Town of West Sweden September 23, 2010

Special Meeting regarding changing speed limit on 150^th Street by Diamond Lake (between 350^th Avenue and 360^th Avenue).

Meeting called to order at 6:00p.m. Present at the meeting were Dennis O’Donnell- Chairman, Scott Wilder and Glenn Meier- Supervisors, Phyllis Wilder–Treasurer, Andrea Lundquist-Clerk, and Kevin Taylor - Patrolman. Residents and onlooker included Walter Schommer, Mary Schommer, Bill Schommer, Carol Schommer, Lori Lundquist, William Johnson, Roxanne White, Christopher Spaight from DNR, Officer Steven Sacharski from Burnett County, Joe Schommer, Jim Kolander, Christopher Sower, Cora Sower, Tom Searing, Carol Searing, Simon Nelson, and Terry Taylor.

Dennis opened the meeting and stated that he spoke with the Wisconsin Towns Association and was told we need an engineered study before we can do anything on the road. Andrea also emailed with the Wisconsin Town’s Association and was given information stating that a study can be done by the town with a town official volunteer sitting in the area counting cars.

Walter Schommer, Andrea Lundquist, and Lori Lundquist, among other residents, stated their concerns on the section of 150^th Street between 350^th and 360th. Joe Schommer stated that he wants the limit to remain unchanged. He said that he has lived there a long time and has never had concerns about the corner.

Officer Sacharski from the Burnett County Sheriff’s department shared results from a recent traffic study at the area just North of West Sweden. They discovered that the number of cars traveling on that span of road was either 250 or 700 cars per day, and the speed most vehicles traveled before and after the Burnett County curves north of the county line ranged from 39-52 mph. He also stated that the there was new evidence regarding the accident in that area on June 30^th which stated that the driver who lost control was traveling around 57 mph, which is 2 mph over the legal limit in that area currently.

DNR Officer Christopher Spaight also mentioned that he was at the intersection of 150^th/Old 35 and County Line Road/360^th Avenue detouring the traffic after the accident on June 30^th and stated that it was a very difficult intersection to control as the cars were coming very quickly and there are large pines and brush that block the area from the South. He also felt the roadway was very narrow in that area.

Scott stated that he would be willing to do the traffic study for the Town of West Sweden as Andrea previously described above. Glenn stated concerns as to what hours or days to do the study, as counts can vary greatly depending on what time of year(summer)/day of the week(weekend)/time of day(“rush” hour).

Dennis said he would not proceed further with the process without an engineered study. It was suggested that the Town of West Sweden cost share the engineered study with the Town of Daniels. Town of Daniels representative, Christopher Sower, said he would be willing to bring it to their town board at their next meeting October 12^th.

A motion was made by Glenn to cost share the engineering study with the Town of Daniels to add the information to the Burnett County traffic study. Scott seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion carried.

The issued will be tabled until we hear from the Town of Daniels as to sharing the engineered study for 150^th/Old 35 after the Town of Daniels town board October meeting.

Motion to adjourn the meeting made by Scott and seconded by Glenn. Motion Carried.

Meeting adjourned at 6:43pm.

Andrea Lundquist, clerk