7-16-26 Highway Committee meeting

Waupaca County Highway Committee meeting, July 16, 2026: The committee considered a Town of Madison 50/50 bridge-and-culvert aid petition for replacing a 36-inch, 40-foot culvert, with a proposed county share of up to $5,000; the transcript does not clearly capture the final vote. Members approved a bid from Robert E. Lee and Associates for design and right-of-way work (the amount is transcribed as approximately $137,750) and approved Westwood Infrastructure for engineering work on County Highway J, including potential right-of-way acquisition budgeted at about $40,000. The committee also approved a full-mat paving option for a deteriorated section of County Highway E, estimated at $177,250, with milling details to be determined. For County Highway A, staff described a planned division of work: county crews would perform earthwork and related tasks, while fine grading and paving would be bid out under the applicable funding requirements. The committee discussed a safety evaluation and possible improvements at Highway 22 and Double Q, but clarified that the resolution was not a county funding commitment and that state DOT action and funding were uncertain.

The committee approved several equipment purchases for upcoming budgets, including a John Deere tractor with Diamond flail mowers for $185,158.48, two one-ton dump trucks for a combined $204,000, and equipment for a 2028 quad-axle dump truck at a transcribed amount of about $268,500. It also approved ordering 2027 quad-axle and tandem truck chassis. Staff reviewed the proposed 2027 maintenance budget at roughly the prior year’s level and a five-year capital plan; figures remain subject to grants and budget decisions. Recent awards included about $740,000 in CHI grants, and a roughly $2.4 million STP grant was reported for County Highway X, with other applications pending. The committee also authorized action under state statute to stake highway right-of-way boundaries and address access and camping concerns along County Highway E. A resolution thanking local fire departments for a prescribed burn was approved; it did not involve a procurement award.