The Boyd Village Board met Monday, August 11 at 7 p.m. in the village hall.
Among items included in the night’s business were a resolution related to the Patten Street rebuild and department reports.
First up however was a thank you from Trustee Dale Isaacs.
“The community has responded well,” he said of the response to a medical issue for wife Sandi Isaacs. “We’d like to thank you.” The longtime village clerk has been undergoing treatment for cancer.
Continuing with the resolution on the Patten Street rebuild, meanwhile, Resolution 2025-10 was approved with a motion from Trustee Michael Eslinger seconded by Josh Walters.
The resolution as approved resolves the board to make expenditures as needed from funds on hand to pay for Patten and St. John Street project costs until bond proceeds become available, declares official intent under pertinent treasury regulations to reimburse said expenditures with bond proceeds once received, amd prevents reserved project funds other than bonds from being allocated or set aside on a long term basis by the municipality, the principal amount not to exceed $3,378,000, and makes the resolution available for public inspection at the village clerk’s office within 30 days of approval.
The Patten Street project is being overseen by Ayres Associates of Eau Claire, with the project set to start next spring.
Also in the night’s business were department reports, with Streets and Utilities head Bob LaMarche updating village trustees on the wastewater treatment plant.
“We cannot take that stuff, we just flat cannot take it and they need to understand it,” LaMarche said of loads containing blood hauled to the wastewater treatment plant by private haulers.
Thought to originate at a slaughterhouse or meat processing plant, the blood turning up in the wastewater treatment plant’s blue tank interferes with the village’s treatment plant numbers, submitted to the DNR.
The village currently charges $13.50 per load from outside haulers whereas Thorp charges $16, LaMarche suggesting a rate match with Thorp as one possible one way to reduce the unwanted septic quality of certain loads, even if it costs the plant outside business.
“Is it both of them? I don’t know,” LaMarche said. “But it’s one of them, that I know for sure.” An investigation was planned into the source of the blood.
Josh Walters asked if it was possible to fine offenders, with more restricted gate hours suggested by LaMarche as one way to control plant access. Running the numbers for a cost-benefit analysis was also considered.
Also reported by LaMarche, the treatment plant had completed its compliance maintenance report, the DNR expressing concerns that the village’s replacement fund was insufficient. One example given was a pump with the wires burnt off but no spare, with said spare costing $9,200.
“We do have money in sewer,” Village President Bob Geist said of village funds. More fund liquidity was recommended, with CD accounts tying up ability to withdraw.
Also reported from the wastewater plant was a leaking back flow preventer in the building. The leaking instrument had passed inspection but was recommended for replacement soon as it was 20 years old.
“Sulphur destroys them,” LaMarche said of the back flow device. The village has also recently purchased a chlorine tester for $711 for the treatment plant.