Village of Campbellsport announces changes to public services

SUBMITTED ARTICLE

As with most organizations, it is important to reflect and evaluate needs, structures and best practices in times of change, and to be transparent about ongoing changes! This has been true with the Village of Campbellsport the last few months, and we feel it is right to communicate changes that we are currently undertaking for the next few months to evaluate their effectiveness with continuity of services, continued fiscal responsibility of public funds, and professional development of our staff!

Wastewater (Sewer)

In May of this year, Nate Bodden, our Wastewater Operator, left the village for a different opportunity. With his departure, it allowed the Village to evaluate our needs across all of our utility and public works departments. Adam Konen, who began working for the village in 2022 as General Labor Crew I, has been put onto a path to earn his wastewater certifications to operate the plant as well as continue assisting the public works team with general labor crew tasks.

During this period of transition, while Adam has received previous training from the previous wastewater operator, the village has contracted with MSA Professional Services to assist in training and operations with Adam. This contract runs until the end of 2025, and will be evaluated at that time for the level of service the village needs to ensure Adam’s continued success!

Thank you, Nate, for your years of service to the village, and thank you to Adam for taking on a new set of responsibilities!

Public Works: Infrastructure and Utilities

Over the last few years; Campbellsport has experienced a large increase in development and public works projects. Administration has planned and recruited the following projects with the village board, plan commission and professional service partners: approved, permitted or constructed 138 new housing units (a 17% increase in total housing units) since 2020, opened a new subdivision, continued development in the Campbellsport Business Park – South, redone 15% of all roadways in the village, and have undertaken park improvement projects. Even with all of this progress, there are still significant projects coming up with the Water Treatment Plant and Wastewater Treatment Plant capital improvements, new residential proposals, and business expansions in the next few years.

To carry out administration and the village board’s planning and projects, along with safe delivery of all utility services, the Director of Public Works position has been transitioned into the Infrastructure and Utility Manager role, with Mark Gruber bringing his knowledge and experience with development and public works projects in the village to guide the strategic capital improvement projects and developments to their successful completion. This position also ensures proper compliance with all Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource standards for our water distribution system, and wastewater collection system, and is ultimately responsible for all reporting.

Mike Phillips, who began working for the village in 2016 as General Labor Crew I, has been elevated to General Labor Crew II – Lead (Water) to allow the new Infrastructure and Utility Manager role to coordinate

the above-mentioned projects. General Labor Crew II – Lead (Water) serves as the day-to-day team lead for our General Labor Crew, and coordinates with the Infrastructure and Utility manager on tasks that need to be completed on projects and in the utilities, as well as leading routine maintenance tasks throughout the village. The water designation also signifies that Mike has successfully completed training with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to obtain his water certifications.

We thank Mark and Mike for their continued dedication to delivering progress in our community, and delivering safe and reliable services!

Village Hall

In Village Hall, Angel Rettler, who started with the village in 2023, will be leaving the village for a different opportunity. With her departure, we will be elevating Christine Coulter, our current Deputy Clerk-Treasurer since 2024, to Interim Clerk-Treasurer as we determine our next steps forward.

Chris previously worked for Ottery Transportation as the Human Resource and Safety Director, and served as the Interim Clerk-Treasurer for the City of Mayville before choosing to come and work for the Village of Campbellsport. The village thanks Chris for serving as our Interim Clerk-Treasurer!

With this transition, we will be temporarily changing Village Hall hours to be Monday – Thursday 8AM – 4PM, and the office will be by APPOINTMENT ONLY and closed to the public on Fridays. Staff will still be present in office and working.

Thank you, Angel, for your years of service to the village, and contributions to our greater community.

Police Department

With the Police Department, Officer Becky Possin, who has worked for the village since 2023, has retired. We thank Officer Possin for her contributions to our community over the last several years, and wish her the best.

The Village of Campbellsport remains committed to our police department, and advertisements for a new full-time officer will be going out in the following weeks.

As administrator, it is my responsibility to advise the board on personnel policy decisions, and I feel that these changes are best with the circumstances which have been created. Our team here at the village is still dedicated to providing the best service possible to all who depend on us.

As stated above the new TEMPORARY Village Hall hours will be Monday – Thursday 8AM – 4PM and the office will be by APPOINTMENT ONLY and closed to the public on Fridays. This change takes effect the week of August 25th.

If you have any concerns, public comments are available at every board meeting the second Monday of each month at 6:00PM at 470 Grandview Ave, PO 709, Campbellsport, WI 53010.