Notes from the Grove

Welcome to the Notes from the Grove, providing Liberty Grove residents and visitors tid bits of information about goings on in town government.

• The well testing program had 88 wells that were tested. We were notified that the lab was very pleased with the number of participants and it should give the town a good cross section of potential ground water issues. 16 wells indicated bacteria contamination while two wells indicated E coli. All well owners will be notified by mail of the results directly from UW – Stevens Point. An informational/educational session will be held on August 16 at 7 pm in the Town Hall to go over the test results and answer questions from residents. The Town Board would like to thank the Door County Environmental Council for contacting their members and encouraging them to participate in the program. The council also posted notices in the local news media.

• The town crew has begun the summer brushing schedule on town roads. The new brush chipper has arrived and will be put to use during the brushing. Please contact the Town Office with any questions.

• The town has been contacted by the Bacho Consulting, LLC of Seattle, Washington on behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard regarding locating a tower for the National Distress and Response System, known as “Rescue 21.” The tower would be located where several communication towers are currently located off Old Stage Road at the intersection of Highway 42. Federal Law exempts the project from land use and building permits.

• The Town Office continues to have communication with the DOT regarding crosswalks in Ellison Bay. We are hoping that after a year and a half crosswalks will become a reality for the safety of pedestrians crossing Highway 42 in Ellison Bay.

• The subcommittees of Parks and Properties for Rowleys Bay and Ellison Bay begin their work this month. The first meetings will be held on July 18 and 19 respectively. The Rowleys Bay committee will begin planning for the waterfront park, marina and launch area. The Ellison Bay committee will concentrate on immediate maintenance issues and long range planning for the launch ramp and marina.

• The highway subcommittee will also begin work on the “Heritage Roads” concept.

• The Town of Liberty Grove experienced very difficult times in the 1860s with an epidemic of diphtheria, forest fires and high taxes. At that time northern Door County had no meaningful representation on the County Board. The assessment rate for Liberty Grove properties was twice that of Sturgeon Bay and four times the rate for Brussels. This would lead to reforms in the years ahead.

To contact John Lowry regarding the Town of Liberty Grove or information found within this column, email [email protected] or call the Town of Liberty Grove at 920.854.2934.