Hello! It has been awhile since you have seen a newsletter. We thought you would appreciate these updates of what has been happening with the Village and Water/Sewer Utilities.
VILLAGE GOVERNMENT
A new Village Administrator position was created with the passage of Resolution 2017-02. To quote the Resolution: “consistent oversight by an administrator can help the municipality maintain implementation of its long term planning”. Bruce Neerhof was chosen and agreed to wear this hat along with his Building Inspector hat and Utility Department hats. He has been a huge asset to the Village and Utility. We are privileged and thankful to have him serving Waldo and bringing his hometown passion to the work he provides.
The website received a facelift and went live in November 2017. Check out www.villageofwaldo.com. If you would like a photo of your business, business vehicle or logo included in an upcoming slideshow on the site, contact Michelle (clerk@villageofwaldo.com) . A history page is still a goal for the site. Want to help?
Our current Village Board of Trustees includes President Gary Dekker (thanks for coming out of retirement!), and Trustees Jerome Hammarlund, Chris Madgwick, Michael Hintz and Mark Spitz. Mark and Michael are currently running for re-election in April. Join us the second Monday of the month at 6:00 and get involved with our community. Both the Village Board and Utility Board meetings are now on the same night. The Utility Board meets immediately after the Village Board. Agendas and Minutes can be found on the website or posted at the Bank, Post Office or Village Hall.
The following are reports on the utility departments and public works department from Bruce Neerhof
WALDO PARK
A new roof was installed on the restrooms at the park. New basketball hoops were installed, and a new volleyball standard and net. Trees were trimmed or removed. Plans are being made to upgrade the park shelter electrical system and repair the chimney on the grill.
MEMORIAL HALL
Trees were removed and trimmed on the Memorial Hall grounds. Parking lot spaces were repainted. The gym floor was refinished.
VILLAGE HALL
A new roof was put on the fire department and well house. Plans for 2019 are being developed to upgrade the fire department electrical system and add a standby generator to power the Village Hall, fire department, and well house. The Village Hall will be made ADA compliant. This will involve modifications to the restrooms, entrances, and parking.
STREETS
The final layer of asphalt was laid on Depot Street over the newly installed culvert. Guardrails were installed over the culvert. A short in a circuit was repaired on the streetlights in Hunters Grove. Parking stalls in the Village Hall, Memorial Hall and Post office areas were repainted. Various streets in the village were crack filled. High Street will be repaved in 2019 using funding from the state and sales tax revenue from the county.
BUILDING INSPECTION
The building permit schedule and fees were updated and clarified.
HOLIDAY DECORATIONS
New U.S. display flags were used for holidays in 2017. Refurbishing of some of the older Christmas decorations has been done and more improvements are currently being pursued.
VILLAGE GROWTH
We have seen the exciting addition of new businesses in town. DWSchneider Engineering built on Mowtown Drive and houses their business as well as GK Machines, LLC. The Waldo State Bank has built a beautiful new facility on Hwy 28. Ferrell Gas Co. has brought their tank operation from Kohler. All American HVAC is building a new warehouse/shop/office along Hwy 57 on High Street.
A report on the WALDO SEWER UTILITY:
CMOM
The Capacity Management Operation & Management (CMOM) program was completed by staff. Wisconsin administrative code required Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 210.23 requires that all owners of collection systems develop and implement a Capacity, Management, Operation and Maintenance Program by August 1, 2016. A CMOM Program is to assure that a sewage system is properly managed, operated and maintained at all times; has adequate capacity to convey peak flows; and all feasible steps are taken to eliminate excessive infiltration and inflow from the system. A CMOM Program must mitigate the impact of overflows on waters of the state, the environment and public health.
PHOSPHORUS REMOVAL
In the Village of Waldo’s wastewater discharge permit issued by the DNR, the Waldo wastewater plant must remove phosphorus in its effluent to a monthly limit that varies from 1.9-3.9 parts per million by 2022. Waldo uses a recirculating sand filter to treat its wastewater. Because recirculating sand filters are not designed to remove phosphorus, Waldo faced expensive treatment alternatives that would have required plant expansion with costs estimated at $500,000. In the summer of 2016 Waldo conducted a pilot test using a new rare earth metal product in liquid form to remove phosphorus. Two gallons per day were added by a chemical feed pump to the head of the plant before the septic tanks. The rare earth metal called RE-100, quickly reacts with phosphorus to form a dense precipitate which quickly settles out of solution in the septic tanks. After a four month trial, results were successful. The effluent averaged 1.5 parts per million, below the most stringent monthly limit of 1.9 ppm. There were not detrimental affects to the sand filter. The findings were presented to the DNR in a required report. The plan was approved by the DNR. Waldo will be able to add approximately $8,000 of RE-100 a year to remove phosphorus and avoid an expensive upgrade to the wastewater plant.
SLUDGE & GREASE REMOVAL
The Waldo wastewater plant has septic tanks with 195,000 gallon capacity located before the sand filters to settle out solids. The solids form a sludge at the bottom of the septic tanks. The first septic tank is baffled and traps grease that floats to the top. The grease and sludge was removed and trucked to a larger wastewater plant for processing and land disposal. Waldo now uses a product containing bacterial cultures and enzymes to naturally reduce the sludge and grease. The result was a reduction in sludge and grease biologically; resulting in half the cost to have the sludge and grease removed and trucked.
AUTOMATON
Automation of samplers and effluent monitoring equipment was completed in 2016. This reduced time spent at the wastewater plant, reduced labor cost, and made scheduling flexible. This included an upgrade to the SCADA system so now operators can monitor the plant remotely by cell phone. A new influent wastewater pump was installed with an automatic flush valve. The flush valve keeps the pumps manhole free of accumulating grease and thus eliminated costly cleaning.
WET TESTING
The Waldo wastewater discharge permit required that the effluent discharge be tested for toxicity in 2016. The wastewater effluent toxicity (WET) test passed showing no toxicity in Waldo’s discharge.
SANITARY SEWER COLLECTION SYSTEM
An electronic rain gauge was installed at the wastewater and connected to the SCADA system. This rain gauge graphs rainfall intensity versus influent flow rate. Data will be used to analyze clear water coming into the sewer system and to determine success in removing clear water. One third of the sanitary sewer collection system was cleaned and televised. The cleaning will prevent possible backups of clogged sewers and prepared the way for televising of the sewers. Areas televised that showed clear water leaking into the sewer shall be budgeted for repairs. Both the rain gauge and cleaning and televising of the sewer will satisfy elements of the Waldo CMOM program. Homeowners can help with this concern by making sure their sump pump and rain gutter discharge doesn’t flow into the sanitary sewer. Clearwater overloads the sanitary sewer pipes and wastewater treatment plant.
A report on the WATER UTILITY:
WATER TOWER MIXER
A mixer was installed in the water tower after problems with the tower freezing in subzero weather. (This has occurred in previous years.) Freezing reduces volume and the ice can cause tank damage. The installation was a success. The mixer keeps the water from stratifying to different temperature zones. The water temperature throughout the water tower is maintained to within one degree Celsius. Since the installation, Waldo has been able to keep the tank full during the winter months with no icing problems. The levels of chlorine residual have become more consistent requiring less treatment as well. This has provided a cost savings for the community. Water quality has also improved.
NEW PHOSPHATE ADDITION
Waldo adds a phosphate product to the water supply to sequester the iron and manganese in the water. The phosphate product was changed to a more effective and less costly product.
WATER TOWER INSPECTION
The DNR requires the water tower to be inspected every five years. The water tower was professionally inspected by a water tower company. The inspection found the water tower in relatively good repair. It was recommend that the water tower be painted soon. Plans are to paint the water tower in the summer of 2018. The rental income from the cell towers on the water tower have helped us be able to do this painting.
FIRE HYDRANTS
In addition to normal maintenance and flushing, all fire hydrants have been painted.
WATER PUMPHOUSE
Upgrades to the well pump controls were made for more accurate water tower level monitoring and control. Plans are being developed to replace the motor control center board and add a soft start to the pump.
VALVE EXCERCISING
After water system valves are exercised, valves that need repair will be prioritized and replaced.
WATER METERS
The water utility will continue to replace 24 residential water meters a year with new radio reads. Our Public Works employee, Mike Kitzerow, estimates that 85% of the Village will have radio read meters by the end of 2018.
WATER/SEWER BILLING
Per the PSC tariff for Waldo, the water/sewer customers began receiving late charge penalties on their utility bills in 2017. The PSC tariff is unique to each community, but based on State Statutes. Watch the due dates at the bottom of your bills. If you use online bill pay through your bank, please be aware that your payment may take
7 days from online request to arrival in the office. You will always have at least 20 days to pay the bill.
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOUR CALENDARS
- Zumba re-starts January 10, 2018-held Wednesdays at Memorial Hall (residents receive discounts!)
- January 31, 2018 5:30 Village Hall-Coordination Plan update meeting (all welcome)
- February 20, 2018 Primary election
- March 11, 2018 annual Waldo Fire Department brat fry-Memorial Hall
- April 3, 2018 Spring election
- April 28, 2018 annual Waldo Lions Club Pork Chop Dinner-Memorial Hall
- June 16, 2018 Carp Derby at Mill Pond
- July 28, 2017 Mill Pond Improvement Association brat fry at Plymouth Piggly Wiggly 9-2 p.m.
- August 31-Sep.3, 2018 Sheboygan County Fair
- August 14, 2018 Partisan Primary
- October 5, 2018 annual Waldo Fire Dept. fish fry/fire safety event at Village Hall
- November 6, 2018 General Election (Governor, judges, Trustees)
- November 12, 2018 Public Hearing on Village Budget, Board meetings follow
Happy New Year! Michelle Brecht, Clerk-Treasurer, 920-528-8121 clerk@villageofwaldo.com