Town of Rib Mountain. Image courtesy: WAOW TV.
RIB MOUNTAIN, WI (WSAU) — They aren’t a Village just yet, but leaders in Rib Mountain are deep in discussions on how their organizational structure will look once the change is made.
Town Board Chairman Allen Opall says the process will take time, meaning residents should prepare for some confusion while things work themselves out. “It’s going to be a little confusing for a while, but hang on. We will get through this.”
Monday’s meeting focused on a memo of understanding between the sanitary district and administration, two entities that will merge under the Village umbrella. Opall says issues like buying into the state pension fund, the makeup of the water and sewer commission, and staffing for the departments must be worked out. “That is probably our biggest headache. I hate to use the term ‘headache,’ but being able to resolve that issue is going to be very interesting,” said Opall.
Other items like the town signs that mark Rib Mountain’s boundaries, such as those at either end of Rib Mountain Drive and the Municipal Center, will remain. They’ll also be working with the state DOT on updating signs along US 51 since unincorporated towns aren’t allowed to have highway signage marking their boundaries.
Opall adds that having the “Town of Rib Mountain” signs still up is something that’s “kinda cute” to him, in a sense that it’s memorable because it’s incorrect. But they will change them eventually. “That’s on the back burner. I don’t know how important that will be to address right away.”
RELATED: Voters Approve Rib Mountain Incorporation
Before any change can happen, the state Department of Administration needs to sign off on last Tuesday’s election results. Town leaders expect that will happen as soon as Wednesday. That will also trigger a 40-50 day window for an election to name the four Village Trustees and Village President who will serve on the inaugural Village Board.
Comments