By Kevin Boneske
Staff Writer
HOBART – Mary Smith has left village hall after retiring April 24 as clerk-treasurer.
Her 37 years of service to Hobart residents was recognized in a resolution approved Tuesday, May 5, by the village board.
The resolution, which included a copy of the ballot from 1983 when Smith was first elected town clerk and a 1998 newspaper article about her being appointed the town clerk-treasurer, is two-sided and wasn’t able to be presented to her in a single frame, said Village Administrator Aaron Kramer.
“Maybe we’ll get two frames, but we’ll get a signed copy to her with a seal on it,” he said.
Kramer said the resolution wasn’t up for consideration at the previous board meeting April 21, because “I could not get her to look me straight in the eye and tell me she wouldn’t change her mind up to the last day (she retired).”
The resolution lists the positions Smith held in Hobart, which include being an elected town clerk from 1983 to 1998, an appointed town clerk-treasurer from 1998 to 2002 and an appointed village clerk-treasurer from 2002 to 2020.
In wishing her a well-deserved retirement, the resolution recognizes Smith for dedication, professionalism and integrity, as well as having an integral role in the growth and development of the community from a township of less than 2,000 residents to a village of approximately 10,000 and a role in the financial, accounting and election phases of the town and village.
When asked if she had anything to say upon her retirement, Smith mentioned vacating a road in the village takes at least a month to 45 days.
“We’re not paying you as a consultant,” Kramer quipped to Smith. “You’re not a consultant.”
Smith said she finds it interesting to attend meetings while sitting on the other side of the table, “but it’s just as hard to keep your mouth shut here as it was up there.”
Village President Rich Heidel said Smith is “welcome back here to mouth off or anything you want to do anytime in the future.”
“Speaking for the board, Mary, and for all past officials of the village, it’s really been an honor and privilege,” Heidel said. “We’ve been very fortunate to work with you.”
Erica Berger is the interim village clerk-treasurer upon Smith’s retirement.
Village CSM
In other action, with the village owning multiple parcels to the west and along the north side of Centerline Drive, the board approved a three-lot certified survey map (CSM) to create parcels of 3 acres, 7 acres, and nearly 5 acres, along with dedicating 1 acre for the extension of Centerline Drive.
Todd Gerbers, director of planning and code compliance, said the land division is required to accommodate any future developments in that area.
Gerbers said the three lots will comply with village requirements for the planned development district.
The board also approved a one-year yard waste contract.
Public Works Director Jerry Lancelle said contracting with Braun Excavating will result in a substantial savings, estimated at $16,670 annually.
The estimated annual cost to the village is $27,830.
Lancelle said Braun agreed to accept yard waste and store brush transferred from public works.
In other news
The board reappointed Glen Severson to a three-year term on the Brown County Planning Commission Board of Directors.
Severson completed a three-year term with the planning commission March 1.
The board approved a resolution authorizing entry into an intergovernmental cooperation agreement relating to the Wisconsin Investment Series Cooperative (WISC) and authorizing participation in WISC investment programs.
The resolution authorizes the village to invest its available monies and withdraw them in accordance with the agreement, including investing in the fixed-income program of the WISC through the PMA Financial Network, Inc., and PMA Securities, Inc.