Welcome to Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin
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TOWN HISTORY
The Town of Lac du Flambeau is in the southwest corner of Vilas County. The name means Lake of the Torches, which came from the French who ventured here and saw the Ojibwe Indians spearing fish by torchlight at night.
Before January 1, 1875, Vilas County was part of Marathon County; from 1875 to 1885 part of Lincoln County; from 1885 to 1893 part of Oneida County. The area was set off as Vilas County on April 12, 1893. Vilas County was named after William F. Vilas of Madison, who had attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel during the Civil War. Other accomplishments include being Postmaster General of the United States from 1885-1888, Secretary of the Interior from 1888-1891 and a US Senator from 1891 to 1897.
The Town was established on June 5, 1900 and at that time was a busy logging area, with logging coming to the area in 1885. During the next 20 years, three sawmills were in operation seven days a week and eight to ten railroad cars carried timber out each day. When the logging businesses left the area, Lac du Flambeau residents turned to resorts and tourism for economic gain. With more than 100 lakes within the township boundaries, lakeside resorts become very popular with visitors from Chicago and Milwaukee as well as other Midwest cities.
Notable visitors include the Mars Candy Company and the Hershey Chocolate Company families with Marlands Lane and Hershey Lane built to provide access to their properties.
Lac du Flambeau has two forms of local government. The Town is organized under the provision of the Wisconsin State Statutes, with an elected Town Board consisting of a Town Chairman and two Town Supervisors, an appointed Town Clerk, and elected Town Treasurer. The Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians operates under Federal recognition as a sovereign Indian nation. Tribal government oversees issues related to Tribal members and Tribal land.
The Town and Tribal governments work together on issues affecting the entire community.
Before January 1, 1875, Vilas County was part of Marathon County; from 1875 to 1885 part of Lincoln County; from 1885 to 1893 part of Oneida County. The area was set off as Vilas County on April 12, 1893. Vilas County was named after William F. Vilas of Madison, who had attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel during the Civil War. Other accomplishments include being Postmaster General of the United States from 1885-1888, Secretary of the Interior from 1888-1891 and a US Senator from 1891 to 1897.
The Town was established on June 5, 1900 and at that time was a busy logging area, with logging coming to the area in 1885. During the next 20 years, three sawmills were in operation seven days a week and eight to ten railroad cars carried timber out each day. When the logging businesses left the area, Lac du Flambeau residents turned to resorts and tourism for economic gain. With more than 100 lakes within the township boundaries, lakeside resorts become very popular with visitors from Chicago and Milwaukee as well as other Midwest cities.
Notable visitors include the Mars Candy Company and the Hershey Chocolate Company families with Marlands Lane and Hershey Lane built to provide access to their properties.
Lac du Flambeau has two forms of local government. The Town is organized under the provision of the Wisconsin State Statutes, with an elected Town Board consisting of a Town Chairman and two Town Supervisors, an appointed Town Clerk, and elected Town Treasurer. The Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians operates under Federal recognition as a sovereign Indian nation. Tribal government oversees issues related to Tribal members and Tribal land.
The Town and Tribal governments work together on issues affecting the entire community.
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IMPORTANT UPDATES
The Special Town Meeting on 05/10/23, which was cancelled originally sought to accomplishg, within of the powers of a Special Town Meeting, the action of the electors to/not to direct the Town Board to dispose of real property and to exceed the allowable levy limit. Wis Stats 66.0602(5).
However, this process is not allowable as the population of Lac du Flambeau exceeds 3,000.
The other allowable procedure for a Town to take this type of action, requires a referendum vote by the Town's people.
Per 121.91(3), the referendum would be held on the same election dates that a school board may call for a referendum. It must be held in accordance with Wis Stats 66.0602(4); which requires the Town Board to first adopt the exact wording of the referendum question as stated in Wis Stats 66.0602(4)(c).
At this time, the only situation that allows a referendum to be held at a time different than a school board referendum election, would be in a situation where a "natural disaster" has been experienced. Wis Stats 121.91(3)(a)2.
However, this process is not allowable as the population of Lac du Flambeau exceeds 3,000.
The other allowable procedure for a Town to take this type of action, requires a referendum vote by the Town's people.
Per 121.91(3), the referendum would be held on the same election dates that a school board may call for a referendum. It must be held in accordance with Wis Stats 66.0602(4); which requires the Town Board to first adopt the exact wording of the referendum question as stated in Wis Stats 66.0602(4)(c).
At this time, the only situation that allows a referendum to be held at a time different than a school board referendum election, would be in a situation where a "natural disaster" has been experienced. Wis Stats 121.91(3)(a)2.