Earlier this fall, Chippewa Falls-based Cooperative Educational Service Agency (CESA 10) Energy Consultant Steve Craker conducted a free energy audit on Altoona’s city hall and public library building. So far, the city has undergone two of the three audit phases in the administration’s efforts to determine exactly where and how they can save money by “going green.” 

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   The Town of Washington Board addressed the ongoing process of restructuring staff positions and organizational hierarchy once more at their meeting on Thursday, November 20. While much has been finalized, members of the board recognized the need to find potential candidates for available positions. Specifically, board members were asked to consider the consolidation of the clerk/treasurer position and the administrator position into one.

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   Altoona residents can expect to play an active role in the future of River Prairie, thanks to a suggestion by Mayor Tom Meyer to hold a public meeting on the development in early 2009. Meyer made the suggestion at the city council meeting on Thursday, November 20, where council members unanimously approved the 2009 budget.

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   “Hopefully, we’re slowly ramping up to meet future obligations without putting a major burden on in one year on repairs,” said Pfeilsticker, referring to last year’s 63-percent rate increase on the city’s water rates, a result of not increasing rates since the early ‘90s. From now on, the city will try to spread costs to residents in the form of smaller annual utility increases instead of larger hikes every few years. “We’re not going to wait another 14 years for another rate review in the water department. Sixty-three percent is simply too much.”

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   On Tuesday, November 11, the Altoona Fire Department set a Hillcrest Estates trailer home on fire in an effort to test the investigative skills of their crew. After being set ablaze using undisclosed methods earlier in the day, firefighters spent the evening investigating the origin of the fire – without the help of department lieutenants and investigators, whose job it usually is to investigate. After each individual has a chance to do their own figuring, they will present their findings to the rest of the crew, then find out what really happened. The practice session, which occurs every few years, is aimed at preparing firefighters to work on their own. Above, Captain Jason Knecht and Lieutenant Tim Lange prepare to extinguish a simulated kitchen fire.

   Members discussed their recollections of the election at the Town of Washington Board meeting on Thursday, November 6. Many expressed positive opinions about the process as well as how workers handled the surprising flood of early voters. Others voiced concerns about how absentee ballots will be counted in the future.

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   Considering the intense efforts by national and local candidates to get voters’ attention, election day turnout in Altoona and the Town of Washington remained stable for the presidential election this year; some numbers even decreased.

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   At the Altoona City Council meeting on Thursday, October 30, council members made a decision to help make the city of Altoona more energy-independent.

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   Altoona residents Dan and Judi Malone are working hard to ensure residents have options when it comes to bar establishments in the area. As owners of Happy Hollow Tavern for over three years, they know what it takes to run a successful business. On Wednesday, October 15, the Malones became owners of Tailgates Sports Bar and Grill on Clairemont Avenue in Eau Claire. They are hoping to take the success of their Altoona establishment and use that as a template for this bar.

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   The Town of Washington Board focused on restructuring the staff positions and job descriptions for the town at the board’s regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, October 16. As the town continues to prepare for winter months, members of the board were finalizing their annual budgetary planning process as well.

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