Minutes
Wednesday, October 11, 2023

 

 

Lowell called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM

In attendance: Lowell, Bob, Jon, Jorja

Jon made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Bob and the motion carried

Jon  made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 13, 2023 monthly meeting, seconded by Bob and the motion carried

Treasurer report: fund balances and cash balances were read

Clerk report:

The 2-way radios that were approved for purchase at the August 2023 meeting were quoted at $2500 each. After information received from Richard Abbott the County ARPA liaison, the cost may be higher than expected. Further research is needed for verification.

The population for the Township is 1429 with 1217 eligible voters. There are about 950 – 1000 registered voters. For 2024 elections, absentee ballots must be requested after January 1. There will be 4 elections in 2024 and the absentee applications, mailing envelopes and certificate envelopes are a new format.
Bob made a motion to approve the clerk and treasurer reports, seconded by Jon and the motion carried.

 

Supervisors’ reports:

Jon – no report

Bob – attended WTA meeting in Barneveld, WI that included information on changing speed limits in the Township. If the requested change in speed limit is no more than 10 mph, the engineer’s study is waived and the report/study reverts to a Town official. Specifically addressing the speed limit on Clover Valley Road, where no speed limits are posted, the assumed limit is 55 mph. if go to 35, would need a study by engineer. Same with Glacial

Lowell – receiving letters about speed limits. He feels that even lowering the speed limits will not keep people from speeding.

Public Works report: in process of finishing the grant application with WISLR and the PACE reports. There is a need to formalize the processes for buoy install and removal, plus boat storage. Carl is working on forming a crew for buoy removal on Whitewater and Rice Lakes.

Sheriff’s Department incident report: no report.

Jon made a motion to approve the schedule of events for the GWLPOA summer 2024 events, seconded by Bob and the motion carried.

Cathy Braun presented checks to the Board for two $500.00 donations from the GWLPOA and Robert Sivek to help with the cost of the two-way radios.

 

In response to information shared by
Mr. Wildi reported that a large basswood tree in ROW on E. Lakeshore is rotting and needs to be removed before any potential damage is done. Bob has already contacted Wills Tree Service and made a motion to approve the removal of the tree by Wills Tree Service in the amount of $3000.00 Lowell seconded the motion and the motion carried.

 

Russ Kilpin presented a petition for all Township roads to be accessible to ATV/UTV usage. A long discussion was held with both pros and cons presented. The chairman from Palmyra indicated that their town is open to traffic except for those roads immediately adjacent to Spruce Lake. The decision was open to the home association in that area. The opinion was shared that open access was approved if the speed limit was 15 mph.

A discussion regarding repairs needed for the spreader on the one ton vehicle. The repairs would be approximately $3000.00 and there is money in the budget to cover the cost.

Carl offered more in-depth information regarding the road grant applications. There are two town roads that are in very poor condition. Gluff and Howard are also the two roads that receive the highest amount of traffic, especially with larger trucks. Bob made a motion to apply for a grant on Bluff Road. The cost for repairing Bluff Road is nearing 1.5 million and based on previous years’ grant awards, Carl feels the Town would have a better chance of receiving the grant for Bluff Road as opposed to Howard.  Bob made a motion to apply for the Bluff Road grant, seconded by Jon and the motion carried. Seconded by Jon and motion carried.

Regarding the invoice for repairs made on E. Lakeshore Drive, even though the final cost exceeded the bid by $18,000.00, Rock Road would not negotiate their invoice. Lowell made a motion to pay the balance on the invoice, seconded by Bob and the motion carried with a 2/3 majority.

Jon made a motion to agree with the costs for salt and sand through the County, seconded by Bob and the motion carried.

John’s Garbage contract for 2024 is $218,747.76 which is a 3.6% increase from 2023. Currently John’s is servicing 931 addresses. Jon made a motion to accept the new contract, seconded by Bob and the motion carried.

Jon made a motion to approve the health insurance program for Carl, seconded by Bob and the motion carried.

Jon made a motion to accept the new fee schedule from MZIS for processing all the building permits for the Town, seconded by Bob and the motion carried. The new fee schedule is in effect.

A new ordinance regarding changes for contractors working in the Town is tabled.

The agenda item for speed limits was previously discussed at this meeting.

Lowell made a motion to adjourn to a closed session per WI 19.85(1)(c) to consider employee performance review, Jon seconded the motion and the adjournment was 8:30 PM.

 

Bills were approved and paid.

Jon made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Bob anda the motion carried with final adjournment at 8:55 PM.

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Respectfully submitted by Jorja Boiley, Clerk/Treasurer