The Town of Thorp held a special meeting on Wednesday, August 30 at the current Town Hall, to vote on the purchase of land and the construction of a new Town hall at the same location. Residents also voted on selling the current town hall and land along with the 10 acres of land at the collection site that the Town of Thorp owns. Many questions and concerns were brought to the board with 15 voting members and residents in attendance at the 90-minute meeting.
As Chairman Jerry Jacks stated, the town’s reasons for a new location and new town hall, concerned residents began to voice their opinions. The board discussed the unsafe condition of the town garage, citing the pooling water and moisture content. The town board is looking to buy four acres of property located at two miles west of Hwy 73 at the intersection of Dickerson and Center Road at the Southwest corner from Rich Tobola at the cost of $7,000.00 an acre. A new town hall and garage would then be constructed on the property to replace the current garage and hall.
“One thing is I don’t really like it with that long hill coming from the west,” a resident commented that as people get to the top of the hill it could be dangerous for vehicles pulling out and suggested finding property to purchase where the speed limit is less.
The Board remarked that they chose the property because it is close to the center of town and the owner was willing to sell.
Other residents questioned if four acres of land is enough. Jacks answered that he could ask for more if residents think it’s needed.
“What’s the projected total cost?” one resident asked, “How much are we going to have to borrow?”
“I don’t know,” Town Clerk Arlene Kodl responded.
In regard to shared revenue, Kodl explained, “Well, we’ve got now with the governor’s new budget, we will be getting an extra $45,000 a year every year now. And that will only go up depending on the sales tax.”
With no finalized plans set in place, the board speculated the cost could be approximately $700,000.
“What’s the reason for not utilizing the ten acres on Fernwall there where the dump is if we got just two there (with garbage buried.) Is there any possibility with that?” a resident asked about using the land at the town’s collection site.
“Well, that’s on the north end of the township,” Jacks began. “I kinda wanted something in the center.”
“There’s no electric or water there,” Supervisor Bob Kodl added.
Another resident asked if this purchase and construction is going to hinder the road maintenance program.
“We don’t plan on it,” Kodl answered
As the question arose on how many miles of road are currently repaired per year, former town chairman Louis Andruszkiewicz responded that it depends on how many breakdowns the town has. He mentioned that the motor had to be replaced in the town truck which he concluded wouldn’t have happened if the town garage was in better condition. He also remarked that it is too wet and corroded and that it sits in the moisture. Kodl agreed.
“You have to admit it, you have to get that truck out of that shed,” she said. “I mean you’re ruining the truck in that shed. Why have the machinery to do the roads if you’re losing it?”
It was questioned again how many miles of road are left to repair, a question Andruszkiewicz answered.
“There should be about 19 miles left to do of gravel road that has not got done yet in the township,” he said. “We’ve been working on it and hitting it pretty dog gone good.”
Town of Thorp residents voted to approve the purchase the new property for the town and build a new town hall and garage. They also voted to approve to sell the current town properties including the current town hall, land, and land at the collection site. The resolutions will be brought to the Town Board for final approval.
