Department reports are in for the month of March. With the clerk’s office covered in a separate article, these are the most recent bimonthly updates from city government.

Police
Writing the council in his most recent report, Stanley Police Chief Lance Weiland shared that officers had participated in the annual active response training, held this year at Bloomer Schools. Now in its fourth year, the training rotates to a new school each year, put on by firearms instructors from various departments throughout the county and giving officers the training they need to answer active shooter threats.
Also shared by Weiland was a squad car sale.
“I recently posted on the Wisconsin Chief’s of Police Association website regarding our 2018 squad car that was previously used by our K9 team,” the chief wrote. “I was contacted a short time later by the Police Chief of the Sparta Police Department who indicated that she believed our squad would be perfect for what they are currently looking for as they unexpectedly had just added an additional K9 to their department. I was provided with a purchase offer of $16,900 for the squad, which I believed to be a very fair price with all things considered.”
Weiland spoke with the mayor, and it was determined that the squad car would be purchased as is for the offered price, Sparta currently planning to have the car picked up. Weiland requested that funds from the sale be directed to the city’s K9 account for future K9 related expenses.
Closing out the police chief’s update meanwhile were report of a conversation with Chippewa County Board Representative James Erickson regarding assistance with inspection of 117 North Broadway as well as a successful background investigation on prospective department hire Christian Cortes-Cartagena. Weiland had previously expressed concern with apartments and code issues above Cantina Margaritas.
“Mr. Erickson informed me that he would provide me with any updates when they become available regarding this matter,” Weiland.
As for Cortes-Cartagena, Weiland said he hoped to have him hired by the end of the week, pending medical and drug test results and notification of previous employer. “I hope to have him started in the next two weeks once he has had some experience to provide notice to his current employer,” Weiland wrote.

Fire
Writing in the fire chief’s report, Stanley Fire Chief Ron Patten wrote that normal office work had been completed, also listing minor upkeep of equipment and trucks with updated records and SCBA and PASS alarm certification in work completed.
As for work planned, Patten wrote of plans to have work done on the Rescue Unit, as well as setting up of a monthly meeting schedule and viewing of two jaws of life units.
For items concerning the council meanwhile, Patten wrote that 49 fire inspections had been done in the last two weeks, the department also fielding two mutual aid calls, one false alarm call, one vehicle fire, and six first responder calls in the last two weeks. A letter had been received and posted in the paper from the attorney general’s office stating the department was in compliance “with all SPS 330 requirements.”
Closing the fire chief’s report with planned training, Patten wrote that normal monthly training was planned, along with ICS 300 for three officers in April 2026.

Water
As for the water department, Water Operator Ben Blair and Streets and Grounds Foreman Joe Schmitt reported otherwise regular plant work, along with daily and weekly testing and thorough cleaning. Work was completed with PJ Korten on call-inn issues as well as Ryan from Tonka adjusting the reverse osmosis set points to extend membrane life. The first of two NDR class on distribution and groundwater had also been completed in the past two week.
As for work planned, Blair reported installation of pH/ORP sensors in the reverse osmosis skis, continued daily and weekly testing, training of new employee Dwayne
on daily procedures, location and repair of a well 3 break, and attendance at water plant and well maintenance class in Plover. Planned training over the next 60 days includes exams for previously taken classes on groundwater and distribution.
Blair said the plants were functioning well, with limited call-ins in March. Some alarms were due to communication failures, with one major alarm resolved with PJ Korten related to a faulty backup battery. Continued work to improve alarm reliability and plant efficiency were also noted.

Wastewater
Reporting for the wastewater department, sewer operator Jake Lukes reported normal plant operations, with pressed sludge on the belt press hauled to landfill. Also in news from wastewater, was removal by Crane Engineering of a fine screen at the main lift station, heater fix by Korenuk’s Heating at the main lift station, and spring cleaning on buildings, as well as train in of new employees on wastewater procedures.
With no major training planned for the next 60 days, Lukes wrote in items concerning the council that three doors needed to be replaced on two buildings to stay in compliance with fire codes. Due to age and design the doors have not stood up to the elements, with the fire inspector writing that the doors needed to “operate freely.”

Streets, Parks, and Cemetery
Closing out departments reports with Streets, Parks, and Cemetery, Streets and Grounds Foreman Joe Schmitt listed routine work alongside new items, including a coordinated rescue of the bull elk entangled in wire, help with rescue given by veterans and the Stanley Sportsman’s Club. Other excerpts from Schmitt’s report include potholes on First Avenue and Oak Street, a water shut off at the library, follow-up check on bull elk’s recovery, and response to citizen concerns about yard damage caused by Spectrum subcontractors, with repairs underway. Schmitt reported additionally that Christmas decorations had been stored away and that the department had prepped “mowers, snow blades, and truck box for city surplus sale.” The alleyway between Madison and Jefferson had been cleaned as well.
Korenuk’s Heating and Cooling repairing roof vents on the Northwest Water Treatment Plant with Market and Johnson placing track pads at the Central Plant for chemical delivery access.