The Stanley City Council decided to hire CBS Squared, Inc. to plant the current empty reed bed at the wastewater treatment plant. In May of 2021, CWG or Constructed Wetland Group was paid $16,000 to plant the reed beds at the wastewater treatment plant. The plants that were purchased and planted never grew as they were intended to and the City has been left with an empty reed bed. CWG didn’t return any calls to Stanley city employees for almost a year. CWG then communicated that they wished to replant with cattails which are an invasive species that was not permitted under the City’s 2016 Facilities plan with the Department of Natural Resources.
After recently consulting with an attorney, the council decided not to pursue further legal action against CWG regarding the reed beds that need to be reestablished after the last ones died since it would result in more fees and “will be highly expensive to continue.” Also, because CWG is based out of Florida, it would be difficult for the city to collect on any judgement that might be awarded to them.
“It’s sad that he got away with it,” Alderperson Laurie Foster remarked as Mayor Al Haas commented that the City needs to “lick our wounds and walk away.”
The 10,500 square foot reed bed will now house 5,250 plants which will be one plant for every two square feet resulting in a cost of approximately $60,000. Alderperson Mike Henke said, “I think we need to move forward,” and motioned that the city will enter an agreement with CBS Squared to purchase the plants, transport and plant the plants in the current empty reed bed. The plants will be purchased from Season’s Harvest Greenhouse in Menomonie.
“I feel better about that,” Henke stated.
Reed beds are beneficial to wastewater treatment plants as natural filtration systems. Having the city’s fourth reed bed in use will alleviate strain on the other three beds, thus extending their lives but will take some time for full establishment.
The council continued the meeting to impose a Class B weight restriction on 345th Street.
Haas said, “We are currently looking at that Agricultural Bill for 345th and with that it needs to be a restricted road.”
“It’s one of the best programs out there,” Alderperson Jason Meyer shared about the Agricultural Roads Improvement Program the City will be applying for.
“It’s a little bit of a rush because it’s due April 4th,” Henke said of the grant application.
“Working with Delmar will give us added consideration,” Alderperson Mark Fitzsimmons said because it’s multiple municipalities working together on one road.
Haas said it will “put a feather in our hat” while Henke said it will “increase the score.”
Meyer stated that knowing the average daily traffic for that road would help.
Fitzsimmons said that they received some traffic numbers but it’s currently off season.
Due to the short time frame for the application, the Council gave authorization for Mayor Haas and City Administrator Nicole Pilgrim to sign for any grant applications documents for 345th
Street as needed. They also approved Ayres to write up the Agricultural Roads Improvement Program application for 345th Street if needed.
