Welcome To The Town Of Buffalo 

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THE ABCs OF TOWN GOVERNMENT

May 2023 #30

In a previous post, I noted a major town govt. responsibility found in Wis.stat 60.55(1); "The town board must provide for fire protection services for the town."  I need to re-visit this responsibility due to recent discussions. Our town provides fire protection services as one of four muncipalities (Towns of Buffalo, Cross, Milton and City of Ft. City) comprising the Ft. City Fire Protection Association. We receive full fire and emergency services for approximately $20,000/year. Granted, the last three to four years have been significantly more expensive because of the essential need of a new fire station and replacement of an outdated truck.  Now a similar situation is pending. The department is functioning with a tanker that is over 30 years old and no longer meets safety standards (it is "grandfathered")and does function for limited use.  For over a year the association has explored options including re-fit and a newer but used unit but neither is a possibility. A new tanker is $330,000 and available 18-24 months from date of order. There is $100,000 in the equipment account and another $30,000 estimated return from sale of current equipment leaving a $200,000 balance for the association within the next two years. Grant applications are being explored but cannot be counted on leaving the Town of Buffalo with $25,000 in additional budget funds for each of the next two years. Thankfully, the CAPX fund still has resources and likely will help but it is still a significant financial issue for the town budget.

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The TOB Town Hall is again available for rental purposes, depending on dates and with certain conditions, limitations applied. Contact Claire Waters for availability and details. 

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Occasionaly, there is an issue or announcement related to town business that seems to rise to the need to make contact with as many citizens as possible. One timely way to do this is through email contact. If you are not on the town's contact email list and would like to be, please contact [email protected].  This is used for emergency/important town business ONLY.

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We appreciated the approximately 50 citizens who came to the March 23 Broadband Public Hearing.  If you were unable to attend and wish to have more information concerning the Broadband Project and resulting proposed special tax assessment, please contact a TOB Board member or a Broadband Committee member.

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APPEAL FOR VOLUNTEER HELP

The town would like to do a "Spring Clean" at the town hall and is seeking some volunteer help to make that possible. This would involve general cleaning chores in kitchen, store room, etc. The plan is to set aside some time in May to do this. If you are willing to help, contact Claire Waters  (608 687 8419) for details.

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NOTICE:

The Town of Buffalo has scheduled the statutory directed meetings referenced as Open Book and Board of Review as follows:

OPEN BOOK (Wis.ss.70.45) Tuesday, May 30, 2023, 2:00 - 4:00 PM at town hall. No appt. is necessary. Town assessor will be present.

BOARD OF REVIEW (Wis.ss 70.45, 70.47, 70.52) Tuesday, June 6, 2023, 6:00-8:00PM at the town hall. Appointments are required. Contact Lisa Braaten 715.495.4736

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I am disappointed to announce that our most recent application for a broadband grant project was not selected for funding. This was not a total surprise as the "pot" of money was realitively small (+/- 15 M) and a large number of applicants with grant requests smaller than ours (2.1 M.) The good news is that a new (and much larger) round of grant funds is anticipated in the next few weeks so the time lag is potentially less than we might have anticipated earlier.  This assumes our committee will approve a third appication.   

Guess what?  Have a reunion, birthday party, graduation or just a plain ole family gathering? Are you aware the town hall is available for rent?

Full kitchen, RR facilities, air conditioning, plenty of tables & chairs, use of park.  Special rate for multiple days

Contact Claire Waters at 687-8419 for details.

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