By Tina Kitt

The Wauneta Breeze

Significant strides have been made in cleaning up neglected and aging properties around Wauneta, and more improvements are in the works. 

Village Superintendent Bill Bischoff told board members he has been assisting Mike Nichols in clearing debris from where the town’s former motel stood along Highway 6 as part of the Village’s one-time cleanup offer for those looking to upgrade properties in Wauneta.  

The old motel and a trailer house located near the Corner Cupboard convenience store were recently knocked down and burned as the Nichols family works to clean up the lot and make repairs on the quonset hut building for a business enterprise.

Other properties in line for demolition with the help of the Village crew include the former Scott house, which now belongs to Ron and Joyce Bley, and the former Bartels house located north of the school. That property has been purchased with private donations with the land to be donated to the school district.

Property belonging to the Hayes family on the eastern edge of town, which has been vacant for a number of years, is also slated for a cleanup.

Board members expressed their appreciation for property owners taking steps to help improve the community.

More property improvements 

likely coming with grant award

While a formal announcement is still pending from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, Village board members received word that the request for $315,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds has been okayed for owner-occupied housing upgrades and improvements in Wauneta.

To facilitate the grant process the board approved the Owner Occupied Rehabilitation Grant Program Guidelines as well as approving the Fair Housing Affirmative Action Plan. The board also gave formal approval to a self evaluation and transition plan to guarantee compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Ann Burge of the Southwest Nebraska Community Betterment Corporation said a formal announcement on the grant award and OOR program will soon be released.

Municipal improvements

Bischoff brought the board up to speed on projects the Village crew is tackling around town. 

Tree trimming along power lines will be a primary focus this fall. Property owners who have trees growing into overhead power lines are asked to contact the Village Office to arrange to have those tree limbs removed at no charge.

Bischoff told the board that due to misuse and noncompliance the Village needs to begin more strictly enforcing rules at the municipal tree and grass pile. The gate to the site will no longer remain open around the clock. Instead, community members can access the area from dawn to dusk and anyone seen dumping household trash there will be fined $100.

Electric system upgrades continue to be made, reported Bischoff, and the electric rate study being conducted for the Village is nearing completion. A 10 KVA mobile generator sold through the federal surplus process has been purchased for municipal use and the board discussed possibly purchasing a sewer vacuum through federal surplus. Options for acquiring a smaller bucket truck were also discussed.

In further business, the board approved a temporary liquor license for a New Year’s Eve dance at the Legion Hall, to be hosted by Tommy’s Sports Club.

Pay increases approved

Salary and wage increases for Village of Wauneta employees were approved, with cost-of-living increases guiding the board, with the approved increases effective Oct. 1.

Bischoff will see a 3 percent increase in his annual salary of $46,500 up $1,350 from last year’s $45,150.

Village Clerk Evelyn Skelton received a raise of 75 cents per hour, increasing her hourly wage from $14.75 to $15.50.

Billing Clerk Patsy Williams received an increase of 25 cents per hour, with her wage going from $7.75 to $8.

Ryan McCrumb received a raise of 50 cents per hour, bumping him to $11 per hour.

Shane Lawless, who recently saw his status change from part-time to full time, received a 25 cents per hour wage increase, bumping him to $8.25, with another 25 cent increase possible after a six month evaluation period. He will also be in line for another 25 cent wage increase once he earns his lagoon license.

Kenny Lawless, who works part-time during the summer, will also receive a 25 cent wage increase, putting his hourly wage at $7.75.

Librarian Ruth Hohl requested that her hourly wage remain the same at $9.25 per hour.

Board members said they greatly value the work done by each of these employees.