Minutes Public Hearing

Thursday May 22, 2025

Jon called the meeting to order at 6:02PM

Roll Call in attendance: Jon Tanis, Bob Stand, Jake Hintz and Donna Sherman

Town attorney Noah Wishau was present.

Jon thanked everyone for coming, he asked everyone to sign in whether you’re speaking or not.

Jon said that he has been the lake supervisor for the past two years now and he stated the lake property owners were surveyed for which he was told the highest response rate 37% -40% was returned and the results showed 75%-80% respondents that something needs to be done thus the meeting tonight. The township has sent an enhanced wave restriction ordinance to the DNR to hear their feedback.  He invited everyone to share their perspectives.

PUBLIC INPUT:

Name/Address-noted only if clearly stated for or against.

1. Mark Rodgers – W7684 Shereda Road
2. Don Meyers N7594 W Lake Shore Drive – he read a statement from a neighbor who could not be present (for).
3. Ed Gignac – WI Water Sports Collation – He mentioned there will be a meeting next Wednesday in Madison being held Mary Felzkowski – as they are looking to get something decided at the state level.
4. Randy Cruse – N7907 County Road P –in favor of protecting the Lake.
5. Patrick Braun -N7336 Krahn- for
6. Pat & George Liska – N7582 W Lakeshore Dr.-for
7. Mike Lindenmuth- N7816 Kettle Moraine Dr. – He is a board member of WW/RL Management District – For
8. Jack Manier – N7505 Ridge Rd – lake resident since 1981 – suggested a compromise.
9. Bryce Benjamin -N7531 E Lakeshore Dr. – has been on the lake since 1956 – for -safety and shoreline concerns
10. Sullivan Swartwood – N7326 Krahn Dr. –family resident for 30yrs- it is about the size of the ballast-to broad would need a compromise.
11. Daniel Dern N7536 W Lakeshore Dr – for – concerned about enhanced wakes and safety.
12. Tim Wolfe – N7708 Kettle Moraine Dr on Rice Lake – against – also stated buoy placement concerns
13. Colleen Roy – N7350 Chappel Dr- Parents Ernie and Lillian Roy – against
14. Carol Marvin – N7645 Pine Knoll -she has lived on the lake for 44 years – but now lives on Pine Knoll – she read an article from her daughter who is a water skier.
15. Claudia Bellinger – N7568 Ridge Road – against – she presented the board with 2 binders of research done on wake boats.
16. Sally Kester – N7097 Chapel Dr. – spoke against
17. Rich Gunter – N7640 Ridge Road – resident since 1996- spoke to water quality – bog committee.
18. Rick Battistoni – N7488 Ridge Road –27 yr resident-member of the wake shoreline committee in 2021 – he spoke to several studies that he was involved in – stated the committee was disbanded once this meeting was scheduled.
19. Amy Kasuba – N7415 Ridge Road – spoke against
20. Dave Waldher –N7477 E Lakeshore Dr.- he spoke to an incident he was involved in caused by and enhanced wake- his primary concern is safety.
21. Brian Kozak – he lives on Silver Lake – and he grew up in Eagle River – against
22. Glenn Litchford- W7912 R & W Townline Rd.– purchased home in 2016 permanent resident since 2024- ski boat owner- spoke to aquatic evasive species – and boat types
23. Brandon Schleicher -W7980 R & W Townline Rd. – Grand Parents house – spoke to shoreline and safety -against further restrictions
24. Steve Ducummon – N7622 State Park Dr. –homeowner for 30 yrs- supports the ordinance – top priority is safety.
25. Don McComb –N7441 Kettle Moraine Drive – he was part of the own your wake committee – spoke to safety and erosion-for
26. Howard Rothstein – N7796 Kettle Moraine Dr – He lives on Rice Lake since 2000 – for a responsible wake ordinance regulation.
27. Jacob Schmidt –Williams Bay WI Address – Walworth county Lake Enhancement Association – in support of the ordinance submitted to the DNR by the town of whitewater – 19 towns in 2024 18 different towns in 2025.
28. Dan Berg – N7826 Kettle Moraine Dr. – his concern is the lake bottom and what these boats can do – for.
29. Carl Olenski – N6883 Hunters Ridge Dr. (Richmond Township)- he is on the Richmond side of Rice Lake. – did a wave presentation prepared by the wake sports coalition – against
30. Nicole Tomomitsu – N7583 Ridge Rd. -parent house on Ridge Road -on Minneiska Ski Team since 2008- against.
31. Larry Jacobs -N7405 Ridge Road – for the ban – and spoke about protecting the lake
32. Carol Ducummon – N7622 State Park Rd.– spoke as a homeowner – not as a Lake District member- for.
33. Tammy Tomomitsu N7583 Ridge Rd.– against
34. Keith Hochhalter – N7351 Chapel Dr. – against– he surveyed residents, and majority would still surf with the ban.
35. Kevin Kehoe – N7595 Ridge Rd. – against
36. Jeff Bellinger – N7568 Ridge Rd.- against – he mentioned the state is going to have a meeting.
37. Jane Wiemerslage- W7980 R&W Townline Rd. – against
38. Andrew Dennis – N7574 Ridge Road – against
39. Cal Tomomitsu – N7583 Ridge Road – past Ski Team president – against
40. Joe Ferguson – N7960 Oak Ridge Rd – against – but all about compromise – property value
41. Art Schmitz – N7649 E Lake Shore Drive – his concern is the added traffic that will be pushed to our lake based on other lake bans.
42. John Stoss-N8831 Sterner Ridge Rd – not a whitewater Lake Resident (7:57PM) he has a lot of you tube channel – which has other town meetings and discussion about this topic-
43. Chuck Chamberlain – N7268 Krahn Dr (Richmond) – Resident for 53 years – member of Whitewater/Rice Lakes Management District – board member since 2011-for
44. Janet Hersch – N7621 E Lakeshore Dr. – for
45. Fred Silloway – N2413 Whispering Pines Road – Waupaca WI– for
46. Jack Bellinger-N7568 Ridge Road- against

 

Jon then took the time to thank everyone to come out to speak – he will keep everyone updated as to next steps.

Jon then made a motion to adjourn – Jake second at 8:09 PM All in favor motion carried.

Respectfully submitted by Donna Sherman, Deputy Clerk