St. Germain town board sets bid process for Sixteen Road
The St. Germain town board convened in special session on Aug. 4 to establish a timeline for contractors to submit bids for work on Sixteen Road. According to town supervisor Peggy Nimz, the board liaison to the town’s department of public works, the task of re-graveling Sixteen Road could be approached in one of three different ways.
Lines crossed: St. Germain to crack down on business parking in town road rights-of-way
The St. Germain town board on July 24 discussed possible steps to address businesses whose parking areas encroach on town road rights-of-way. The subject was brought to the attention of the board by town supervisor Brian Cooper, who observed and photographed an instance of multiple vehicles parked in the right-of-way — and in some cases, extending into the roadway — of Paton Road.
St. Germain approves enhanced-wake sign for Alma, Moon lakes
The St. Germain town board last week, after more than a year’s worth of discussion and deliberation on whether and/or how to regulate the creation of artificially-enhanced boat wakes on bodies of water within the town’s jurisdiction, voted to approve a request from the Alma/Moon Lake District to post a sign at the Alma Lake boat landing.
St. Germain town board endorses plan to rezone land for residential community near Sunrise Drive
The St. Germain town board authorized sending a letter to the Vilas County board’s zoning committee recommending approval of a re-zoning request for a proposed single-family subdivision in the town.
St. Germain to take bids for basketball, pickleball courts
Vojta: ‘We don’t know what it’s going to cost’
Pickleball may soon hit the courts in St. Germain, where town officials voted July 14 to pursue bids for construction of a shared basketball and pickleball court. Town chairman John Vojta is spearheading the project and he requested the assistance of Jim Bossert, a member of the St. Germain Pickleball and Spikeball Club.
St. Germain to investigate suggested speed limits for town roads
The need for less speeding in the town of St. Germain was again a topic of discussion at the July 14 meeting of the town board, whose members discussed a possible solution. Over the course of several months in the recent past, town supervisor Patric Niggemeier led an ad-hoc committee investigating the possibility of regulating enhanced boat wakes on town lakes.
Eagle River threatens to axe ‘stump dump’
Adamovich: yard-waste facility ‘Being misused’
The common council of the city of Eagle River heard during its meeting on Tuesday, July 8 about area residents abusing the privilege of being able to use the city’s yard-waste facility, commonly known as the “stump dump.” As a result, the city is considering measures including increased fines for illegal dumping and/or shuttering the facility to the public.
St. Germain swings into summer: Golf soars, disc course gains ground
The St. Germain town board received positive updates during its meeting on Monday, July 14 pertaining to the town’s traditional and disc-golf courses.
The PFAS problem arrives in Eagle River
Sanborn: ‘I don’t have a lot of answers right now’
The “forever chemical” PFAS (per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances) has been detected in Eagle River’s wastewater treatment facility. The city’s common council was informed of that fact during its July 8 meeting.
St. Germain boating ordinance changes to get second public hearing
Date set for July 16
The St. Germain town board on June 26 voted to reject three proposed amendments to the town’s boating ordinance following discussions at a public hearing in June. Instead, the board voted to adopt three corrected versions of the amendments pending input from the public at a hearing to be held in a few weeks.
FAA authority over Eagle River airport land sends dog park plans back to drawing board
Leads to closing of portion of snowmobile trail
The Eagle River City Council during its meeting on Monday, June 16 was informed the city’s long-beleaguered plans to build a dog park have encountered yet another setback, meaning a new home for the proposed project must be sought and secured.
St. Germain investigates speed limit conundrum
Niggemeier: ‘Nothing is definite as of right now’
The St. Germain town board last week discussed a number of unknowns regarding the posted speed limits on town roads, including whether or not those postings are legal under state statute. Over the course of several months in the recent past, town supervisor Patric Niggemeier led an ad-hoc committee investigating the possibility of regulating enhanced boat wakes on town lakes.
Eagle River hires three people for the public works department
The Eagle River common council approved the hiring of three people for the city’s public works department at its June 10 meeting. The move represents a nearly-complete turnover of the department’s staff and leadership.
A clearer picture of Jerry Burkett
When The Lakeland Times assigned its Sunshine Week grades to public officeholders in March, the reporter covering the Vilas County Board of Supervisors awarded the chairman of that body, Jerry Burkett, an A grade for his performance in matters pertaining to open government, transparency, and cooperation with the free press.
St. Germain town board sets public hearing dates for boating, zoning changes
Upswing in room tax, golf course revenue
The St. Germain town board will conduct a public hearing regarding proposed changes to the town’s boating and zoning ordinances. That was discussed and decided during the town board’s May 12 meeting. That was discussed and decided during the town board’s May 12 meeting.
Request from protest organizers meets resistance from Eagle River city council
Burkett: ‘We can’t stop them’
A contentious discussion involving the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was a highlight of the May13 meeting of the Eagle River common council. The discussion was between the council and the organizers for a “No Kings” rally and protest on June 14, a discussion that ended in what alderman Jerry Burkett described as a “Mexican standoff.”
Federal regulations skirted in establishing Eagle River snowmobile trail
Burkett: ‘We had four days to build a trail so we cheated’
Jerry Burkett, a member of the Eagle River common council, made a surprising admission during the council’s May 13 meeting: that he and others knowingly flouted federal regulations to re-route a snowmobile trail through Eagle River Union Airport property.
Restored Chief St. Germain statue ready for unveiling
A time and date has been set for the unveiling of a refurbished local landmark, the statue of Chief St. Germain. The St. Germain town board received that news at its May 12 meeting.
St. Germain board charts course for disc golf
The new-look St. Germain town board reached a consensus during its first meeting on Thursday, April 24 to proceed with planning the layout of a proposed municipally-owned disc-golf course.
Eagle River city council bids farewell to mayor Jeffery Hyslop
The city of Eagle River’s common council bid farewell to Jeffrey Hyslop during its organizational meeting on Tuesday, April 15. The emotional sendoff was highlighted with the presentation of a plaque and an official resolution.
Enhanced wake ordinance fails in St. Germain
Mortag: ‘We haven’t thought of everything’
With several area towns either adopting or in the process of consideration of some type of enhanced wake ordinance in recent years, the St. Germain town board last week voted during its April 14 meeting by a narrow margin to reject an ordinance which would regulate the use of enhanced-wake boats on lakes within the municipality.
St. Germain receives long-awaited federal funds
St. Germain town officials and residents of received good news during a town board meeting on Monday, April 14, pertaining to long-awaited grant money from the federal government. The town’s high-capacity fire department well failed and was deactivated in the summer of 2022.
St. Germain enhanced wake ordinance adrift
Kuschel: ‘That is very disheartening’
The future of an enhanced wake ordinance for the town of St. Germain remains uncertain. For the last several months, the St. Germain lakes committee and its ad-hoc subcommittee worked to prepare a draft ordinance to regulate the use of boats which create enhanced wakes on waterways within the town.
St. Germain town board laments federal grant process
Officials in St. Germain discussed — and bemoaned — the municipality’s involvement with a federal grant program during a March 27 meeting of the town board. The town’s high-capacity fire department well failed and was deactivated in the summer of 2022.
Eagle River city council OKs $160,000 for police department
The Eagle River common council voted unanimously last week to approve $160,000 in spending on equipment for the city’s police department. Police chief Christine Dobbs made the request to the council for authorization to purchase body-camera systems and vehicles.
Enhanced wake ordinance vote delayed in St. Germain
A vote by the St. Germain town board on an ordinance to regulate the use of wake boats on town lakes has been put on hold. The town board tabled a vote on the proposed ordinance at the end of a lengthy discussion during its March 10 meeting.
Three people file as write-in candidates in St. Germain
Prior to last week, one town board seat was set to be vacant after the April 1 election
Voters in the town of St. Germain will now have three candidates to choose from for one of two town supervisor seats up for election on April 1. Until very recently, St. Germain was facing a potentially problematic shortage of office-seekers; the town board will undergo a major turnover on April 1 as town chairman Tom Christensen, town supervisors Jim Swenson and Kalisa Mortag, town clerk June Vogel and town treasurer Jeanna Vogel have all decided not to seek re-election.
Eagle River city council OKs trail improvements
Upgrades for downtown bike trail, pedestrian and snowmobile crossings
The Eagle River common council approved during its meeting last week support for a plan to upgrade a downtown highway crossing for pedestrians, bicyclists, and snowmobilers. The crossing spans U.S. Highway 45 near the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce at Bridge Street and leads into Riverview Park.
Eagle River to implement traffic class
Completion of the course would, in some cases, take care of a ticket
The Eagle River police department will send people who violate traffic laws to class instead of issue tickets. The city’s common council last week approved implementation of a new program which, in certain circumstances, will allow traffic-law violators an alternative to being ticketed and fined through the court system.
St. Germain roads go out for bids
The St. Germain town board last week sent out for bid work to repair or replace five problematic roads in the town. The discussions were the latest step in a years-long debate about how to prioritize the glut of failing infrastructure in St. Germain.
St. Germain fills deputy clerk vacancy amid candidate shortage
The town of St. Germain is still facing a shortage of candidates for local offices heading into the upcoming April 1 election. However, one critical vacancy has been filled, according to town clerk June Vogel, who announced the hiring of a new recruit during a town board meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 26.
Speed studies stir debate in St. Germain
The St. Germain town board debated the merits of speed-studies for town roads during its Feb. 26 meeting in an attempt to increase traffic enforcement, which many residents feel is lackluster.
St. Germain enhanced wake committee forwards draft ordinance to lakes committee
St. Germain’s enhanced-wake committee last week approved proposed changes to the town’s boating ordinance and forwarded the draft to the town’s lakes committee for its consideration.
Eagle River city council OKs apartment complex CUP application
Council also approves land sale
The Eagle River city council last week followed the recommendation of its planning commission and approved the issuance of a conditional use permit (CUP) allowing for the expansion of an apartment complex already under construction.
Eagle River city council denies request for new ATV route
Proposed route would be tied in to State Highway 70
The Eagle River city council last week denied a request from the Landover ATV/UTV Club for an ordinance change that would have allowed establishment of a new ATV (all terrain vehicle) and UTV (utility task vehicle) route from Forest Street to the west city limits on Wisconsin State Highway 70.
Fath, Garbowicz answer enhanced wake ordinance questions
Enforcement a concern for St. Germain enhanced wake ordinance committee
St. Germain’s enhanced-wake committee conducted a question-and-answer session with Vilas County Sheriff Joe Fath during its Feb. 5 meeting. The group also discussed legal advice from town attorney Steve Garbowicz on the matter of regulating the use of enhanced-wake boats on town lakes.
St. Germain has shortage of town supervisor, clerk and treasurer candidates
Deadline for filing as a write-in is March 28
There’s a shortage of candidates for the St. Germain town board in this April’s election, and it was a topic of discussion at a meeting of the town board on Jan. 23. The town is facing a major turnover in leadership this spring as town chairman Tom Christensen, supervisors Jim Swenson and Kalisa Mortag, town clerk June Vogel and treasurer Jeanna Vogel have all decided not to seek re-election.
Eagle River common council pushes for public land sale
Burkett: ‘Absolutely zero conflict here’
The Eagle River common council voted last week to support the sale of Vilas County-owned Riverside Park for residential development and also discussed the potential sale of a city-owned parcel of land for the same purpose.
Eagle River planning commission backs sale of Riverside Park
The Eagle River planning commission voted last week to endorse the sale of Riverside Park by Vilas County for residential development. The 4-1 vote followed a hearing at the Jan. 9 meeting during which no input was offered from the general public.
St. Germain enhanced-wake committee has its initial meeting
Niggemeier: ‘Compromises are going to be made on both sides’
St. Germain’s enhanced-wake committee met for the first time last week. The ad-hoc body is tasked by the town board with the single goal of preparing and presenting a draft ordinance for the town board’s consideration regarding the regulation of enhanced-wake boats on town lakes.
Eagle River city council puts city attorney in the middle of golf course dispute
McPartlin: ‘I’m not getting anywhere with this’
The Eagle River Common Council has taken action to refer calls and/or correspondence from residents on Aquila Court regarding their concerns about maintenance of the city’s golf course to city attorney Steve Garbowicz.
Eagle River approves budget for 2025
The City of Eagle River common council during a meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 10, approved its budget for fiscal year 2025. “So just in a nutshell, our full budget is 2.98-ish million dollars,” city administrator Robin Ginner said to the council.
Five St. Germain officeholders opt out of reelection bids
The town of St. Germain will undergo a significant turnover in leadership following the April elections of 2025, as a majority (five of seven) of the town’s elected officeholders will not be running for additional terms.
St. Germain re-routes downtown snowmobile trail spur
During a meeting of the St. Germain town board on Thursday, Nov. 22, supervisors voted unanimously to re-route a spur of the Bo-Boen Snowmobile Club’s trail in the downtown area.
St. Germain schedules public hearing for chapter one zoning amendments
The town board of St. Germain has set a time and date for a public hearing regarding proposed amendments to the town’s chapter one zoning ordinance. The hearing will take place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 17 in room four of the St. Germain Community Center, which is to be followed by a regularly-scheduled town board meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Eagle River mulls changes to room-tax intake
The Eagle River Common Council reached a consensus during its Nov. 12 meeting to initiate conversations with the neighboring towns of Lincoln and Washington regarding raising the room-tax rate.
St. Germain town board votes to raise room tax
The town of St. Germain will see an increase in its room tax as of Jan. 1, 2026. Following months of public discussion and a public hearing, the town board voted during a Nov. 11 meeting to nearly double the town’s room-tax rate from 4.5 percent to 8 percent.
St. Germain votes narrowly to break ground on disc-golf course
During a meeting of the St. Germain town board on Thursday, Oct. 24, supervisors voted — by a margin of three-to-two — for work to proceed in turning a town-owned parcel of land into a public disc-golf course.
City of Eagle River room tax share causes controversy
Burkett: ‘There’s going to be a war’
During the Oct. 28 meeting of the Eagle River common council, the group spent hours tweaking the city’s budget. When the allocation of room-tax revenues was discussed, council member Jerry Burkett expressed his extreme dissatisfaction with the situation and went so far as to declare a state of “war” between the city and the Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce.
St. Germain hears public input on proposed room-tax increase
The St. Germain town board held a public hearing on Monday, Oct. 28, to take feedback regarding a proposed increase in the town’s room-tax rate.
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