By Rich Palzewic
Staff Writer
ALLOUEZ – After 31 years as an employee of the Village of Allouez, clerk-treasurer Debbie Baenen is retiring at the end of the year.
Jim Rafter, village president, announced Baenen’s retirement at the village board meeting Dec. 15.
“I want to thank Debbie, who after 31 years of dedicated service, will be retiring at the end of the month,” said Rafter. “Debbie is a testament to the Village of Allouez and the type of people we have working here.”
Carrie Zittlow, who’s been acting as the deputy clerk for the last several years, will step into Baenen’s position as clerk-treasurer.
The village hired Kim Wayte, who worked with the City of Green Bay in the past, as the new deputy clerk to replace Zittlow.
In other news, the polling location for Wards 3 and 4 has also changed.
“As many people know, we sold the community center, which was the polling location for Wards 3 and 4,” said Rafter. “Village hall (1900 Libal Street) will now accommodate the voting for those wards and will take effect for the February 2021 Primary, if one is needed.”
The village also has plans to resurface the east half of St. Mary’s Boulevard, Rosemont Drive (from Arbor Lane to Webster Avenue) and Kalb Street (Webster to Libal) in 2021.
Kalb will see the top 2 inches of existing asphalt milled and resurfaced, along with the removal and replacement of defective concrete curb and gutter.
The St. Mary’s and Rosemont projects will consist of full-depth removal of the existing pavement, the shaping and compacting of the existing base, the adjustment and replacement of existing manhole and inlet covers and the repair of defective concrete curb and gutter.
“The estimated cost of the resurfacing projects is $500,000,” said Sean Gehin, public works director. “The project will be funded through the village’s public works street paving budget.”
Again this year, the Brown County Parks Department is planning for snow and ice removal operations this winter along the length of the Fox River State Recreational Trail from Green Bay through Allouez and De Pere.
The parks department is again requesting financial assistance from the communities the trail passes through.
Brown County will pay for the first $10,960 for plowing services, and the other three communities will be charged accordingly for any charges exceeded that amount.
Allouez has participated in this partnership for the last four winters.
Last year, the village wasn’t charged for snow removal because the total bill for the season was under the $10,960 threshold at $7,143.
“This partnership has worked great,” said Chris Clark, village director of parks, recreation and forestry. “If we get that far, the village’s portion of the plowing costs wouldn’t exceed $5,425. The money would come from the contingency fund if needed. There were a record number of people using the trail this past year, for obvious reasons, so it’s a much-appreciated service.”
The board also discussed the possible need to close village hall to walk-ins if COVID-19 cases increase.
“I didn’t intend for us to take any action on this item,” said Brad Lange, village administrator, “but I wanted to discuss it. The number of residents coming into the village hall is lots less than normal, so people are doing a good job of social distancing and following protocols. We have another meeting Jan. 5, so we can discuss it then again if needed.”