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Notes from the Grove

• The board will issue a letter of support for the proposed Grand Traverse Islands National Lakeshore. John Bacon from Egg Harbor has begun an effort to establish a new national lakeshore encompassing the Grand Traverse Islands. A limited number of draft copies are available at the town office for viewing in the office.

• A scheduled upgrade to the town website will result in minor appearance changes and navigation on the site. One benefit is the additional ability to list all town businesses that want to be on the site with a photo and information about the business. There will not be a charge for the listing. Once the new modules are in place businesses will be asked to contact the town office with their information.

• The board has released funds for steps 1, 2 and 3 of Phase One of the Feasibility Study for a Shared-Use Food Processing Incubator (community kitchen). The Economic Development Committee had requested a proposal from Mary Pat Carlson who has an extensive background in the establishment on community kitchens in Wisconsin and the nation. Step one will assess the interest and need; step 2 will include site evaluation and inventory of potential locations; and step 3 will define the facility, equipment, staffing and client support services needs/costs.

April has been targeted as the start date for the assessment with an estimated three to four month completion. David Studebaker, a member of the Economic Development Committee and chair of the town IT committee, will be the coordinator/contact person for the town.

• The board has supported the request of the Door County Economic Development Corp. to host an Economic Forum for local interested business and parties on April 24. The forum is scheduled for two hours beginning at 10 am in the town hall. Local, state and federal agencies are being asked to participate along with local lending and support institutions. The purpose of the forum is to provide information and resources that are available to local business to maintain, grow or expand in addition to persons interested in moving a business or starting a new business in Liberty Grove. Additional information will be available in the coming weeks. Interested parties are asked to mark this important event on their calendar.

• The Board has approved the request of the plan commission to support the Conditional Use Permit of Bayview Resort & Harbor for renovation and expansion of an existing marina at 12019 Highway 42 in Ellison Bay.

• Paul Schwengel reports that approximately 5,000 Brown Trout were stocked in Gills Rock on Feb. 19. The DNR has indicated that approximately 30,000 salmon will be stocked in Gills Rock this spring. The local sport fishermen are arranging purchase of a holding pen to be located in Gills Rock that allows the fingerlings to adjust to the surrounding waters prior to being released into the bay. The local group worked very hard to convince the DNR to stock in Gills Rock instead of Ellison Bay. A video was produced along with a document submitted to the DNR and other interested parties. After several lean years it is hoped the stocking will help the local sport fishermen with their charters. The industry has a direct impact on the economy in Liberty Grove as well as northern Door County.

• Susan Hass, Diane McNeil, Patsy Michelsen, Gloria Johnson, Carol Mooney, Joanne Peterson, Janet Johnson and Melanie Johnson have been appointed poll workers for the upcoming spring election on April 1, 2014.

• The League of Women Voters will host a Candidate Forum for Town of Liberty Grove Supervisors on March 22, beginning at 10 am at the town hall. Incumbent supervisors Gary Farber and Lou Covotsos are running for re-election along with challenger Hugh Mulliken. Two supervisor positions are open.

• Administrator Kalms has provided the following information regarding this winter’s snow plowing and road maintenance. Approximately 375 tons of salt have been used to date. Salt comprises less than 10 percent of the sand mixture that is spread on slippery roadways by the town crew. Five hundred tons of salt in addition to 100 tons of reserve were ordered for the 2013-2014 winter. Wages allocated to plowing indicate the following:  from October of 2012 to February of 2013 plowing overtime wages totaled $950, while regular plowing totaled $3,800. For the same time period of 2013-2014, overtime has totaled $2,560 while regular plowing wages have totaled $14,900. The 2012-2013 brushing, which is usually done during the winter months, totaled $10,500, while in 2013-14 it has been $300. In 2012-2013 fuel costs associated with plowing totaled $5,700 while in the same period 2013-2014 the total has been $9,300. The town crew of four is responsible for plowing 100 miles of Liberty Grove town roads. The weekend of Feb. 22 & 23 was the first weekend since Christmas that the town crew has not been called out to plow.

• A reminder:  If you have not been in attendance at meetings, contact the town office as secondhand information is not always accurate, with questions relating to committee or town board actions/decisions.