WAUPUN — The Waupun City Council voted on a variety of matters at the Special Common Council Meeting last week, Tuesday, January 28, 2025.
This included the matter of purchasing a new 2025 Chevrolet 2500 Heavy Duty 4WD truck for the Waupun Department of Public Works.
From their January 14 meeting, the Board of Public Works’ recommendation was to purchase the new truck from Homan Auto, which was quoted at $45,750.00. This was compared to Holiday Auto for $44,185.60 and Ewald for $44,588.00, plus a $57 delivery fee. The Board voted to purchase from Homans after conducting a value assessment for the vehicle, as Homan Auto is a Waupun taxpayer while the other two are not, along with Homans offering to perform warranty work regardless of where it was purchased.
The Council voted to accept the recommendation 5-1, with Alderman Pete Kaczmarski dissenting.
“I dissented at the DPW meeting—I looked at the information that was provided to us regarding the delivery and warranty services, and it did not warrant to me a $1,500 difference,” Kaczmarski said. “I looked at the policy and it worked for the police department vehicle, which was a much tighter difference of only about $600—which certainly justified that. I don’t have anything against Homans personally, but I feel that there are too many times with our budget that we have $1,500 to do whatever—especially if you multiply that over how many times this kind of transaction happens.”
The new vehicle was replacing a 2006 truck which had reached end of service.
The Council then voted to purchase a new Western Snowplow 9’6” MPV3 from Madison Truck & Equipment for the amount of $8,374. This is an attachment for the new 2025 3/4 Ton Pickup Truck for the DPW.
The next item on the agenda was the renaming of the former Waupun Community Center at 510 E Spring Street, now “Waupun Recreational Arena.”
The Council then approved an easement agreement and a highway setback for the new Carver Flats apartment development in the Heritage Ridge subdivision. The new apartment complex with four planned buildings was approved back in December, and must start construction no later than August 1, 2025.
The next item was related to another new development, the construction of a new Dollar General Market which will go up in the empty grass lot next to Stobb Plumbing. The Council approved an easement agreement, drainage agreement, electrical agreement, and sewer agreement for the new development. The Council also approved sending a petition to the Wis DOT to remove a restriction on that section of road from having a new access driveway to Main Street.
No details have been released on the timeline of construction. Once completed, the current Dollar General will likely close in favor of the larger store planned only a few doors down.
The Council then authorized a contract with Excel Engineering for an ammonia detection system scan and engineering support for the amount of $13,600 at the Waupun Ice Arena at 510 E Spring Street. Passed unanimously.
Alderwoman Kambria Ledesma also rescinded her resignation, which she had submitted after announcing she was moving to another city. As she has not moved or sold her house yet, she will be able to finish out the rest of her term which ends in April.
Waupun Utilities gave a presentation on the sewer rate study and wastewater analysis conducted this year. This presentation was given so the Council would be more informed to vote on it at a future meeting.
The Council then went into closed session to discuss the purchase of a property in TID 3 which was for sale in the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Auction. No details were released, but the motion passed unanimously.
