Dear editor,

The town board is planning to take over the water utility which I originally was not totally opposed. However, after the board chairman was pressing the water utility to cover the shared superintendent’s salary, while helping the public works cover the retirement of Jon Sonnenberg for the remainder of the year, I had to secure a letter from the Wisconsin Public Works commission stating they could not do this.

Also their possible intention to build a new shared public works department at the transfer site using water utility funds, I am now opposed to the takeover by the town.

They are looking to use your money to cover their additional expenses.

They originally stated they would discuss with the utility residents, which apparently is not true, and have had zero discussion with the Rome Water Utility board, although they had stated they would discuss this with us.

Folks, this is YOUR utility and YOUR money that built this. The town paid $1 for the utility and now owns an asset worth $6 million dollars that you paid for.

In the short discussion I had with them, I also stated this would be a good time to work out the issue of the Fire Protection Fee and the Payment in Lieu of Taxes that the ratepayers have been paying for to the tune of $134,000 this year. The payment in Lieu of taxes is, in my opinion, a bogus tax to cover the value of the property tax of a town asset. Your current and past boards have done a good job of ensuring that this utility is in excellent financial condition.
This is on the agenda for the Oct. 17 board meeting and you need to state your opinion, for or against, but please ensure you have good information.

If you have additional questions you may call me, Carl Hasdal 612-751-4779; the utility, 715-325-2600; or Chad, the Utility Superintendent, 715-572-4871.

“No. 16. Discussion and action – Update on consideration of making the Rome Water Utility a division under the Department of Public Works, with oversight by a Public Works and Utilities Committee, and hiring a Director of Public Works.”

Carl Hasdal

Town of Rome