Coleman named planners for Saxon Harbor rebuild

HURLEY — A team of companies led by Coleman Engineering will be responsible for developing the plans to rebuild Saxon Harbor after the Iron County Board of Supervisors awarded the company the development contract Tuesday.

The decision comes based on a recommendation by the highway and forestry committees, which made their recommendation after receiving six proposals for the work.

“Everything is moving at an accelerated pass,” Iron County Forestry and Parks Administrator Eric Peterson said regarding the time between the committees meeting Thursday and Tuesday’s final decision. He added the county’s corporation counsel has reviewed the agreement and the companies could begin work once the board signed off.

The team will consist of Coleman Engineering, Ayres Associates, Krech Ojard & Associates and Fresh Water Engineering, according to Coleman’s Paul Anderson.

Monday, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker announced the county would receive a $24,450 coastal management grant to help with the planning process — specifically the public-input stage — of the reconstruction of Saxon Harbor after it was destroyed during the heavy rains and flooding on July 11 and 12.

The rebuilding process could take three to four years and cost at least $10 million dollars, according to Peterson.

In other action:

— Following a public hearing on the issue, the board approved a package of resolutions enabling the county — along with other counties impacted by the July storm — to apply for community development block grant funds to assist qualifying residents and businesses impacted by the storm. The block grants are a program run by the federal government’s Department of Housing and Urban Development to assist low and moderate income residents, so only certain properties impacted by the storm will be eligible to receive building funds.

— The board approved the purchase of just over 400 acres of land near Caroline Lake in the town of Anderson from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The purchase costs the county $170,000, according to information presented at the meeting.

— The board also approved a pair of resolutions encouraging the state to continue maintaining a veterans service officer in each county, instead of consolidating the positions regionally. The resolutions would also keep a requirement the post be filled by a veteran and urges the state to revert back to the policy of allowing the entirety of the state grant on salary for the position — Iron County receives approximately $8,500 a year — instead of requiring a portion be spent on technology.