• Gillett Area Chamber Spring Clean Up

    Gillett Area Chamber Spring Clean Up

    It is that time of year again, and the Gillett Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to be able to hold our Gillett Area Spring Clean Up. This year, we will be working with the City of Gillett to clear away the sticks and leaves. Please sign up for your teams and help us beautify the city. Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 4th, from 10 am to 2 pm, and for everyone who volunteers, the Lion’s Club will be providing a Spaghetti Dinner! May the Fourth be with you! If you know of someone who could benefit from having their lawn cleaned up, please email us at gillettchamber@gmail.com.

  • Bellin Foundation

    Bellin Health was our Meeting Sponsor for March! Thank you, Monica and Bellin Health, for your support of the Gillett Area Chamber of Commerce. Here is some information on the Bellin Foundation and the Campus. For the Doctors’ Day recognition, you can scan the QR code and send your doctor a note of appreciation. If you’d like to support the Bellin Foundation in their work, a card with a QR code is included to give a gift.

  • Gillett Public Library

    Gillett Public Library

  • St. John’s Lutheran Church

    St. John’s Lutheran Church

    St. John’s Lutheran Church, LCMC was founded in 1892. After moving the head of Main Street and constructing the Clock Tower, the community has been a centerpiece of the community. Our location makes us a great place to have community events. We are always seeking to support our community and are involved with many of the local events in the area.

    We host community Cantatas for Christmas and Easter. We host the Community Care Share Food Pantry that has a food distribution on the 3rd Wednesday of each Month. We have a Coat & Hat pantry that has coats, hats, mittens, gloves, and footware that is for any that have a need.

    Our focus is on bringing the light of Christ in our community as we live into our motto – Serving God, His Church, His People….around the Clock.

  • January 2024 Meeting Minutes

    January 2024 Meeting Minutes

    Gillett Area Chamber of Commerce Membership Meeting February 8, 2024

    12:00 p.m. At St. John’s Lutheran Church (Clock Church)

    101 W. Main St., Gillett

    FEBRUARY AGENDA

    1. Welcome and Call to Order

    2. Appointment of New Board Member

    3. Introduction of Members

    4. Membership Spotlight: St. John’s Lutheran Church a. New Members/Ribbon Cuttings:

    5. Secretary’s Report

    6. Treasurer’s Report a. Grants b. Raffle Application

    7. City Report

    8. Forever Fund Committee Report

    9. Project Report-Outs a. Spring Clean Up 10.New Business a. Oconto County Economic Outlook b. Other New Business

    10. Old Business a. Strategic Plan 5-10-15 Updates b. Chamber Volunteer Shirts c. Chamber Ambassadors d. Other Old Business 12.Membership Updates 13.Adjourn

    1. Welcome and Call to Order

    2. Appointment of New Board Member

    3. Introduction of Members

    4. Membership Spotlight: St. John’s Lutheran Church a. New Members/Ribbon Cuttings:

    5. Secretary’s Report

    6. Treasurer’s Report a. Grants b. Raffle Application

    7. City Report

    8. Forever Fund Committee Report

    9. Project Report-Outs a. Spring Clean Up 10.New Business a. Oconto County Economic Outlook b. Other New Business

    10. Old Business a. Strategic Plan 5-10-15 Updates b. Chamber Volunteer Shirts c. Chamber Ambassadors d. Other Old Business 12.Membership Updates 13.Adjourn

  • City Council Meeting

    Mayor Josh McCarthy was absent from the meeting because his father passed away. Condolences to him and his family for the loss. Alderperson Jon Gildemeister resigned from the City Council on the morning of January 4, so the Council consists of Ashley Van Straten, Jerry Luther, Irene Drake, and Nanette Mohr. Alderperson Mohr presided over the proceedings of the meeting.

    It was reported that there were only two of the four positions that had anyone submit paperwork for the upcoming City Elections. One is for the mayor, and Nanette Mohr is for her seat. We still have two open board positions with no candidates.

    Highlights for the reports offered were the purchase of a new Skidsteer for Public Works. The cost was $37,000, of which $19,000 will be reimbursed by a grant from Rural Development. The police have only received one application for the vacant police officer position, and with the tight labor market, particularly for police, a request was made to take that into consideration for next year’s budget cycle for greater wages. Chief Breitenbach has been flexing his schedule to allow for greater coverage over different times, which is a difficulty considering the current staffing situation. There were 1359 calls which Gillett Police responded to over the past year, and the Sheriff’s department assisted in calls 471 times, some in cooperation with the Police and others when there was no police officer on duty. Response time is significantly longer for the Sheriff’s office, about 15 to 20 minutes. Both police and fire departments participated in active shooter training in December to be able to work together in case of a mass casualty incident. For both departments, there have been a lot of firsts in the community, beginning with dealing with a bomb threat at the school, police have been needed to respond to more incidents in school, and the stabbing death that occurred earlier in the year. Gillett Fire has been working a lot with Underhill and the Ambulance squad to assist in accidents and in lift assists.

    Parks and Cemetery received a significant donation of concrete from Gillett Concrete to help with some of the work they have been doing. Water use at Seneca has gone down, but prices for necessary materials for the water treatment plant have significantly increased in recent years. A multi-team meeting will be held following the Health, Protection, and License Committee meeting (4:30 PM) on January 18 at 5:30 PM.

    There are also many of the Committees and Commissions that are seeking volunteers to serve for the benefit of the city. If you are interested, please contact City Hall and give them your information.

  • UW-Madison Oconto County Extension

    Oconto County has a slew of well-kept secrets…trout hatchery, logging camp, quartz hill, copper park, AND UW-Madison Division of Extension! Discover what Extension can do for you, in whatever role(s) you have! Whether you are a part of a family, an organization, an entrepreneur, or a community member, Extension’s goal is to bring the “Wisconsin Idea” to life. The Wisconsin Idea is that education should influence people’s lives beyond the boundaries of a classroom. We teach, learn, lead, and serve, connecting people to engage and transform lives and communities. Through the partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Oconto County, educators provide evidence-based- and research-based resources and programming on Community Development, Crops and Soil, Agriculture, 4H, FoodWIse, and Human Development and Relationships. We partner with other local agencies and work to complement current programming as well as develop new offerings. We envision healthy, strong, and resilient children, youth, and adults living in safe and thriving communities. Katie Daul presented to the Chamber in December and shared programming around Lifespan and Financial Literacy. Current programs include StrongBodies strength training for mental and physical well-being; WISE Wisconsin and Aging Mastery Program focuses on healthy aging and social connectedness; family caregiving support and resources; and coalition work around access to transportation – a part of Healthy Oconto County. Financial Literacy programs include Planning AHEAD, where participants can plan for end of life and share with loved ones; financial coaching, offering one-on-one confidential conversations to grow in financial capability; Rent Smart, modules for renter and landlord expectations; and Covering Wisconsin, advocates who assist with health insurance and coverage, free of charge. If you are looking for resources for a role you have, reach out to Extension to see how we can help! We are here to serve and are so privileged to be a part of your community! 

    (920) 834-6845

    Facebook – Oconto County UW-Extension

    Website – https://oconto.extension.wisc.edu 

  • December 2023

    December 2023

    Public Hearing on the Budget for 2024

    On December 7, 2023, I attended the Public Hearing on the 2024 Annual Budget for the City of Gillett and the Common Council Meeting. To inform our business leaders and citizens, we will make an effort to make sure that someone from the Chamber is in attendance at each meeting and will offer a brief report on what was decided in the discussions and information shared on upcoming plans.

    The 2024 Budget discussed at the Public Hearing has been available for review at the Gillett Public Library. The proposed budget for 2024 is $1,866,038.00. This is an increase of $55,020 from 2023. The budget consisted of many cuts because of the city’s obligation to repay $230,000 for TID2, which failed to perform and did not produce the necessary tax revenue to meet the requirements of the TID. This is 12% of the current budget and is causing some deep cuts in some of our city services. The two most affected department cuts can be found within the Police Department and Fire Department, with 50% cuts in proposed equipment and supplies and vehicle maintenance for the Fire Department. This is a 3% decrease from last year’s budget. While the Police Department, for the most part, was unchanged, this follows a significant cut that was made to the Police Department in the budget year 2023, which was from 2022 actual wages paid of $231,130.94 to a budgeted wage for the department of $179,933 in 2023. The Fire Department did receive a much-needed truck, and they were able to sell the old unit for only $2000 less than what they paid for it 20 years ago. The funds for the new Fire Truck came out of ARCityunds that remained with the City. The Fire Department vehicle maintenance for 2023 was less than budgeted at $12,158.53 and has been budgeted at $8000 for the budget year 2024; Fire Dept. equipment and supplies were also less than budgeted for 2023 at actual expenditures of $10,753.37 and for the budget year 2024 is $8000. No money was budgeted for Fire Dept. liability insurance which for 2022 and 2023 was $8,581.29 and $8,094.44, respectively. In 2024, the Recycling Center will not be open for public use, but they will have a Spring Cleanup opportunity on May 4, 2024, in which all things may be brought for Recycling. Clerk/Treasurer wages increased in the budget year 2024 from $49,232 the budget year 2023 to $53,040, Police Wages were raised in the budget year 2024 from $179,933 in the budget year 2023 to $190,000, and Public Works Wages increased from $93,000 in the budget year 2023 to $140,000 (a point to note is that actual wages paid in 2022 and 2023 were $111,574.92 and $128,474.18 respectively). The City of Gillett has been able to cut internet costs from what had been budgeted, which is a significant savings to the budget.

    For the 2024 budget, the increase will mean that there will be a $5/mil increase in each resident in the City of Gillett. This will be an increase of $750 in the property taxes for a property that is valued at $150,000 tax year 2024. I did ask the City if there were plans in place to ensure that no other TID would fail to perform and was informed that TID3 and the newly formed TID4 are positioned to perform well. TID3 is performing well currently, and TID4 is newly formed but includes Dollar General and should perform well in the future too. The greater issue that is making it difficult for the City of Gillett to grow is the lack of available land surrounding us, and they are seeking any insight into how we can work together to resolve that issue.

    December 2023 Common Council Meeting

    A new Alderperson has been appointed to fill the term for the Ward 1 position that had been recently vacated by the newly elected Alderperson Jason Ketchum. The vacated seat of Alderperson Marie Blaser will be on the ballot in 2024 and remains vacant. I will have to report the name since I do not see any records of her appointment within the Common Council Meeting Minutes, and her name is not listed on the Agenda for December’s meeting. Alderperson Jon Gildemeister was absent. There was little public input at the beginning of the meeting. Ayres and Associates reported on the Washington Street project, which has been mostly completed aside from some of the things they will do in Spring to restore and plant greenery that was too late to plant in the Fall at the conclusion of the project, but the roadway is now open. Before and after pictures were shared, and an explanation of the new storm sewer that has been put into place in lieu of culverts and ditches, which had been there previously. The road has been built to withstand trucks and heavier traffic, as well as the new bridge, which, because of its size and how it is built, does not require guardrails. The project was over a $2 million project and has beautified that area and has prepared the city with an alternative route for 2025-26 when the Hwy 22 Project is slated to begin.

    The Library is busy and has a lot of great programs, as well as the MAPs(Museum and Attractions) Program, which has passes that can be checked out for the Children’s Museum and, eventually, the Neville and the National Railroad Museum. The Summer Reading Program is already being planned, as well as various library programs for the community. The County Library Board is still meeting to discuss options for the libraries in Oconto County. Police Chief Breitenbach was excused from the meeting but reported that we will be losing an officer in the New Year as she has taken a position in New London, so they are looking for more officers, but both part-time officers are being considered for the position. Training continues with an officer recently attending a Detectives training course. Fire Chief Hicks was not in attendance, but the Assistant Fire Chief was there to report to the Department. They are still in need of volunteers, with 19 on the roster at this time. A full roster is 25.

    I updated the City on our membership with the Chamber and the programs coming in 2024. I did request to know more about how the Gillett Area Chamber and the City would proceed with funding and membership. Action was taken on the Tourism and Marketing Commission, in which Alderperson Jerry Luther and I were appointed to the Tourism and Marketing Commission.

    One area that was brought up by Utilities Director Ron Anderson when discussing the Parks is the lack of movement by the Parks and Cemetery Committee about the new playground equipment proposal, which he and members of the staff have been working to get support in the community. It was reported that there were few meetings held with the committee, and this is a project that will benefit the community as a whole and bring people to use our park and visit our City. He desires to see more of the community involved. It was discussed to create a subcommittee for this project. No action was taken by the Council on this issue.

    The Budget was discussed and passed with some services changing. The City of Gillett will have a new Law Firm representing the City in 2024, and the accounting firm is being changed because of a significant increase in rate. The new firm will be the same as the current rate with no raises in the foreseeable future, but the level of support that is currently there is promised to be given by them. So, it was voted on to make these changes.

    Aside from the 2024 Budget, there was nothing of great significance that was presented in the meeting. If anyone would like to run for any of the upcoming vacancies – Wards 1, 2, and 3, have a seat open for a run as well as the Mayor’s office. Forms are due by January 2, and more information may be obtained at the City Clerk’s Office.

  • November 2023 Meeting Minutes

    November 2023 Meeting Minutes

  • December Gillett Happenings

    Check out some of our Chamber Members Events!

    If you missed the LIon’s Club Annual Christmas in the Park! You missed a wonderful event with vendors from around the area at the Vendor’s Market held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, a.k.a Clock Church, and family activities, including photos with Santa Claus done by Photos By Keri at the 4H Fair Buiding in Zippel Park, with all the festivities capped off by a beautiful fireworks display on Saturday, December 2! Make sure to put this event on your calendar for next year as it falls on the first Saturday of December Annually! December 8 there are some great opportunities to get into the festive spirit – Thurmont Ridge will be giving their annual Christmas Concert at 7 PM on December 8th at St. John’s Lutheran Church (Clock Church), and you can go to Spirits of Gillett at 8 PM to enjoy the sounds of Brandon Raatz & Co. December 9th, Spirits of Gillett and check out their Facebook page will also be hosting Santa Claus at 1 pm! On December 14, 15, and 16 at 7 PM and December 17 at 2 PM take in the Annual Community Christmas Cantata at St. John’s Lutheran Church (Clock Church which involves people of all the local congregations in the Gillett Area. If you’d like to participate in the Annual Christmas Caroling Event hosted by the Gillet Area Ambulance Service join us at the Ambulance Garage on Sunday, December 17th at 4 PM and help us share the Christmas Spirit as we go to various places around the City of Gillett to sing to residents in the area!

    Primal Eats has a great lineup of entertainment on December 8th, 9th, 15th, and 16th. Head out to Primal Eats on Saturday, December 8th for some great Christmas events including an opportunity to meet with Santa Claus and while you are there stop by the Christmas Shop to purchase those special Primal Eats gifts for those you love! You can find out about their musical events as well as their upcoming events on their Facebook page.

    Join us and the members of the Gillett Area Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the wonderment of the Christmas Season and the Community that we call home!