Town of Washburn
Bayfield County
DRAFT – Annual Meeting Minutes
April 21, 2026

Call to order: Scottie Sandstrom, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

In attendance: Scottie Sandstrom, Matt Tetzner, Seth Vasser, Vicki Thoen Christina Eliason, Mike Harvey, Connie Cogger, Tom Cogger, Wendy Stien, Bob Adams, Jim Miller, Bob Short, Teri Short, Cheryl Sandstrom, Kenneth Bro, Roy Settgas, Bob Marx, Cyndee Marx, Alex Prediger, Mike Vavrus, Lance Twombly, Dennis Weibel, Kathleen Russell. Online attendance was not available.

Verification of proper public noticed: notices were posted at the Town Hall, Ashland Daily Press, Tetzner’s Dairy

Acceptance of Agenda: Bob Short made the motion to accept the agenda. Seconded by Roy Settgas. All ayes. Motion carried.

Approve Minutes from previous Annual Meeting, April 15, 2025: Lance Twombly made the motion to approve the minutes of the last annual meeting. Mike Vavrus seconded the motion. All ayes. Motion carried.

Reflections from the Board this past year:
Scottie, Chair: It was a challenging year with the turnover in clerk position. Vicki was appointed in January. Last year we applied for a grant for Wannebo Road project and received confirmation of approval. Our project was 1 of 88 that were approved. We will receive 69.72% reimbursement of $700K project. Crack sealing the roads in the town are an important focus. We have 27 miles of asphalt roads and need to work on 1 mile per year.
Matt, Supervisor: Stated it has been a learning experience as a new Supervisor. Scottie’s experience is very helpful. The Board works well together and makes the best decisions they can after doing due diligence. Supporting Mike with needs for road maintenance is imporant part of the job.
Seth, Supervisor: He appreciates Scottie’s experience and enjoys the WTA meetings. He has been learning a lot. It’s interesting and humbling with what a challenge it can be.
Christina, Treasurer: it was a challenge filling in with during clerk duties with the vacancies while still learning the treasurer position. She gave the financial report and explained the indebtedness. There is a new loan for $181,000 for the new Holland Tractor. Terms are 5 years at 4.25%. The first annual payment is scheduled for January 2027. Town is in good financial condition.
Vicki, Clerk: Has been in office for 3 months. The Spring Election went well. Appreciates the poll workers and their willingness to help with elections. There is a lot to learn and she is enjoying it.
Mike, Road Superintendent: Scottie mentioned that we recognized Mike for 20 years of service with the town at the April 14 Board meeting. Mike said he appreciates our current board and appreciates Scottie and his efforts with the Wannebo Rd project and grant applications.

Town Plowing Driveways in the Future: Last winter Mike had time to plow 4 driveways 11 applied for the service. At the WTA meeting they discussed the liability of the town plowing private property. Mike shared that he gets a lot of calls about when will driveways get plowed. Since we were understaffed this past winter Mike was telling people to call a private business since it would take him 4 or 5 days to get to the driveways. He suggests that we only do plowing on request and not for every snow event. Tom Cogger mentioned that when he was on the board years ago the same conversation happened. Private driveways should be plowed by private business. Roy Settgas mentioned that his driveway has been plowed by the town for 40 years. It’s a half mile long and didn’t think private businesses would have comparable equipment. This winter he used a private business and it worked well. Likes the idea of the town doing it as needed. Connie Cogger asked what surrounding towns do. Bayview doesn’t do private plowing, Barksdale hires private businesses to plow, Bayfield hires private business. Jim Miller likes the ‘on call’ idea as needed. Suggested providing list of private plowing businesses. Cyndee Marx made the motion that the Town no longer plow on regular basis but offer the service as ‘on call only’. Kim Bro seconded the motion. All ayes. Motion carried.

Resolution for Re-Affirmation of Town Village Powers: the resolution states “The Town of Washburn, Bayfield County, Wisconsin, by a majority vote of the eligible electors voting at the Annual Town meeting with notice assembled and voting, resolves that action taken by the electors at the Annual Meeting of April 9, 1996 of the Town of Washburn authorizing the Town Board to exercise village powers, be re-affirmed by this resolution, as a resolution at the time of such authorization has not been able to be found in the Town records.” Kim Bro made the motion that we pass Village Powers Resolution 2026-3 reaffirming the exercise of village powers. The motion was seconded by Jim Miller. All ayes. Motion carried. (23 present, all ayes.)

Future Appointment of Town Clerk and Town Treasurer: Seth discussed reasons to appoint the Clerk and Treasurer: appointing allows the board to look outside of township to fill the position, it presents the possibility of joining with another town to share a clerk/treasure if needed. Scottie mentioned ability to interview and pick the best candidate based on qualifications. Longevity of clerk is helpful for the town. Appointed clerks and treasurers are becoming common. There were questions and comments regarding job descriptions and evaluations. If passed, The Clerk and Treasurer positions would not be on the ballot in April 2027. At that time the board will interview and appoint someone to those positions. Connie Cogger made that motion that clerk and treasurer be appointed in the future. Bob Marx seconded the motion. All ayes. Motion carried.

Clerk & Treasurer Salaries and Board Meeting Per-diem (effective 4/2027): Since the Clerk and Treasurer positions will be appointed in the future, those salaries were not discussed. Vicki shared information obtained from surrounding towns to compare what they are paying their board members. After discussion, Tom Cogger moved that effective April 2027 we change the board pay from meeting per diem to an annual salary and set the salary for the Chair at $5000/year and the Supervisors $3000/year. Kathleen Russel seconded the motion. All ayes. Motion carried.

Open Floor for Electors: Tom Cogger: mentioned that he is involved in town planning. One of the things they have done is identified that our town character is important. Dark Skies Committee will apply to have our town designated as Dark Sky Town. Let him know if interested in joining committee. Meetings are held on Zoom and are held to 1 hour. Need to protect what we have. There are outdoor lights that are certified for Dark Skies. Will add information to the website.

Bob Short felt that when there are a lot of trucks hauling material to the landfill on West Maple Hill Road, that perhaps the trucks could be diverted to go back east on South Maple Hill instead of going back down West Maple Hill and creating more dust. Mike said that would be very detrimental to that asphalt road, and that’s why the trucks are instructed to go back down West Maple Hill.
Scottie mentioned that we were able to get clay from city and Bayview to add to the landfill cover and seeded. Should be improved. We will try to get more material when the city does the next phase of road improvements in 2027 to cover the rest of the landfill. City, town and Bayview used the landfill.
Lance Twombly asked about the solar project. We should have movement on it by early June. Kathleen Russell stated appreciation to the board for their work on the town’s behalf.

Next year meeting: 3rd Tuesday, April 20, 2027

Adjournment: Mike Vavrus made the motion to adjourn. Jim Miller seconded the motion. All ayes. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 8:33.