Notes from the Town Chair
Welcome to the Current Issues page of our town website. My goal is to keep town residents apprised of good news, as well as expressed concerns, occurring in our town. I welcome your calls and emails. I try to answer all incoming calls and emails as they arrive, but if by chance I miss your communication, I will get back to you ASAP. What follows is an update of discussions. After that are some questions I've received from individuals both residents and nonresidents of La Valle. I'm hoping by posting these quesitons, others will either have a similar question answered, or have some idea of where to find needed information.
I'll update information on this page as it comes available.
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2010 Citizen's Petition for Reassessment
The Department of Revenue held a public hearing on the 2010 Reassessment Petition on Mary 26, 2011, at the La Valle Town Hall. The La Valle Town Board has approximately 10 days to dismiss the petition and order a 2012 revaluation. If it chooses not to do that, the Department of Revenue (DOR) will begin is evaluation of the 2010 assessment. This will take anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks. The town will be billed for these costs. The DOR will then either dismiss the petition or order a 2012 revaluation, based on the findings of the department. In any event, until then all 2011 assessment work has been stopped pending release of the town's documents by the DOR.
The DOR began its investigation in July. That is expected to take from 8 to 12 weeks to complete. The DOR will then issue its ruling and the town wil then proceed with the 2011 Open Book and Board of Review. Watch the Board of Review tab on the town website for updates.
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| Transmission line comparison |
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| Proposed Badger - Coulee Line (ATC)
ATC is planning on builing a high-power transmission line from La Crosse to Madison, transmitting wind, coal, and nuclear generated energy from the Dakotas and Minnesota through western Wisconsin to . There are several proposed corridors for this project, one of which crosses the Town of Woodland into the Town of La Valle before entring the Town of Winfield. You can open the PDF files to the left to see map of possible corridors.
The La Valle Town Board unanimously approved a resolution opposing this line because of its potential economic and environmental impact on the town, should ATC choose La Valle as the corridor for the proposed line. Other towns in Sauk County also have expressed opposition to the project. Additionally, the Vernon County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a resolution requesting a variety of data from ATC on the need and impact of the high voltage transmission line on Vernon County. It is important for everyone to be informed of this proposed project, since it is currently in the public information stage.
For a thorough understanding of the project, access the Town of Stark Energy Planning Committee webpage by clicking on Town of Stark.
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ATC proposed corridors |
Does La Valle require a fireworks permit?
Yes, a fireworks permit MUST be filed with the town clerk two business days prior to the use of fireworks. This document must be signed by you, so please come to the town hall to complete the permitting process.
Is the DNR aware of the fish kill on Lake Redstone? Yes, it is. The cause of the fishkill - confined to gizzard shad - is yet undetermined.
Question: What authority does the town have over Beachclubs on Lake Redstone?
Answer: None. Beachclubs are private property and are regulated by county shoreland zoning.
| What is the Clean Boats Clean Waters Program?
Clean Boats Clean Waters is an educational program to help boaters understand the importance of cleaning their boats so that any aquatic invasive species, such as Eurasian Milfoil or Zebra Mussels, are not transferred from one lake to another. See our invasive species page for more information about the effect of aquatic invasive species on our lakes. You will be hearing more about the Clean Boats Clean Waters program in the near future.
Does La Valle get any of the parking fees charged at the boat landings and, if so, what are they used for?
Yes, we receive about $6,700 year from the parking fees depending on how many fees are paid. These dollars are used for general maintence of the boat landings, including supplies, mowing, boat landing signs, needed improvements, and staff time. We hope to improve the trash areas this summer at each of the boat landings.
| Question: Why aren't there porta-potties at the Section 11 and Dutch Hollow boat landings?
Answer: This has been a re-occurring question over the summer. Believe it not, it is an issue of federal law which requires that if a portable toilet is provided, the first facility must be handicapped assessible. A proper passageway must be provided to the handicapped assessible portable toilet. Currently, the boat landing at Section 11 is not ADA compliant, and thus no handicapped assessible portable toilet could be provided. We are looking for ways to rectify this problem for the 2012 summer boating season.
A handicapped assessible porta-potty has been approved for the La Valle Dutch Hollow Lake boat landing.
Please call Bev Vaillancourt at 985-8180 if you have any questions.
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