Village of Theresa Committee and Board Considers Crosswalks

The Village of Theresa Public Safety Committee and Village Board discussed pedestrian safety on sidewalks and streets during their respective meetings on Monday, April 20.

The Public Safety Committee contemplated creating crosswalks at the corner of Highway 175 and Depot Road at its meeting, which preceded the board meeting. Since the opening of the Dollar General, foot traffic in that area has increased. The crosswalks would provide pedestrians with easier access to the business and would offer greater safety to the children whose bus stop is also located there. To increase visibility on the highway, the committee discussed installing crossing signs with lights after the upcoming Highway 175 project in 2027.

“I think it needs to be marked. It needs to have flashing yellow lights,” stated Police Chief Dan Markus, who suggested applying for a traffic safety grant to cover the cost of the lights.

In the meantime, the committee considered painting a crosswalk across the roadways with state approval.

At the committee level, a motion to paint crosswalks at the corner of Highway 175 and Depot Road, pending state approval, was made by Committee Chair Joe Haak and passed unanimously.

During the regular board meeting, President Jody Steger shared with the board that Department of Transportation (DOT) Engineer Craig Hardy informed him that the DOT plans to put a crosswalk across the highway at that location as part of its portion of the Highway 175 project.

“They are putting a crosswalk in there,” said President Steger. “After talking with [Director of Public Works] Jason [Jacobitz], we decided we should maybe apply for three [crosswalks]: one for up there, one for down by Confections, and one down by the public school. I brought that up to Craig Hardy today. He put in for one already up on the north end, so he’s going to put in for two more.”

President Steger also added that the village is having its line painting completed this year and could request that the crosswalks be painted at that time if given state approval.

Board Matters:
• The board discussed approving four resolutions and a Residential Anti-Displacement and Relocation Assistance Plan (RADRAP) that are required to apply for the Community Development Block Grant. The resolutions included Resolution 2026-05 to Submit a CDBG Application, Resolution 2026-06 to Commit Match Funds and Certification of Match Funds Secured, Resolution 2026-07 to Repeal and Recreate Chapter 162 - Fair Housing Ordinance, and Resolution 2026-04 to Adopt a Policy on Non-Violent Civil Rights Demonstrations to Prohibit the Use of Excessive Force and to Enforce Applicable State and Local Laws Prohibiting Physically Barring Entrances & Exits. All of the resolutions and the RADRAP were passed unanimously.
• The board also considered approving a certified survey map to join lots 106 and 108 Tower Lane. The intention behind combining the lots is to allow for a duplex to be built on the property. The motion to approve the certified survey map and join the lots was made by Trustee Dave Brandenburg and passed unanimously.
• Additionally, the board unanimously approved the appointment of committee assignments for the 2026-2027 term with a motion made by Trustee Haak.

• The board discussed approving its annual reorganization information. This included designating Empeople Credit Union as the village’s official depository; designating the Village Hall and website as its official posting locations, designating Dempsey Law Firm and QBS Law Firm as the village’s legal counsel, and designating the Dodge County Pionier as the village’s official newspaper. Trustee Brandenburg made the motion to approve the village’s annual reorganization, which passed unanimously.
• The board also considered granting operators’ licenses to Jedda Keller, Katie Krueger, Robin Qualmann, Kailey Gavin, and Julie Gorham. The motion to grant the licenses was made by President Steger and passed unanimously.
• The Public Works Committee recommended the board award a bid for a new valve and hydrant for Highland Avenue and Forest Street to Town & Country Underground Utility Construction, Inc. A motion to award the valve and hydrant project to Town & Country was made by Trustee Brandenburg and passed unanimously.