Town of Oak Grove
Pierce County, Wisconsin

Town Polling Location: 
N5495 County Rd QQ,
Prescott
Telephone: 715- 262-4005

(The Town Hall is not staffed on a regular basis)

Town meeting: 
3rd Monday at 7:30 p.m.

Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Mailing Address
Town of Oak Grove
P.O. Box 434, Prescott, WI 54021

Telephone: 715-262-4005
E-mail:  townofoakgrovewi@centurytel.net

Comprehensive Plan

Click on Plan to view

Calendar

Monthly Board Meetings
3rd Monday of
each month at 7:30 p.m.

Annual Town Meeting:
Saturday, April 14, 2012 in the Town Hall, at 10:00 a.m.


 

Dog License Application form

 

About the Town of Oak Grove    

Population (2010 Census Count) = 2,150
Equalization Values 2009 = 271,784,200
School Districts:  Prescott (715-262-5782) and Ellsworth (715-273-3900)

Pierce Co map

The Town of Oak Grove is located on the western edge of Pierce County, Wisconsin.   The Town is bordered on the north by the Towns of Clifton and River Falls, on the east by Trimbelle, on the south by the Town of Diamond Bluff, and on the west by the Mississippi River. The City of Prescott lies within the town boundary.   The Town of Oak Grove is a rural township with a mix of farmland, woodland, and creeks.  Its primary industry is agriculture, which includes dairy, beef, and crop farms and also includes a winery.  The Town of Oak Grove is gradually becoming more of a residential community as more small tracts are created for housing.

The Town of Oak Grove has two school districts – Prescott and Ellsworth Community Schools.  

History of Town of Oak Grove

OAK GROVE

This township was originally part of Clifton and was set off in 1856. At the same time Clifton, Oak Grove, along with the newly created cityof Prescott were to divide the debts of the previous Prescott Township in thirds, each assuming their share.

Early settlers included: Aaron Cornelisonand family, the Thing brothers, Harnsberger brothers, Miner brothers, John M Rice and others who arrived around 1848. Also settling in the area were John Murphy, Michael Rock and Red Endorf.

OAK GROVE

     Oak Grove includes township 26, range 19 (with the exception of section 31 and parts of 30 and 32), and six sections of range 20, in all about forty sections.  It is drained by Big river.  It was set off from Clifton in 1856.  Hart Broughton was the first chairman of supervisors.  It contains a flouring mill on Big river; Catholic, Lutheran, and Methodist church buildings; that of the Catholic cost $4,000, and has a school attached.  There are seven school houses.  Big River is the postal village.  John Berry was the first postmaster.  The first settlers were (1848) the Thing brothers, the Harnsberger brothers, the Cornelius brothers, Rice, Schaser, McMurphy, Rissue, and the Miner brothers.

                                        History from http://www.rootsweb.com/~wipierce/cities.htm
                  http://www.rootsweb.com/~wipierce/northernwis.htm

Town Officials

  • Chair:  Jerry Kosin  715-262-5677
  • Supervisor:  Jeff Benson  715-262-3396
  • Supervisor:  Gene Schommer  715-273-4217
  • Clerk:  Jim Allen   715-262-4005
  • Treasurer:  Jeremy Boles  715-262- 4510 (Fax 715-262-4510)

Town Meetings

Residents are encouraged to attend The Town of Oak Grove meetings.  Regular monthly meetings of the Town Board are normally held at the Town Hall on the 3rd Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. If there’s something you wish to discuss at the meeting, please contact Clerk Jim Allen at 715-262-4005 at least 12 days prior to the meeting so it can be properly placed on the agenda.

The 2012 annual meeting is scheduled for Saturday, April 14, 2012, at 10 AM, in the Town Hall. At this meeting the residents of the town:

  • Review the prior year financial report
  • Hear the prior year and current year road work report
  • Set the date for the next annual meeting
  • Express concerns within the township
  • May set the town board members salary for the next term

The annual budget hearing/special town meeting is held in November. This meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 21, 2011. At this meeting, the residents of the town:

  • Approve the proposed budget for the next year
  • Adopt the town tax levy
  • Authorize highway expenditures

Meeting Notices

Detailed notices of meetings held in the Town of Oak Grove are published in the Prescott Journal.  Agendas are posted at the town hall and the county web site.

The Planning Commission meets the 2nd Thursday of each month at the Town Hall beginning at 7:30 p.m.  Planning Commission (May 1, 2014 - April 30, 2011) members are: Town Chair, Jerry Kosin, Town Supervisor, Gene Schommer, Rudy Jungwirth, Ralph Chase, James Boles, Wally Betzel and Andrew Verga. If there is anything you wish to discuss at the meeting, please contact Clerk Jim Allen at 715-252-4005 at least 15 days prior to the meeting so it can be properly placed on the agenda.

Meeting Minutes & Agendas Click on this link for a list of agenda's and minutes.

  Town Ordinances

    2007 Complete Impact Fees Needs Assessment

Elections/Voting    

Voter registration is required.  You may register at the polls with a valid Wisconsin Drivers License.  However, to save time, contact Clerk Jim Allen at 715-262-4005 to register to vote.

Polling hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.  The Town Hall is handicap accessible.  Absentee voting is available by contacting Clerk Jim Allen.  Please allow enough time (minimum of a month) for absentee ballot applications and ballots to be sent and returned by mail.

Town of Oak Grove residents may vote for town, county, state and federal elections at the Oak Grove Town Hall.  Effective September, 2009, voting will be done using a combination of touch screen voting machine or paper ballots with an optical scan.

Town Elections:  The Town Chair, Supervisors, Clerk, and Treasurer are elected in April of odd-numbered years and serve a two-year term.  Candidates for these positions are nominated by town residents at the town caucus, which is held in January of odd numbered years.  All town residents are invited to nominate persons for these positions at the caucus.  The date for caucus is set at the December Town Board meeting in even numbered years.

Election Results April 5, 2011

Wards
The Town of Oak Grove has two wards for the purpose of electing county board supervisors.  Ward 1 is represented by County Board Supervisory District 15.  Ward 2 is represented by County Board Supervisor District 13.

Ward 1 boundaries: all that portion of the Town of Oak Grove lying Westerly of a line beginning at the intersection of CTH QQ with the Clifton town line; then Southerly on CTH QQ to the intersection with STH 35; then southeasterly on STH 35 to intersection with 1050th Street; then South on 1050th Street to 430th Avenue; then Westerly on 430th Avenue to 1080th Street; then Southerly on 1080th Street to the Diamond Bluff town line; and also lying East of the East line of the City of Prescott and its extension North to the Clifton town line. The Town Hall in Ward 1. 

Ward 2 boundaries: all the portion of the Town of Oak Grove lying Easterly of a line beginning at the intersectin of CTH QQ with the Clifton town line; then Southerly on CTH QQ to the intersetion with STH 35; then southeasterly on STH 35 to the intersection witn 1050th Street; then South on 1050th Street to 430th Avenue; then Westerly on 430th Avenue to 1080th Street; then Southerly on 1080th Street to the Diamond Bluff town line. 



Board of Review

* Meeting Notice   2011 Open Book and Board of Review

Open Book: Friday, October 21st: 4:00pm – 6:00pm Saturday, October 22nd: 9:00am – 11:00am

Board of Review: Saturday, November 5th: 9:00am – 11am

“The property tax assessment is done by Owen Assessing located in Menomonie WI.. Their telephone number is 715-643-2081 and web site is: www.OwenAssessingLLC.com”

2009 Wisconsin Act 68 – Trespass and Revaluation Notice

The trespass bill, which was signed November 12, 2009, states in part “Before a city, village, or town assessor conducts a revaluation of property under this paragraph [Section 70.05(5)(b) Wis. Stats.], the city, village or town shall publish a notice on its municipal Web site that a revaluation will occur and the approximate dates of the property revaluation. The notice shall also describe the authority of an assessor, under Section 943.13, Wis. Stats. and Section 943.15, Wis. Stats., to enter land. If a municipality does not have a Web site, it shall post the required information in at least 3 public places within the city, village or town.” (Emphasis added.)
The trespass law entitles the assessor to enter a property once during an assessment cycle unless the property owner authorizes additional visits. If the property owner denies the assessor access to the property, the assessor must maintain a list of denied entries. Sections 943.13 and 943.15 pertain to the entry onto the property. Assessors and their staff should understand the conditions included in these statutes. The major conditions for entry are listed below:

  1. The reason for the entry must be to make an assessment on behalf of the state or a political subdivision.
  2. The entry must be on a weekday during daylight hours, or at another time as agreed upon with the property owner.
  3. The assessor’s visit must not be more than one hour.
  4. The assessor must not open doors, enter through open doors, or look into windows of structures.
  5. If the property owner or occupant is not present, the assessor must leave a notice on the principal building providing the owner information on how to contact them.
  6. The assessor may not enter the premises if they have received a notice from the property owner or occupant denying them entry.
  7. The assessor must leave if the property owner or occupant asks them to leave.

2009 Wisconsin Act 68 addresses notification which must be published or posted prior to commencement of a revaluation by an assessor. The trespass bill states in part “Before a city, village, or town assessor conducts a revaluation of property under this paragraph [Section 70.05(5)(b) Wis. Stats.], the city, village or town shall publish a notice on its municipal website that a revaluation will occur and the approximate dates of the property revaluation. The notice shall also describe the authority of an assessor, under Section 943.13, Wis. Stats. and Section 943.15, Wis. Stats., to enter land. If a municipality does not have a website, it shall post the required information in at least 3 public places within the city, village or town.” (Emphasis added)

 

Jim Allen, WCMC
Town Clerk
Posted: June 5, 2011


The open book session with the assessor and the Board of Review is held sometime between the 2nd Monday of May and December.  A notice of any changes in property assessment is mailed to the property owner about 2 weeks prior to the Open Book.  The open book session gives property owners an opportunity to discuss their valuation with the assessor.  If the property owner remains dissatisfied after speaking with the assessor, the property owner may notify the town clerk, complete the proper papers and appear before the Board of Review.  The Open Book Session and Board of Review are the only opportunities a property owner has to dispute the property valuations.  It is too late once the taxes are printed.

** The Town of Oak Grove is going to have the Town Assessor conduct a “Market Value Assessment” in 2011.

Taxes

Tax statements are mailed in mid-December.  Full or first half real estate and personal property payments are due to the municipal treasurer, Jeremy Boles by January 31st.   Any postponed personal property payments are due to Jeremy Boles by July 31st.   These payments cannot be made by credit card – only by check or cashier’s check.  Send tax payments to Treasurer Jeremy Boles, N4929 1168th St., Prescott, WI 54021.

All real estate payments made after January 31st are payable to the Pierce County Treasurer at
PO Box 87, Ellsworth, WI  54011.

To view the 2010 Real Estate Tax List - click on Tax

Dog Licenses

Dog owners are responsible for:

  • Purchasing a dog license for each dog owned
  • Securing the license tags to the dog(s) collar
  • Keep the dog(s) on their property
  • Rabies vaccinations must be current and certified at the time of licensing for each dog

The annual dog license is:

  • $5 for spayed or neutered dog
  • $10 for non-spayed or non-neutered dog

Private dog kennel license is required for premises with 4 or 5 dogs. The annual fee is $100 Commercial dog kennel license is required for premises with 6 or more dogs. The annual fee is $500. 
All dogs are to be licensed by January 31st of each year or when they reach the age of five (5) months.  

To obtain Dog/kennel license(s), contact Town Treasurer, Jeremy Boles at 715-262-4510.

Dog License Application form    

 

Ag Use Conversion Fee (Penalty)

Land that has been assessed as agriculture with use value valuation and is parceled or converted for residential use is subject to a conversion fee.  WI Statutes 74.485 states “Any parcel benefiting from use value assessment may be subject to a penalty if the use of the parcel changes.”  WI Statutes requires that persons owning land assessed as agricultural land must notify the buyer of the potential conversion fee (penalty) if the use of the land changes.

For more information, contact the assessor or the county treasurer.

Permits

Building Permits and Inspections

1 - Land use permits are required for all new structures, any structural changes and additions.  To obtain these land use permits and sanitary permits contact the Pierce County Zoning Department at 715-273-3531.

2 - Building permits required from the Town of Oak Grove. No building of any kind shall be moved within or into the town or no new building or exisitng structure, including electrical, plumbing or HVAC or any part thereof as defined in section 14.03 shall hereafter be erected, ground broken, enlarged, altered, moved, demolished or used within the town except as herein provided, until a permit therefor shall first have been obtained by the owner or his authorized agent from the Building Inspector.

Building Inspector and Building Permits are obtained by contacting:
      Todd Dolan
      All-Croix Inspections, LLC
     Office: 715-377-2152
     Cell:   612-819-9707

To see a list of licensed contrators - click on Professional List

Driveway Permits

Driveway permits must be obtained prior to land use and building permits.  Private access road and driveway applications are available from the Building Inspector, Todd Dolan at 715-377-2152.  All new roads and driveways must meet the codes set by the Town Board.  All private roads must be built according to town standards. 

The Pierce County Zoning office is responsible for assigning addresses and fire numbers. 

Burning Permits

It is illegal to burn garbage and painted or treated lumber in Pierce County.   The town does not issue burning permits, but if you plan to burn, notify the Pierce County Solid Waste Department at 273-3092, the town chair Jerry Kosin at 715-262-5677 or one of the Supervisors Jeff Bensen 715-262-3396 or  Eugene Schommer  715-273-4217 AND the Prescott Fire Department (262-5733) AND call the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department (715-273-5051) to let them know when and what you are burning. If you do not notify the Sheriff’s Department and someone calls in your fire, you will be charged for the fire call.

The burning of grass and trash is restricted. All fires are regulated.

Recreational bonfires are regulated. No person shall kindle or cause to be kindled any fire in or upon any street, alley, public way, park or public or private grounds within the town within 25 feet of any building or within any fire lane unless the same is confined within a wire refuse burner or basket or metal enclosure attached to prevent the escape of sparks and burning material.

Fireworks Permits

The Town of Oak Grove DOES NOT ISSUE permits for fireworks.

Waste:  Recycling and Trash

It is illegal to burn garbage in Pierce County.  If you have questions about waste disposal or recycling in Pierce County, contact or the Pierce County Solid Waste Recycling Department at 715-273-6743 or email: recycle@co.pierce.wi.us  Detailed recycling information is found in the Pierce County Recycling Guide.

Garbage/Waste:

To see a list of licensed waste haulers, click on Hauler-Recyclers

Note:  The $25 County Solid Waste fee on your tax statement goes directly to Pierce County.

Services and Fees

Ambulance/Fire Service

 The Prescott Area Ambulance and the Prescott Area Fire Department serve the Town of Osk Grove.  Both services are owned jointly by several municipalities and each year the Town is assessed  operating fees for both services.  The Prescott Area Fire Department bills the property owner. The Ellsworth Area Ambulance Service does its own billing and collection. If the property owner does not pay the fire call, it will be added as a special charge to the proprty tax statement.

The ambulance and fire department services are primarily composed of VOLUNTEERS.

Public Safety Serving Oak Grove:  Emergency Dial 911

Pierce County Sheriff Dispatch 715-273-3531
Prescott Fire Department 715-262-5733
Prescott Ambulance 715-262-3775
Wisconsin State Patrol 715-839-3800
Wisconsin Arson Hot-line 800-362-3005
Poison Control Center 800-222-1222

To report an electrical outage in Oak Grove: Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services 800-927-5705

Zoning

Current zoning for the Town of Oak Grove includes:  General Rural Flexible 8, Rural Residential 12, PRD (Planned Residential Development), Light Industrial, and Commercial.  General Rural Flexible 8 allows 8 houses per 40 acres.

The minimum lot size in the Town of Oak Grove is 3 acres.

Links

 This page was last updated on February 7, 2011