Mayors of area towns are carefully optimistic to different degrees about the new year, with problems such as elevator closures, water quality and rural 911 reorganization causing concern.

In a year-end interview with the mayors of Fillmore, Radville, Stoughton, and Lang, reaction was mixed about the overall progress of 2000, with some expressing enthusiasm and others difficulty from the year.

Ken Urban, mayor of Fillmore, said the lack of government grants held his community back in 2000. Fillmore paved its main street this year, and the lack of grant money forced the community had to shoulder the entire considerable bill, he said. Also, funding was unlikely for any upcoming water and sewer projects needed in the community.

Urban said the new year would see several big headaches, including the purchase of a new fire truck and the loss of revenues from the closure of its elevator. "Probably the biggest concern we have is the revenue we'll lose," he said.

However, the restructuring of the 911 system will hopefully create Fillmore as one of the stations for an ambulance. Urban said ambulance and fire protection are important aspects of rural life, and the stationing of professionals in Fillmore will increase safety and inject some new life into the community.

"But I'm not overly optimistic about growth. It's tough in rural areas," he said.

Urban said town council will be drawing up a wish list for next year, and will discuss the viability of the actions suggested.

Mayor Darald Marin of Radville was enthusiastic about growth, citing several construction projects as signs of economic health, including a new office for the Radville Star.

"We have some new, energetic young people who have taken over some of the businesses," he said, adding Radville seems to be the type of community where people like to invest. "It speaks really well of the attitude of the people here."

Also, calf prices were good for the year, which seemed to shore up the farming economy in Radville and escape the worst effects of the farming crisis.

Marin said water treatment plant was a high priority for the new year, with plans to retrofit any decaying equipment and get one of the operators accredited. Waste management was also a concern, and Marin said planning a recycling and composting program was important in order to avoid difficulties down the line.

"Landfills for small towns are becoming more of a problem, and Radville is no exception," he said.

Lang's elevator closure would be a major factor going into 2001, said Mayor Al Broderick, but also called ballooning gas costs as a detriment to Lang's growth, resulting in tighter budgets for farmers and residents and creating less business.

Broderick was also wary of the restructured rural 911 system, saying it would cost the town to make necessary changes to the fire alarm system.

"We've already budgeted for it, but it's going to be a pain," he said.

Broderick said a few minor projects are on the go for 2001, including a new booster pump in the water project and working on the front of the rink. However, he said the big accomplishment for his community was paying off the debt accumulated by a repaving project three years ago. "We've just about got it all paid off."

The newly-elected mayor of Stoughton, Jerry Mamer, said he was brought into office at the end of October and was not as concerned with 2000 as with 2001. "I'm looking more to the future than to the past," he said.

However, he added Stoughton did have a good year, with the oil economy currently strong and the demand for housing going slightly up.

Mamer said Stoughton's location at the intersection of three major highways allows for trade and commerce within Stoughton and to weather the worst of the farm crisis, despite the closure of its Pool elevator.

Mamer said several projects would be looked at in the new year, including improving the infrastructure and developing a definitive plan for waste management. Also, Mamer said the 911 restructuring would affect Stoughton differently, due to the community only having a one-man police department.

He also said the council would look into developing a plan with other RMs to reduce overall costs and improve economic activity.