The ordinance that regulates West Salem’s liquor sales could be up for some changes, making it more difficult to establish new taverns or liquor stores.

At its Aug. 19 meeting, the West Salem Village Board approved a public hearing on the proposed changes set for Sept. 16.

Changes to the ordinance would cap beer and liquor licenses at the current numbers.

Class A and Class B intoxicating liquor licenses will be capped at four each. Class B and Class A fermented malt beverage licenses will be capped at two each. Only one Class C wine license would be allowed under the ordinance changes.

As stated, the ordinance changes are to prevent the proliferation of taverns and liquor stores that could be a detriment to neighborhoods and cause property values to fall.

Village Administrator Teresa Schnitzler said another goal of the changes was to prevent instances similar to what occurred recently in Sparta, where a bar-owner fought to tie up a liquor license even though her bar had closed.

Provisions in the ordinance allow the village to rescind licenses that go unused for more than 60 days.

Applicants would have to prove that their business would offer a significant economic benefit to the village by expanding the tax base, improving blighted areas or filling vacant properties.

New police officer

Kou Vue, 30, of Onalaska, was recently sworn in as a new part-time police officer for West Salem.

A full-time employee at Gundersen Lutheran, he has prior law enforcement experience with the Trempealeau Police Department and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. He is fluent in English and Hmong, an asset West Salem Police Chief Charles Ashbeck said will benefit the entire community. Vue will be in training over the next several weeks.

Headcount

The Wisconsin Department of Administration released its population estimate for the village for 2008.

The preliminary estimate received last month indicated that the village has grown by 114 persons or 2.4 percent to 4,852 since the 2000 census. According to the report Wisconsin’s total population has increased by 311,285 or 5.8 percent to 5,675,000 over the past eight years.

The report also estimated the number of West Salem resident of voting age at 3,481.

Other business

The board approved school bus stops for the upcoming year and granted operators licenses to Anthony J. DuCharme (Breakers) and Curtis G. Baltz II.