NORWAY — The Wisconsin Department of Transportation remains interested in acquiring about 328 acres of land the city of Norway owns in Wisconsin near its hydroelectric dam.

WisDOT first expressed interest in 2021 and it was a topic of discussion at a June 2022 council meeting. At that time, the council had more questions and WisDOT put the plan on hold.

On Wednesday, WisDOT representative Jay Waldschmidt explained to the city council that WisDOT is looking to divest itself of 24 waysides it no longer needs. The waysides were purchased in the 1970s with funds from the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. In order to sell them, encumbrances from the fund must be removed by purchasing a similar amount of property.

The city’s parcel is near the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Menominee River State Recreation Area and would be managed for public outdoor recreation purposes, so the land would remain for public use.

Waldschmidt said if the city was interested in moving forward, the next steps would be a survey, an appraisal and negotiations. Council member Jeff Muraro pointed out the city has encumbrances on the parcel with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Cheryl Laatsch of the Wisconsin DNR said FERC regulations state the encumbrance covers those lands that are necessary for project operations and removing land is common practice.

The council wanted to know what kind of offer WisDOT was prepared to make.

“For us to even think about going forward we are going to have to see some kind of proposal on what kind of money you are talking about for the parcel,” Mayor Candy Brew said.

Waldschmidt said WisDOT was ready to do the survey if the city was interested.

While the council took no formal action, they did agree they wanted to see a ballpark figure. City Manager Dan Stoltman made it clear to Waldschmidt that by going forward the council was not necessarily committing to a sale.

In other business, the council:

— Selected Muraro to be mayor pro tem. The position became available when Scott Popp resigned from the council in September.

— Approved a change order request from the electrical department in regards to the ongoing head gate replacement project on the city’s hydroelectric dam. Upon the installation of the initial gates, some design deficiencies were discovered that will add $87,890 to the cost of the project. The cost of the head gate project is being spread out at $100,000 per year and the changes will add $29,296 per year for the three years remaining. Electrical Department Foreman Scott Hegy noted this year’s budget has room to move for the capital expenditure.

— Accepted a proposal from RDA Services LLC for consultation services on issues such as the upcoming union contract negotiations, employee recruitment and zoning ordinances. The agreement is for $500 a week for 10 weeks, not to exceed $5,000. The president and CEO of RDA Services is former Norway City Manager Ray Anderson.

— Voted to remove former city treasurer Natalie Rossi as a signatory on city bank accounts and to add the new treasurer, Kevin Jokela.

— Approved a special event permit for the Downtown Development Authority to have Christmas in Norway on Dec. 6. In addition to the usual craftmaking in City Hall, tree lighting, Santa parade and fireworks, this year’s event will feature a Christmas market inside the American Legion hall. There will also be s’mores-making and a Christmas tree and wreath sale at Veterans Square.

— Agreed to move the Wednesday, Nov. 20, meeting to 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 25, to better adjust to Michigan’s firearm deer season.