MINUTES

Regular Town Board Meeting

Wednesday, 10-15-2025 6:00 PM

Jon called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM

In attendance – Jon, Bob, Carl, Jorja; Jake

Bob made a motion to approve the agenda as presented, seconded by Jon and with a unanimous vote, the motion carried.

Bob made a motion to approve the minutes from 9-24-2025 Budget workshop, seconded by Jon and the motion carried.
Sheriff’s Department Report: 107 calls in September as expected the number of calls diminishes during colder months.

Treasurer report:

• Office Equipment: $11,254.00
• Truck/equipment: 50,525.00
• New building/maintenance: 50,458.00
• Tax receipts account: 690,721.00
• Cash account: 50,720.00

Clerk:

• Official # from Department of admin/state population as of 1/1/2025 = 1434
• With approx. 1225 eligible to vote
• Lange Enterprises will no longer offer the service of creating fire numbers. They will continue to produce the fire number signs. The County can provide training and/or assume the responsibility of assigning numbers. They will stop the service effective 1-1-2026
• Bureau of corrections sent information on producing the fire number signs “for as low as #16.00 each”.
• November is the annual homeowners meeting. There are three meetings that are held – a public hearing, special meeting to vote on accepting the Town’s levy limit for 2025 taxes, payable in 2026 and the regular monthly meeting.

Bob made a motion to approve the clerk-treasurer report, seconded by Bob and the motion
carried.

Supervisor reports:

Jon met with the City regarding the new subdivision proposed near Old Hwy 12. He felt it was a good discussion and the City agreed to consider the traffic pattern concerns.

Bob – no report

Public Works report:
Carl is working on grant applications; went to an LRIP (Local Roads Improvement Plans) meeting and is now chair of the committee. Bluff Road may not even be eligible for a grant because of the solar fields being constructed.
Tree cutting is scheduled for State Park Road as there are several trees that require cutting back/removal.
The Sheriff’s boat is out of the water. Buoys coming out of the lake on Saturday. The large barge was sold and a smaller one is available. It will be a longer process to remove buoys.

 

Public comments*
Dan Dern – upset about inequity on allowing people to speak in public comments.
Dan feels that his concerns are not generating a proper response.
Wade Tillet – W7695 Bluff Rd; RE: solar farm. He would not have bought that property if he had known the fields were to be built.
Dawn Rocha– her concerns are who will remove the solar farms when they are no longer viable? The land will not be able to farm for decades. What will happen if a tornado blows the shields into resident yards, concerned about the animals and the effect. Flooding and erosion.

Allan Wood – speaking on behalf of a group of people. He feels that the Public Service Commission did not follow current law. He suggested that the Board meet with the many concerned citizens who have been researching the pros and cons of the solar farms.

 

James Keinbaum: shared information on a solar field that was installed about 15 years ago in California. The field is failing, it is bug infested, birds are being killed. That project was designated to run until 2036 and it is now closed. There is no method to dispose of the material.

 

Dan Dern – Wisconsin does not have the right weather to operate solar farms. He claims that there are only about 95 days a year that are pure sunny. Service will still rely on WE energies for power. The farms pollute the soil. They use magnesium to kill the grass to install the panels.

Evette W2861 State Road 59  She has spent many hours dedicated to stopping the farms. She says others are not standing up to fight against the farms. There will be a meeting held at the Community Center next to Walmart and she encourages everyone to attend.

Jim Aron – He lives on Parker Road is wants to thank the plow drivers for the excellent  service the Town has provided. He also appreciates the opportunity for public comments.

Betsi Smith: applauds the tree removal

Jodi Aron –she indicates that WE Energies will be buying the property. The solar farm in Darien is producing energy at a level of 3% that they promised.

 

GWLPOA is requesting permission for 2026 Music on the Lake events.  Potential dates and times were offered by Amy Rodgers: June 27, 7-9 PM; Aug 8, 7-9 PM and Sept 6 6-8 PM.  Jon made a motion to approve the events, seconded by Bob and the motion carried. The Association also presented a check for $1000.00 to help pay for the new mobile speed sign.

Since most of the opinions regarding the Solar Project were already presented, there was no further discussion.

The contract between Johnson Sand & Gravel and the Town of Whitewater was negotiated with legal agreement and both parties that Johnson Sand & Gravel will pay up to $200,000.00 for road repair. Jon made a motion to approve the contract, Bob added that the location of the driveway be changed to an access on R&W Townline road, west of Engle. Jon restated the motion to include the driveway placement, seconded by Jake and the motion carried.

Jon made a motion to accept the increase for John’s Disposal 2026 contract, seconded by Bob and the motion carried

Jake suggests speed limit changes on McCabe and R&W Townline Roads. McCabe is currently 55 mph. and he is suggesting a change to 45 mph.  R&W Townline near the elementary school is now 45 mph and does drop to 15 mph in front of the school. However, a driver cannot see around the hill/corner and he feels 35 mph. is more logical.  Richmond is ok with the the change on R&W Townline; LaGrange wants a board member to attend their next meeting to discuss.
Jake made a motion to reduce the speed limit from Engel Rd to Kettle Moraine Drive from 45 mph. to 35 mph., seconded by Jon and the motion carried.

Jake made a motion to reduce the speed limit from 55 to 45, based on agreement from LaGrange Township, seconded by Jon and the motion carried.

Discussion regarding potential change for the Town legal needs. Jon does not feel he is getting positive responses to crucial issues from the current law firm. Jake agrees that we need to have representation from someone who is better versed in Township law. Carl cautioned to not have the same lawyer as surrounding towns in case of conflicts between two towns which are represented by the same firm. Jon made a motion to establish legal representation with the Municipal Law Group based in Waukesha and to send a letter to current attorney ending that association, Bob seconded the motion and the motion carried

Carl collected three quotes for a new lawn mower. He felt that the quote from Johnson Tractor has the best price with specific features that are preferred. Jon made a motion to proceed with the purchase of the Ferris mower from Johnson Tractor at a cost of $7511.00, Jake seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Jon made a motion to approve Ordinance 2025-10-15 that changes the open routes for ATV/UTV traffic. From R&W Townline the following roads south-bound from R&W Townline will be open to ATV/UTV  traffic: Krahn Road, Chapel Drive, Lorwood Drive and Woodfield Lane, bob seconded and motion carried.

Jon made a motion to adjourned to a closed session per WI state statute 19.85(1)(c) to consider employee performance and compensation, Bob seconded the motion and the motion carried. The Open Meeting adjourned into closed session at 7:05 PM.

The Open meeting was called to order at 7:26 PM. In attendance: Jon Tanis, Bob Strand, Jake Hintz and Donna Sherman, deputy clerk.

Jon made a motion to accept the recommended Clerk compensation increase to take effective immediately, seconded by Jake Hintz all in favor motion passed.

Jon made a motion to accept the recommendations for the Public Works Superintendent contract changes with the increase pay compensation to take effect immediately, Bob included vacation/sick days to start January 1, 2026 seconded by Jake Hintz all in favor motion passed.

Jon made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Bob, the motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 7:29 PM

Respectfully submitted by Jorja Boiley, Clerk-Treasurer