New Signs Placed on Exeter-Milligan Addition

Exeter-Milligan got some new signage recently.  The new south gym entrance is labeled the activities entrance.  Just in time for basketball season!

Village Discusses Paving and New Office Building

By Leesa K. Bartu

The Exeter Village Board met on Tuesday, November 8 at the new community classroom at Exeter-Milligan school.

The board first addressed a request from Paul Jensen for a zoning change.  The county zoning board recommended the change from industrial to commercial for the property Jensen recently purchased on East Boundary. The board approved the zoning change.

Steve Parr from JEO reviewed a packet of possible road and infrastructure projects with the board including paving several blocks, redoing the paving on several blocks and new light fixtures downtown.  The board also looked at a project to replace the aging water main lines downtown.

In discussing the downtown area, Parr noted that, “Usually when we tear everything out we replace the service lines to the businesses in the area.”

When discussing the street paving projects, the board noted several options for continuing a street project.  If 60 percent of the adjacent property owners are for the project then a street improvement district can be formed and the paving can be done. Also, the village has the option to pave any unpaved street off of a paved intersection.

In looking at the maps Village Board Chairman Alan Michl said, “I hate to say it but those streets have to be done but we need to keep improvements going.”

He added, “We definitely need to do main street and the street repairs. We can make plans to do the street paving after we talk to JEO and Ameritas about finances.”

Board Vice Chairman Tim Wilbeck agreed, “I think we need to pursue this. Let’s start doing it.”

The estimated cost for the sidewalk, lighting and water main project downtown are around $650,000. The village would secure bonds to pay for the project and these bonds would replace other street repair bonds that will be paid off in 2019.  There would be no additional cost to taxpayers as the village would just pay the interest on the new bond until 2019 and then begin to pay principal.

The board reviewed the one and six year plan and asked Steve to revise the plan according to the discussion.  The one and six year plans along with the full estimates for the proposed concrete projects are available in the village office.

The board moved on to some maintenance issues including a problem with termites at the Senior Center.  The board noted that the agreement with the senior center includes the village taking care of the upkeep and pest control at the senior center.

Exeter Village Clerk pointed out the most recent fiscal year review and the expense report which shows the village had very less than $600 overage.

Maintenance Supervisor John Mueller started his report with the options for the mold abatement post inspections at the village office. The board opted to pay for all of the air quality tests.

Mueller presented the board with some tractor brochures and the board decided to review them and table a decision until the next meeting.  Mueller also reported that the soft start switches at the lift station were going bad and it will cost $1600 to replace them.

Mueller and Board Member Justin Harre updated the board on the ballfield progress.  The sprinklers were projected to be done at the end of the week.  The new surface was slated for the next week.  Michl and Wilbeck thought it had been more than 30 years since anything had been done to the ballfield.

Michl broached the question of building a new village office, “Should we proceed to see what it would cost to build across the street? I have been approached by several people who are interested in the current offices.”

Michl noted that there are grants available and some would take into account the investment the village made removing the tag factory.

Harre commented, “This is a good time to look into it because of all the problems we are having with the current building.”

Clerk Becky Erdkamp noted that sales tax for August was $10,673.43 and Keno for September was $257.74.  She reminded the board that the audit would be December 7.

The board set the next meeting for December 7 at 7 p.m.

Exeter Community Guide Page 1 and 2

The entire Exeter Community Guide is available to read under the tabs at the top of the website.

Exeter Girl Scouts Honor Veterans

Exeter Girl Scouts learned a little about the history of Veterans Day and what it means to be a veteran.   They then handed out candy to some area Veterans this week, local veterans of each girl's choice. And they also colored pictures to send to the VA hospital in Lincoln. 

Veteran's Day Program at Exeter-Milligan

 Bob Dumpert stands during the Air Force anthem.  Also pictured is veteran Warren Thomsen.

National Honor Society member Ella Wilkins clears away the tables after the veteran's and their spouses enjoyed rolls and coffee at Exeter-Milligan school Wednesday morning.

Exeter Cub Scouts Deacon Erdkamp (left) and Richard Hickman (right) present the colors during the Exeter-Milligan Veterans Day Program.

Exeter-Milligan seniors (r-l) Katherine Skinner, Ashley Benorden and Haylee Sheffield sing “The Star Spangled Banner.”

The Exeter-Milligan Senior High Choir sings “I am a small part of the world.”  From the left pictured are:  Caitlin Murphy, Ashley Benorden, Katherine Skinner, Haylee Sheffield, and Anna Bettu.

Father Steve Thomlison, US Army Chaplain and priest at St. Stephen’s Catholic church in Exeter and St. Wenceslaus Catholic church in Milligan, spoke at the Exeter-Milligan veterans day program.

The Exeter-Milligan Junior High Choir sang "My America," and were joined by the senior high choir to sing "God Bless America."

Exeter-Milligan honored area veterans during a program on Wednesday, November 9^th because there was no school scheduled for Veteran’s Day, November 11th.

Senior Ashley Benorden welcomed guests and opened the program before Ben Bartu, a member of Boy Scout Troop 218 conducted the presentation of the colors carried by members of Cub Scout Pack 218, Deacon Erdkamp and Richard Hickman.

The Star Spangled Banner was sung by Benorden, and seniors Haylee Sheffield and Katherine Skinner before the senior high choir sang, “I am a small part of the world.”

Father Steve Thomlison, US Army Chaplain and priest at St. Stephen’s Catholic church in Exeter and St. Wenceslaus Catholic church in Milligan, spoke on the importance of Veteran’s Day to the country.

“This is a day of unity.  Our country comes together, men and women, rich and poor no matter what our background to thank those who have defended our country.”

He noted that “Unity in our nation is important.  Our nation has been involved in a robust debate during this election season.  Now it is time for us to come together.  Thanks to our military we can change political parties peacefully not like other countries.”

Thomlison shared the history of St. Martin of Tours, a Roman soldier during the fourth century, who cut his cape in half and gave part of it to a beggar he met while riding his horse.  In a dream, Christ came to Martin and explained that it had been him who was the beggar and when Martin awoke, his cape was back in one piece.  

“The cape became famous and was worn by kings or general into battle. . .the carrier of the cape also became famous as the cape signified divine intervention,” explained Thomlison.

The English word for the cape carrier, cappa, was chaplain. Eventually St. Martin was baptized and instead of fighting for the military he volunteered to go unarmed to the front lines as a chaplain. 

Thomlison reminded the crowd that “Let us remember to honor those who have served our country. We must always respect and honor the flag of our country they fought to defend.  The American spirit should not be diminished and the flame of American freedom burn brightly.” 

The band asked the veterans in the audience to stand as the played the anthems of each of the military branches before the program was closed by Samantha Horne.

Sending the Volleyball Team off to the State Tournament

Above - The Exeter-Milligan Volleyball team spelled out their theme Shock N Awe at the pep rally on Thursday afternoon.  Assistant Coach Laura Kroll introduced each letter with an inspirational phrase.

 Above: The elementary students were all about showing t-wolf power.
Below: The elementary students were howling like a Timberwolf during the pep rally.

K K White gives her grandfather, Larry Cudaback a high-five as the girls get on the bus for the State Tournament.  In front of KK is teammate Haylee Sheffield.