Volunteers Work 1,100 Hours On Silver Cliff Tornado Cleanup

The Town of Silver Cliff was hard hit by a tornado that swept through northern Marinette County on Wednesday, June 15. Winds damaged or destroyed all nine of the town buildings and downed thousands of trees across a wide spread area. A month later, cleanup efforts continue. Town Chair Bruce Weber said damage has been estimated at about $2.5 million. 

Weber advised that David Brooker, a member of 8th District Representative Mike Gallagher’s staff in his Green Bay office, had come to Silver Cliff to tour the damage and destruction that occurred from the tornado. Weber said he asked Brooker to look into the possibility of declaring a state of emergency to help open up FEMA funds. Brooker had said he would speak with FEMA representatives and others to see what help may be available for the town. Weber also asked Brooker to speak to the Governor’s office in hopes of uncovering funding opportunities for the town’s essential Public Safety Building. 

Twisted structural steel can be seen on the downed Public Safety building. The tornado took out a 70x100-foot building and leveled a new building not even a year old, it’s completely destroyed. The salt shed has a rip. Weber advised only two of the town’s buildings currently had a roof. 

Due to the Fire Department’s main building being demolished by the tornado all the trucks are in the Old Town Shop. Two trucks were still out of service due to windshields being out. The windshields had arrived and were to be installed soon. 

It was noted that an astounding 1,100 hours of volunteering had been documented  thus far, and more volunteer work will be done.

Safety of the park building was one of the biggest concerns when setting up planned work dates for volunteers. The whole park is now safe and the first volunteer date was set for 8 a.m. on Saturday, July 23.

In effort to get roads and parking lot safe for the annual town picnic and fireworks on Saturday, Aug. 13, and craft fair on Friday, Aug. 12. The board agreed to hire Decker Services LLC for 50 hours of skid steer work, focusing on the park clean up, at the rate of $100 per hour. Before the vote, Weber advised that Decker had donated hours of service for the town preceding the tornado. 

In other business, the board approved a logging contract for Mitch Piontek, and approved set up of online banking for the Fire Department. Kristen Gagne Town Clerk will have access to online banking. Gagne will be providing a paper copy of reports every month to the Town Board. 

Weber advised that any candidates for elected offices who wish to come before the Town Board to discuss their candidacy will be permitted. Carrie Brazeau, candidate for Marinette County Clerk of Courts, addressed the town, as did Randy Miller, who is running for Marinette County Sherriff. Both Miller and Brazeau have competition on the ballot for the primary election on Tuesday Aug. 9.

Because of the Primary Election on Aug. 9 the next town board meeting will be held  on  7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10. at the Town Hall.