Minutes

8-13-2025

Regular Town Board Meeting

 

Jon Tanis called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM

In attendance: Jon Tanis, Bob Strand, Jake Hintz Jorja Boiley

Jon amended the agenda to table the discussion amending the road current ordinances until the September meeting. Bob made a motion to accept the agenda as amended, seconded by Jake and the motion carried.

Bob made a motion to approve the Minutes for the July 16, 2025 Board meeting, seconded by Jake and the motion carried.

Michael Genovese, on behalf of the Sheriff’s Department, reported there were a total of 128 calls during the month of July.

Treasurer read the fund and cash account balances:

• Office Equipment: 11,172.48
• Truck/equipment: 50,177.58
• New building/maintenance: 50,091.87
• Tax receipts: 595,793.98
• Cash account: 76,057.50

Clerk report:

Short Term Rental program. County is formalizing this program. In the past they provided the names of registered participants when a town asked for that information. Now they will be notifying Town Clerks on a regular basis who is currently registered in the STR program. The Town will now be tracking from the County list as well as gathering information from various rental service companies. The potential plan is to establish regulations at the Township level for those residents who participate in offering short term rentals to the public. The details will be forthcoming over the next few months.

• Other Towns in the county charge for annual permit to participate ($450.00-500.00) and then do not charge room tax.

Fire/EMS contract:

Track number of fire calls; tracking rolling 5-year average; 75% of contract is based on call volume and 25% an even split.  TOW had 78 calls for service for the first two quarters in 2025. This is trending higher.

Liquor licenses separate from “Class B” and Class “B”

Class A liquor licenses – only available for off-site consumption (liquor stores/grocery stores/gas stations).  Class C – only for wine which is sold by the glass or one open container in premises where sold. Meant for restaurants where only wine is sold in the barroom.

WTA Workshop: The Wisconsin Town’s Association holds fall meetings for Clerks and Road Maintenance The cost is $75.00. This is not a mandatory meeting. Jorja will attend the meeting on September 11, 2025 in Green Bay.

Supervisor reports

Bob – no report

Jake – his concern is later on the agenda

Jon – is monitoring the water level at the dam since there have been heavy rains and a restriction on wakes/no-wakes depends on the measured level.

Public Works: Mowing still in progress. 9 trees were down since Sunday due to the storms. He is installing the new portable speed sign.

 

Public comments:

• Dan Dern expressed concern that the opportunity for public comments is before the agenda items are discussed. It is difficult to offer opinions without know the details.
• Keith Hochhalter: presented information from the Saint Anthony Falls study as it pertains to enhanced wave boats. He encouraged that everyone read the study in its entirety.
• Dan Dern – problem with wake boats is they never plane.
• Russ Kilpin – if the Town decides about ATV/UTV usage
• Rich Battistoni – concerned about increase in noise, traffic in the area if a restaurant is built.
• Amy Kaszuba – suggests that the Town waits for the State to set guidelines for wake boats since that would override any Town-level decision
• Bernie Labovitch wants clarification regarding ownership of the property to be discussed for a liquor license
• Carol Ducommun – concerned about the burden placed on the surrounding neighborhood if there is a restaurant/bar built near the lake. There would be an increase in noise and traffic. She does not want Whitewater Lake to become like Lauderdale.
• Bob Strand read a long letter from Charles Shifley explaining why he feels that a restaurant/bar would be a negative addition to Whitewater Lake.
• Robert Sivek – says he is in favor of a restaurant on the lake however, wants several issues addressed: noise levels, drinking on the lake, many boaters will access the restaurant during no-wake and no patrol times. He feels there will be an increase in EMS and or Sheriff’s calls
• Kelly – concerned about monitoring of traffic not adhering to set speed limits. He referenced a study done by Lake Management that the Town roads are not being monitored for speeding or reckless driving.

 

Kristin Belongia presented the conditional use request from Samuel Miller, owner of the property at the corner of County Hwy P and Willis Ray Road.  Mr. Miller wants to build a self-storage facility that would include 5 buildings for residential use (not commercial storage) and the project would take 18 months from start to completion.  The request is to rezone the property from A-3 to C-4, the County is suggesting that it be zoned as C-4.  Access to the site would be from Willis Ray Road. There will not be any businesses occupying units as office space. There would be inside storage for boats and trailers. Mr. Miller builds his own buildings. Bob asked if there are any other properties that Mr. Miller has built in the area to view. Jon indicates that the owner is already in non-compliance with County ordinances concerning the condition of other properties he owns in the Township.

Jon made a motion to approve the conditional use request with the following parameters: only one building can be constructed at the same time. Once one building is completed, construction can begin on the second building. The property must be fenced, no construction material can be kept outside for longer than 3 months, no outside storage for any items. Jake seconded the motion. The motion carried by 2/3 majority. Bob voted no.

An application for a new liquor license was received from Tim Camodeca, President of The Whitewater Wharf, for a restaurant/bar he plans to build at N7660 State Park Drive, Whitewater, WI. Me. Camodeca indicated that their plan is to build a restaurant/bar in the existing building on the property which will include a kitchen, bathrooms, outdoor seating (picnic tables) and approximately 20 boat slips. They will have a limited menu. Fuel will still be provided for boats. They want to have occasional live music outside and acoustic inside the restaurant. Winter hours of operation would be Thursday – Sunday; Summertime every day 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM.

Public input centered on the hours of operation, seating capacity and parking, noise and lighting.

After a lengthy discussion between Mr. Camodeca and the Board, along with questions and public comments from those in attendance, the Board, with a 2/3 majority voted to approve the Reserve “Class B” license. Bob Strand voted no on the motion.

The motion, as stated by Jake and seconded by Jon includes the following stipulations:

• The County approves the building plans and parking availability.
• Outside lighting will be placed in such manner as to shine towards the facility and not the lake. The lighting will not be directed upwards and will not project higher than State Park Road
• Hours of operation: Monday – Thursday 11:00 AM to a hard stop at 10:00 PM; Friday, Saturday, Sunday 11:00 AM until 10:00 PM. Food service ends one hour prior to closing.
• Memorial Day through Labor Day: Live music allowed twice per month, otherwise acoustic; all outdoor music will end at sunset.
• Speakers to face the restaurant, decibel levels TBD
• Security system installed with 24/7 access to law enforcement.
• Restaurant will be built on current footprint
• Docks will be arranged per DNR regulations
• Parking will not extend onto road
• Outdoor seating limited to 30 people
• File for Seller’s Permit and business tax information through State of Wisconsin

There were 3 quotes submitted for potential auditors beginning with YE 2025. Two of the quotes included a cost for performing one audit. After reviewing the quotes, Jon made a motion to contract with Baker Tilly for three years with the intent to have the Clerk-Treasurer position separated as two separate job functions. Bob seconded the motion and the motion carried.

The Town Board passed a motion in March 2025 to establish a policy regarding nominal overpayments made to the Town. The motion was to not pay refunds under $10.00, unless there is a demand for payment. Additionally, for any refund paid whether a nominal overpayment or an amount owed over $10.00, there is a $5.00 admin fee deducted from the payment. The previous motion is codified under Ordinance # 81325-1.

Discussion on amending Town Code/ordinance regarding roads is tabled to September, per the amended agenda.

Invoices were reviewed and checks signed.

Jon made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Jake, the motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM.

 

Respectively submitted by Jorja Boiley, Clerk-Treasurer