buy-in from a contractor.” He said he will check with Norvado.

Meeting attendees voted to hold next year’s annual town meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday April 16.