STATE OF WISCONSIN
Town of Washburn
Town Meeting Minutes – April 14, 2026

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Scottie Sandstrom, Chair.

In attendance: Board members – Scottie Sandstrom, Matt Tetzner, Seth Vasser, Vicki Thoen, Christina Eliason. Others: Mike Harvey (Road Superintendent), Sandra Raspotnik, Ellen Avol-Law, Sarah Beebe, Cyndee Marx, Bob Marx, Nori Schwenzfeier, Tim Schwenzfeier, John Carlson, Steve Tetzner, Ryan Vanderscheuren
Online: Wendy Stein, Kim Bro, Jim Park

Proper public notice was verified: Ashland Daily Press, Tetzner’s Dairy, town website, Town Hall

Public Comment: Sandy Raspotnik and Ellen Avol-Law reviewed the request from last month regarding resolution for transparency of voucher program cost with statement being added to the annual tax statements. Nori Schwenzfeier – commented on the dust ordinance, requesting resolution, stated the responsibility lies with the town. Cyndee Marx- stated that she is opposed to the school resolution. We need more info and accountability from school district regarding how many students are coming into district from other districts as well. Ryan Vanderscheuren – commented that he is opposed to the school district resolution to add voucher info on tax bill. Stated we should get the school budget annually and know where all of the money goes. Sarah Beebe – said that she is opposed to the resolution from the school board to add comment on tax bill. Christina Eliason – as a citizen not as a board member, stated she is opposed to the town board getting involved with the school board resolution. The Town should concentrate on Town business only. She feels we need all the budget numbers.

A motion was made by Seth to accept the agenda. Matt seconded the motion. All ayes. Motion carried.

Seth made the motion to approve the minutes from previous meeting: Matt seconded. All ayes. Motion carried.

School Board of Washburn Resolution- The board discussed their views on the resolution. Scottie stated that he is opposed to resolution and thinks the Town should be about town business. Matt said he received several messages about this topic and talked to Superintendent to hear both sides. He agrees with the town doing town business but understands both sides of the issue. The School District is considering a newsletter. Seth is for the resolution and thinks transparency is important. Scottie moved that we do not pass the resolution. There wasn’t a second to the motion. Seth made the motion to pass the resolution. Matt seconded the motion. 2 ayes, 1 nay from Scottie Sandstrom. Motion carried. The town will include a statement on the annual cost of the school voucher program on tax statements.

Update/Action on Town Dust Ordinance(s)/Town Roads Dust Mitigation -Seth moved to open the floor to town attorney John Carlson, Matt seconded the motion. All ayes. Motion carried. Scottie presented the information from recent meetings and phone conversation with parties involved. The Board decided the following:
• The Town agrees to rescind Dust Mitigation Ordinance #2025-2. Seth made the motion that we rescind ordinance #2025-2. Matt seconded the motion. All ayes. Motion carried.
• The Town should adopt Ordinance #2026-1 Town of Washburn Fugitive Dust Ordinance for Unpaved Roads which includes posting signs with a speed limit of 15 mph for material hauling trucks. Seth made the motion that we pass Ordinance #2026-1. Matt seconded the motion. All ayes. Motion carried. Scottie made the motion that we purchase two road signs for the 15 mph speed limit. Seth seconded the motion. All ayes. Motion carried.
• The Town should invest in a salt/sand spreader for use of spreading Calcium Chloride. The estimated cost is $1800. Matt moved to purchase the spreader equipment. Seth seconded the motion. All ayes. Motion carried.
• Bob Olson has agreed to pay for two applications of Calcium Chloride per season. The Town will offer dust mitigation to other residents once costs are calculated. Currently expected to be $1.50/foot.
• The Town will exercise its prosecutorial discretion regarding the enforcement of the new adopted ordinance.

Reports:
Clerk: reported that 278 people voted during the Spring Election, April 7. 44 absentee ballots were issued, 38 were returned but one was rejected due to no witness signature, one was rejected because it was received on April 13. We had 60% voter turnout. Reminder that Open Book is scheduled for May 8 from 1:00 – 3:00 at the Town Hall. Board of Review is scheduled on May 20 from 6:00 – 8:00 at the Town Hall. See Notice posted on the website, at Tetzner’s Dairy and the Town Hall for guidelines. Annual Meeting is on April 21. Attended webinar for completion of Form CT Municipal Financial Report that is required by WI Dept. of Revenue.

Treasurer: looking into changing banks for our checking account, will present info at the May meeting. Presented current budget report. Will send out invoices for snow plowing next month. The bank accounts are reconciled for March.

Road Crew: Scottie recognized Mike for 20 years of service with the town. He was given a gift certificate to a local restaurant. He reported that things went well through the winter but it was a tough winter with ice accumulation and lots of snow. There are a lot of soft areas on gravel roads. Wants to buy a Box Scraper attachment for tractor. Lulich has one for $3000. Scottie made the motion to purchase the box scraper. Seth seconded the motion. All ayes. Motion carried. Back Hoe issues, Caterpillar was here again and the bucket works better now.

Chair: The DOT approved funding for Wannebo Road project at 69.72% of project cost. The project costs are estimated at $700,000 with $488,040 reimbursed by WIS DOT. Emmer Shields and Bob Anderson helped with application for the grant. Forrest Service mtg last Thursday. Scottie attended. Road Superintendents requested better cooperation and communication regarding logging and roads that need to be cleared/plowed. Mentioned Agenda items for Annual Meeting: board members will report on the past year, decide on driveway plowing for the future, change from electing Town Clerk and Treasurer to Appointment, Review pay levels for clerk, treasurer, and board members. Village Powers Resolution, Town indebtedness, open floor, and next Annual meeting April 20,2027

Seth made the motion to approve the reports. Matt seconded the motion All ayes. Motion carried,

Plan Commission – Kim Bro reported that Bayfield County is rewriting zoning policy and hosting public meetings. The one in our area is April 29 at Bayfield Town Hall at 6:30. Town Boards need to agree to be part of zoning, some zoning may change. We received a Driveway Permit request from Tracy DeFoe – need sketch of where the residence will be placed on property and will review in May if received in time. Share the road signs will cost $65 each.

Town Board Resolution for Transportation Funding as presented by the Wisconsin Towns Association: Seth made the motion to approve, Matt seconded. All ayes. Motion carried.

Scheduled Bid for West Engoe Road Double Chip Seal Project – request for bids will be in Ashland Daily Press Thursday, April 16 and Thursday, Apil 23. They will be reviewed at the May 12. Meeting.

Mowing the Landfill this Summer – Scottie talked to Duane Raspotnik to see if he would mow this summer. There is more to mow this year and he requested $700 for the summer. Scottie made the motion to move forward with Duane Raspotnik mowing the landfill for $700. Matt seconded the motion. All ayes. Motion carried.

Items to be placed on future agendas:
Kelly Traczyk from WEDC to share her role in upcoming solar project
Open bids for Engoe Rd project
Schedule Road inspection

Authorize the payment of bills – After reviewing the bills, Seth made the motion to authorize payments. Matt seconded the motion. All ayes. Motion carried.

Adjournment – at 9:10 Seth made the motion that we adjourn. Matt seconded the motion. All ayes. Motion carried.

Respectfully Submitted,

Vicki Thoen, Clerk