VILLAGE OF LA FARGE

                 Regular Board Meeting          Monday, February 9, 2026

                                                                                    

1). Village President Aaron Nemec called the regular meeting of the La Farge Village Board to order at 6:30 p.m. at the Emergency Services building, at 201 South Cherry Street.

 

Roll Call - Present at the meeting:

All Board members: Barb Melvin, Dave Fish, Jill Stoltz, Karen Leis, Cathy St. John, Terry Jensen (via phone), and Aaron Nemec.

Also: News reporter Lonnie Muller, Public Works Manager Wayne Haugrud, Police Chief Steven Palmer, and Village Clerk Kimberly Walker.

            

2). Verification was given of meeting publishing in the La Farge Episcope, and of posting at the Farmers State Bank, La Farge Post Office, and Village Office on Friday, February 6, 2026.    

         

3). Melvin moved, Leis seconded to approve the previous meetings minutes which were sent out via email in advance: (1-12-2026/Regular Village board meeting). (Carried).    

             

4). Correspondence: Reminder of the upcoming La Farge Fire Department’s annual banquet on March 7, 2026, which all board members and employees are invited to.

   

5). Public Comment: None.

 

6). Utility business: PWM Wayne Haugrud reported on the following:  

**The bids for the Adams Street project are going out soon, with the bid opening March 5th. At the March 9th board meeting, looking to approve a contractor. Then we need to think of a start date for the contract, to work around the 4th of July and school activities. Aaron will check on the school schedule.    

**We have hopefully made the last phosphorus discharge variance payment to Vernon County Land & Water, for $4,208. This was from January 1, 2025, to October 1, 2025. We used our water quality trading credits for the rest of the year. There should be no payment, or a very small one for 2026.   

**As discussed, prior, we’re working on a disinfection upgrade at the wastewater treatment plant, to get rid of the chlorine and sodium bisulfate for the disinfection season, (May to October), that reduces bacteria going into the river. We’re proposing an ultraviolet system, which will eliminate the need for chemicals (costing us $25,000+ a year). Delta 3 has submitted the plans to the DNR for this upgrade. We hope to have this in place by May 1st. Cost of the project is $150,000. This was to be paid from the TIF, but there’s not enough in the funds to pay for it. We’re working with the auditors on funds. Wayne invited the board members to a field trip if anyone wants to see it.   

 

7). Old Business: None.     

 

8). Vernon County Community Development is again offering their $10,000 matching grant, with the application due in March. (Previous projects we were awarded funds include the shelter in Sandmire Park, upgrades to the Veterans Memorial, and a new tornado siren). Wayne proposed two options. The first was updating the playground equipment in Bean Park (which is 28 years old). The second was cement pads for some of the RV campsites in the Village Park, which are currently gravel. Each site is about 12’ X 50’ and approximately $6,000+ each. The board was interested in applying for the pads this year. For the playground equipment, will continue to fix/maintain things in need of repair. Fish moved, Stoltz seconded to approve applying for the matching grant funds for 4 cement pads in the village park. (Carried).         

 

9). Received four operator license applications:

*Jessica Slaney - completed the training on 1-21-26 and background check was clear.

*Heidi Pickett – completed the training on 1-17-2026 and background check was clear.

*Tanya Nemec – completed the training on 1-12-2026 and background check was clear.

*Tiffany Glass – completed the training on 7-6-2025 and background check was clear.

**Fish moved, St. John seconded to approve the four licenses. (Carried).

 

10). Mark Campbell is offering to gift the village 4 lots of land, between Spring Street and South Pearl Street on the South of town, and one lot in Lakeview Addition. He asks in return for the Village to pay the 2025 property taxes, which are $112.25 on the 4 lots and $2.55 on the other and legal fees. (A map and description of the lots were sent earlier with the board packets for review). Discussed there may be options down the road for them. Melvin moved, Fish seconded to accept the gifts of land. (Carried).     

 

11). The Auditors were at the Village last week. When reviewing the old CDBG Revolving loan fund program the village had years back, there was a loan on property located at 520 E. Penn Street, for $11,660.74 that is non-collectible. The property was sold by the County and there weren’t enough proceeds from the sale to pay back the loan. Per their request, this should be formally written off. St. John moved, Leis seconded to approve to write off this loan. (Carried).                       

    

12). Police report: Chief Steve Palmer reported on the following:

**Deb Korus has started her work as Administrative Assistant/Evidence Custodian and is doing well. She is registered for an upcoming records law course in Appleton.  

**The Vent Hood we received from the MEG Unit is now in service. Employees Dustin Nemec and Adam Schlicht helped put it together.

 

13). Committee Reports/Updates:

**Nuisance Property: Jill said they’re proposing another cleanup day, sometime in April, and meeting soon to discuss a plan, fees, hours, etc. This will be brought back to the March board meeting to act on. 

**Dave said the VFW is getting an old mailbox to paint up for flag disposal. Maybe get the school to help with the project and looking for a place to put it. Will put this on next month’s agenda for placement. 

**Library: Barb reported things are going well. The winter Bingo reading program is underway, and working on the annual library report that gets filed with the Winding Rivers Library System.

 

14). Fish moved, Leis seconded to approve the payment of the bills.  (Carried).

   

15). Jensen moved, Melvin seconded to adjourn. (Carried). Adjourned at 7:07 p.m.

 

                                                                                      __________________________________      

                                                           Kimberly Walker, Village Clerk/Treasurer