Town of Little Wolf

Email:  litlwolf@wolfnet.net  

TOWN OF LITTLE WOLF  FALL/WINTER  NEWSLETTER- 2020

Hello from your Town Board!

We hope you are all doing well, considering the curveballs this year of 2020 has pitched.   Who would have ever imagined we’d see the types of events 2020 has delivered!  One thing we can ensure, the Town Board is committed to keeping the Town safe and maintained in a way that respects our residents and is responsible with your tax dollars.  Read on to get updates.  Lastly, we would like to wish you all a Blessed Christmas and hope the New Year brings us all Health and Happiness!

The Town Board is considering the purchase of a generator, to keep the Town Hall powered in the event of a storm that causes outage for days, like we’ve seen in the past.  This is a topic we will discuss at the Town Budget Public Hearing, which is at 6 pm on November 12^th, as it will cost more than a little.  Please let the Town Board know whether or not you support this purchase.

Town Assessed Values:         The new assessment values have been calculated by the Department of Revenue.  The Towns’ aggregate ratio is below 90%.  This is not a real serious issue; however, it is a good indicator that our assessed values on property in the Town need to be looked at and updated.  This is why you will be receiving a letter from Kathy Bazile, our Town Assessor. The letter will include a survey that you should fill out and send back to her.  By sending the survey back, you may be able to forego an inspection of the interior of your home.  With the covid pandemic, the Assessor would prefer to do an outside assessment and not have to come inside. To make this possible, you must send back that survey!  Please read the letter from Bazile when it arrives and send back the survey.  This will make it possible to bring the values back in line without having to enter your property.  The Town Board encourages you to cooperate with the Assessor.

Tax Collection reminders:

NEW for 2020:  Due to the pandemic, the Treasurer will NOT be collecting in person this year.  ALL tax payments should be mailed to:  Rhonda Wilz, N5784 Shop St,  Manawa,  WI 54949.  This info is on your tax bill as well.  All payments must be postmarked on or before January 31, 2021 to be considered a timely payment.  .  Envelopes must be postmarked by Dec 31, to receive credit in 2020.      INCLUDE a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope if you want to receive a RECEIPT

ALL DOGS MUST BE LICENSED.  This is the Law in the State of Wisconsin.

TAGS COST $5 FOR SPAYED/NEUTERED , $10 FOR OTHERS & $35 FOR KENNEL

******PROOF OF RABIES VACCINATION IS REQUIRED****** SASE required for tags and receipt.

Tax Bills:            This year, the Town may see an increase in bill amount, for the Manawa School District Referendum that was passed.  On your bill you will find the amounts that make up the total bill, under the different taxing entities.  We collect the taxes, then the Town pays the State, the County, the School District, Fox Valley Tech, and the remainder is the Towns’ share.  The amount the Town charges/keeps is only legally allowed to increase by the amount of new development.  Please look your bill over when you get it.  If you have any questions, please call a town board member.

Town Hall Rental:   The Town Hall is available for meetings, family parties, etc.  The cost is $50 for the rental, plus a $50 deposit.  The deposit is returned after the day of rent,  and once the hall is found to be clean and in order after your party leaves.  To check for availability call the Town Clerk.  Now that the County has discontinued the Meals on Wheels in the Town Hall, we have more availability.  Renting the Town Hall is economical, and helps offset the cost of heating the building, thus making your tax dollars go farther.  We encourage you to think about renting the Town Hall for your events.

Items of Interest: this may be a repeat, but it is still true.   We have handled many complaints regarding traffic violations.  Please understand the Town does care about these issues, but your first call should be to the enforcement agency.  That would be Waupaca County Sheriff’s Department.  If it’s an emergency, call 911.  The non-emergency number for the Sheriff’s Department is 715-258-4466.

In an effort to make all traffic and roads safer, the Town is working on enforcement of the state statute that gives the Town authority to keep the Right of Way clear.  We are trying to make it the same across the whole town, as it should be.  Any planting of  trees, shrubs or hedges within 10 (ten) feet of the right of way, need to be approved by the Board.  Please contact a Board member if you have any questions about this. 

**If your Fire Number sign is damaged, please let a Town Board member know, so it can be replaced.**

Winter Snow Removal:    Before we get any snow events, we would like to remind all residents  of the state law, prohibiting us from pushing our snow across the road.  This is an unsafe practice, and causes many expensive problems for the snow plowing workers that are out keeping the roads clear.  Please remind anyone that you hire to plow out your driveway, too.  If they leave snow on the road to freeze down, you, the homeowner, could be held liable for their actions while in your employ.  An average snow fall, (anything over 2 inches, approximately), costs the town between 5 and 6 thousand dollars to have the whole town plowed and sand/salt.  It is also illegal to use your personal or business truck or tractor to plow the town roads.  If this is something you think you’d like to do, to ‘help out’, please refrain from doing this.  It is against the law and extremely unsafe.  Also, please don’t approach the snow plow vehicles or their drivers, as this could get you hurt, if they are looking at an object and don’t see you.  They are doing their job, and you should leave them to that.  If you have a complaint, you should be contacting a town official.

2021 Election Schedule:    February and April elections are the 2021 elections as of right now.  If there are any recalls or special elections, you will surely see it on TV or the news.  The Clerk will publish notice of any special elections as well.                                                                                                                                                                     

If you have moved or changed your name, you will need to register to Vote.  Getting registered in advance of the first Election saves the Voter a lot of time on Election Day.  If you would like to Register, please contact the Town Clerk, by calling 596-2143, or email a request to :  litlwolf@wolfnet.net                                                                                        

Any Absentee requests for the calendar year of 2020 will expire on December 31, 2020.  If you would like to continue to receive Absentee ballots after January 1, 2021, you may go to myVote.gov after January 1 and apply there, or contact the Town Clerk.  The Clerk will be happy to assist you.

LAND USE PERMITS

The Waupaca County Zoning Department issues Land Use Permits.  Please contact them If you are planning on doing any building. The rule of thumb is if it’s new or changing the outside dimensions of the structure, it requires a permit.  Their number is 715-258-6255.