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Village board members, left, Doug Falk, Joe Hoenecke, Andy Beiser, Chris Boucher, and John Rogers with Rhoda Fleming (USDA), Marlene Miehlke (Herb Kohl’s rep.), Camille Solberg (Ron Johnson rep.), Chris Hardy (Winneconne department of public works director), and Greg Underheim (Tom Petri rep.)
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Waste Water Treatment Plant Upgrade Complete
Rededication ceremony last week marks completion of project in village
The village of Winneconne marked the completion of renovations and upgrades to the village’s wastewater treatment plant with a community celebration and ribbon cutting last week Thursday with village board members and staff, including representatives of the department of public works, and the US Department of Agriculture – Rural Development.
Village president John Rogers addressed the crowd of 50-plus people and shared the details of this major project. The project was funded as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 – better known to most as the stimulus bill. Specifically, monetary contributions for the $5.2 million upgrade include $625,000 village cash and Winneconne Sanitary District #3, a 3.25 percent, 30-year $3.5 million loan from the USDA, as well as a $916,000 USDA grant (stimulus money).
The $5.2 million treatment plant upgrade made the following list of improvements possible: new pumps, blowers, motors, valves, and mechanical systems; new electrical wiring of electrical components; new computer control program for operations; new sludge building for indoor storage of waste; new chemical feed system; re-conditioning of compact plant no. 1; upgrade of equalization tank to compact plant no. 2; and the remodel of the Johnson building.
Rogers acknowledged the hard effort put forth by many to see this project to its completion, namely the department of public works staff and director Chris Hardy, Midwest Contract Operations, MSA Professional Services who provided the design engineers for the project, as well as Marlene Lenz, the community relations director.
Rhoda Fleming, a USDA Rural Development area specialist, attended last week’s ceremony and commented, “Infrastructure projects like these directly tie into the sustainability and viability of communities.” The village’s treatment facility is more than 30 years old, and while it was well maintained over the years, the improvements were necessary to bring the facility in compliance with recent Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit changes. “People choose to live in rural Wisconsin for the quality of life it offers…we are pleased to have been a part of the project and the positive impact it will have on this community,” shared Fleming.
The Winneconne High School band attended the rededication ceremony and serenaded onlookers throughout the event. Cub Scouts Den No. 6 led the ceremony with presentation of colors and the Pledge of Allegiance, and Building the WAY served punch and cookies.
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