MINUTES

Regular Town Board Meeting

Wednesday, 9-10-2025

Jon called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM

In attendance were Jon, Bob, Jake and Jorja

 

Jon made a motion to amend the agenda to include a Memorandum of Usage with the County of Walworth as item 18(B) and move Assistant Chief Ryan Dion and Representative Brown to an agenda item before Public Comment, Bob seconded the motion and the motion carried.

 

Bob made a motion to amend the 8-13-2025 Minutes to include the name of Charles Shifley as the person who contributed a letter that was read at that meeting; Jon seconded the motion and the motion carried.

 

Sheriff’s Department Report:112 Calls for service for August, which was down from July.

 

Treasurer report: The DNR approved the grant for buoy purchase in the amount of $3978.50. A thank you was expressed to those involved in processing the detailed grant application – Jake Hintz, Sean Blatten and Amy Rodgers. The GWLPOA has offered to submit a donation for the buoy purchase.

Fund balances:

Office equipment                     11,211.18

Truck/Equipment                      50,265.39

New building/maintenance     50,265.39

Tax Receipts                           778,937.81

Cash account                           37,114.14

 

Clerk report: Research on Short Term Rentals in the Town is in process. Walworth County is holding a “Clean Sweep” event October 3 and 4 at the County Public Works Department; W4097 County Rd NN; Elkhorn

Bob made a motion to accept the Treasurer-Clerk report, seconded by Jake and the motion carried.

 

 

 

Supervisor Reports:

Jon –  he has been in discussion with several concerned citizens, City of Whitewater staff and attorneys regarding a proposed subdivision in the Breidsan neighborhood.
Bob has no report
Jake has a request for lowering the speed limit on ___________ near the school. It is currently 45 mph and he recommends 35 mph. (will be on agenda in October)

 

Public Works report – mowing is in progress. He presented a new report that was generated by the Town’s new speed counter that was placed on Kettle Moraine Dr. The report includes average speed over and under the posted limit. One car was logged at 79 mph. The DNR is placing no parking signs along State Park Road. They did present a report to the State for funding repairs to State Road Park and were awarded only 30% of what they were seeking. Carl is in touch with Brian Lemcke to determine what that dollar amount is and then determine if there is enough to do some minor repairs to the road.

 

Assistant Chief Ryan Dion presented charts that explain how the City determines the cost to each participant in the combined Fire/EMS program. 25 % of the cost is based on equalized value for the towns involved; 75% is determined by the number of 911 calls for each specific participant. He stressed that anyone is welcome to meet with him if there are additional questions that he may not have addressed. He did indicate that the City is willing to work with different payment plans that allow the cost of the program to be monthly or quarterly to assist in the Town’s cash flow.

 

Brienne Brown presented portions of the newly enacted State budget, offering her viewpoint on the pros and cons of the legislation.

 

Jake read the parameters for offering public comments and input.  “   “

Jake read rules –

 

 

Bob Fiermuth – his home is closest to the easement for potential subdivision which will be on City property. He is concerned about decreasing property values since the planned subdivision is 34 acres and there will be 99 proposed houses built.  He is also concerned about the increase traffic since the only access currently for the subdivision is the easement off Briedsan Dr. He feels the road is not in the best condition currently and vehicle traffic will only cause more harm. He also expressed displeasure that the meeting held by the City on September 9 was not publicly noticed.

Dean Tucker – He is also concerned about increased traffic and the road condition

Luke Hagen – resides on Homburg Lane and is concerned that there will be 5 lots abutting his property. He also indicated that there is a proposed access on Warner Road which will increase traffic.

 

Michael Grubb an attorney for new buyers for the Treibold property on Willis Ray Road is for a rezone of the entire property. The property is currently zone as A3 and A4 and they want to change to the same zone for the entire parcel.  Walworth said in order to do the rezone, there also needs to be a conditional use request as well as changing the zoning. The County referred the new owners to the Township for initial approval.  Jon made a motion to approve both the rezone and conditional; seconded by Jake and the motion carried.

 

Bill Katravas is requesting a zoning change for property on Hwy 12. The parcel is currently zoned A-1 and he wants it changed to industrial so that he can establish a metal fabrication business. Currently there is a 20’ X 40” pole barn that he can convert for that purpose. 20×40 pole barn to a steel fabrication business. His focus would be manufacturing stairs, railings, ladders for residential use and some commercial needs. There is an existing driveway that he feels would accommodate the 18’ stake trucks that would haul raw material and finished products. Bob expressed concerns that the driveway would not work as the business grows and larger equipment would need access to the property. Jon says the State would not allow the existing driveway and Bill will need to investigate what changes need to be made. Jon also said to contact the building inspector to determine what changes need to be made to the pole barn to function as he intends for a commercial enterprise. Jon made a motion to change the zoning to industrial, with an upgrade to the existing driveway and if the building passes inspection, B seconded and the motion carried.

 

A motion passed at the 8-13-2025 meeting that indicated Town Whitewater would open specific additional roads to ATV/UTV traffic if the Town of Richmond opened the roads that border with the Town of Whitewater are currently restricted. Ordinance # 2025-910 was signed that opens All of R&W Townline Road and Chapel Dr to ATV/UTV vehicles. This ordinance will be in effect following its signing and posting per State law.

 

Discussion centered on changes to current Town ordinances regarding public nuisance issues. Currently the Town Code only addresses disorderly conduct and abandoned vehicles. The process going forward is to gather information from other towns’ codes, Board experience and legal advice and then adopt an ordinance that broadens the Town’s attention to public health and safety. Bob is suggesting that noise disturbances be addressed. Keith Hochhalter has concerns about bright lights. The suggestions and recommendations will be discussed at the October meeting.

 

Surety bonds are required by the County to cover the total dollar amount for real estate tax receipts that are processed at the Town from December through January each year. The cost for the bond is $250.00 – 300.00 per year.  The Town’s insurance carrier, Rural Insurance, advises that that type of coverage is already included in the current policy. The Board expressed the opinion that purchasing the bond at the current rate is in the better interest of the Town. There will be no change to the current policy.

 

A Budget Workshop is scheduled for September 24, 2025 at 5:00 PM. This will be a posted open meeting.

 

Jon made a motion to allocate $2600.00 to purchase salt/sand through the County in 2025 knowing that the invoicing from the County will impact the 2026 budget, not 2025; Bob seconded the motion and the motion carried.

 

Checks were signed and ACH payments were approved.
Jon made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Bob and the motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM

 

Respectfully submitted by Jorja Boiley Clerk-Treasurer