State of Wisconsin

Town of Washburn

Board Meeting Minutes 11-11-25

Call to order – meeting began at 6:44 p.m.

Those present were: Scottie Sandstrom, Matt Tetzner, Christina Eliason, Cyndee Marx, Seth Vasser

Others:  Bob Olson, Pamela McGillivray, Kim Bro.  On line:  Wendy Stein, Jim Park

Posted notice at Daily Press, Website, Town Hall and Tetzner’s Dairy

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Public comments: 

Pamela McGillivray, daughter of Bob Olson and lawyer, environmental and land use spoke.  She was not in attendance for the dust ordinance.  She’s requesting room for changes to dust ordinance to make it workable for everyone.  It’s about dust on gravel road from any trucks.  There are other vehicles that create this, as well.

She said that terms are not defined.  How do we know when excessive dust occurs?  Also, there is no limitation as to cost.  That open amount is not fair.  Also related, the ordinance contains a steep penalty for failure to pay bill.  That amount is excessive.  It is creating much turmoil for her family.

She is asking the Board to go back and think about how to make it more understandable and have stop gaps for amounts cited.  She suggested an amount for $3,000 for planning purposes.  The ordinance she refers to relates to dust mitigation from County C onto Hovey Lane.  There has been only one complaint from SW Hovey Lane.  Do dust mitigation control from that corner from neighbors who brought up the issue.

$500/day penalty is out of line with failure to pay with ordinances and state statues.  She said they are here as a good faith measure to resolve this.

Bob prepared a written statement.  They want to make it work but not on the back of unreasonable ordinances.

Scottie asked for a discussion on remedy to this.  Motion by Matt, second by Seth to open the floor.  All ayes.

Scottie said we need to get our lawyer, John Carlson involved.  Pam summarized in a letter what she shared.  She would be willing to have that conversation with Carlson to see if changes need to be made.  Scottie said he would work toward convening a meeting with them, our Board and Carlson, and obtained Pam’s phone contact information.

Bob got a quote for 3250 ft of paving the road. Northwoods Paving was $98,000.  (Cty C to his road 22 ft wide, with 2” asphalt thickness).

Seth moved out of public comments.  Matt seconded.  All ayes.

Seth made a motion to accept the agenda.  Matt seconded, all ayes.

Scottie made a motion to approve the minutes from five previous meetings.  Seth seconded to approve Oct. 14^th Closed Session Meeting, Town Boad Meeting, Oct. 14, Closed Session Meeting, Oct. 22^nd, Oct. 22 Budget Session Meeting and Special Closed Session Meeting, Nov. 10^th.  All Ayes.

Seth motioned to approve the budget, Matt seconded.  All ayes.

Dust Citation review and action. 

Scottie:  The citation we got from John Carlson is a general one he has used for other townships.  It can be applicable for any citations we may cite.   It’s the process for issuing a citation.  Scottie gave a copy to Pam for her and Mr. Olson.

Seth motioned to approve the citation ordinance.  Matt seconded.  All ayes.

Scottie signed it.  Cyndee witnessed it.  It needs a public notice of ordinance adoption for #2025-3.

Reports:

Treasurer –

For Nov 2025:

• We in a good position with $253,679 in the bank
• We will be paying the $37,400 invoice for crack sealing.
• We’re expecting a check from the State of WI for $50,000 more in shared revenue
• We have 2 CDs in the bank
• Snow plow letters have been received. 10 regular plowing requests have been received plus others, on request, based on time.
• 4^th payroll is done, will meet with Cyndee Friday to start training on QuickBooks.
• Bills are paid from up to Nov. 11.

Road Crew – Mike got some grading done in the national forest.

We are moving into snowing season and will try to get mowing done in the barrens on the side of road.  Some was done on FR236 this summer.

Mike was asked to get prices on signs, bicycle/walking and other- 6 signs at 45 mph would be $880.  Kim recommended at McKinley and S. Maple hill to C would have 45 mph limit.

There was discussion on other caution signs and where they should be placed in town.

It was decided to get 6 signs at 45 mph for now.  A motion was made by Matt, Scottie seconded.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Chair report – Scottie met with Emmer Shields.  He submitted the Town’s TRI application, which we have secured to be reimbursed 50% from the State DOT for the west 1-mile Engoe Road double-chip seal construction the Town will do in 2026.  Emmer will submit the application into WISLR for us.  Scottie also submitted the LRIP application for the portion of west Wannebo Rd (Pajala Rd to Church Corner Rd on Wannebo) to Emmer which Bob Anderson, town resident crafted for the Town, plus Scottie provided the narrative for the application, along with pictures and support letters were submitted.  A good narrative is important for people who look at application, safety is priority, tourist traffic along with the economic impact of logging, which is all included in the application.  The County CTRIC committee will review all Town applications within the County once all applications are in.  The Town always hopes for a high ranking within the submissions, which can lead to more chance of the application to be awarded.

On Nov. 6, Scottie emailed Brightspeed.  We have been asking since August for copies of invoices for the year.  They need to get us the documentation per month.  Scottie will continue to follow up.

We got an email from Lynn Devine that asked if our Town could be a food collection spot.  Our consensus is we won’t have people to man it.  If they have a drop off in Washburn, we can let people know.  Cyndee will let her know.    Seth moved to approve reports.  Matt seconded.  All ayes.

The Planning commission asking for approval on driveway permit for Eric and Brittany Sirrine driveway.  They have a gravel road now and one acre clearing.  It was recommended to approve.

Kim Bro noted that Tim Schweinzfier, a plan commission member, acknowledged that the new County building inspector from Clear Lake, has suggested that when we issue a driveway permit, the Town should provide the signed copy of it to the land owner.  It was agreed that a signed pdf copy will be scanned and approved and emailed to them.    Christina got a signed driveway permit check for $25.  Everything since mid-September, Christina has, and if will be checked if any driveway permit checks aren’t yet secured.  The most recent permit was for Norman and Susan Sessman.

Scan and send email to Sirrine’s and give back to Mike.  Cyndee will do.

Landfill – Scottie brought up to Kim Bro that we need to follow up regarding an ordinance to be crafted together for our Town, the Town of Bayview, and the City of Washburn.  We will use joint resolution as model.

Cyndee announced the Election Poll workers to be approved.  They are Ruth Hartzell, Lynne Borchers, Sarah Tetzner, Mike Vavrus, Christina Eliason,  Caroline Twombly and Cheryl Sandstrom.  Cyndee will notify them and get them their certificates and the Oath of Office signed.  Motion to approve them by Scottie, Seth seconded.  All ayes.

There was a motion by Matt to approve the budget.  Seth seconded.  All ayes.  The budget was approved.

Road Crew Future Planning and subs for snow plowing were discussed.  Matt talked to Joe Tetzner.  He would do early mornings.  Mike will contact him and set up time to meet.  Bill Mihalek and Pat Guski were also noted as possible drivers.

There was discussed on how they were to be paid and what rate   Would they be on payroll or sub-contractors and how many people were needed?  A wage rate for part time was agreed at $24.00/hr.    Scottie motioned to approve the rate.  Seth seconded.  All ayes.

We’re going to work with part-time snowplow drivers this winter and review whether to look at part-time hiring, full-time hiring or contracting with the county for spring.

Town Building Permits update

Regarding Invoicing for outstanding building permits that the Town is obligated to pay, Scottie asked Mr. Kegley (the new County Building Inspector) and wife Dawn about people outstanding with inspections.  We were given an estimate of $1,000 left to do. Christina has a check to send them on the current invoice.  Seth made a motion to approve, Matt seconded, All ayes.

Future agenda items:  The Olson ordinance:  Matt asked if can we do recycled blacktop? If we do calcium chloride over it, will it hold?   Mike will check with Sipsas and South Shore Sand and Gravel on recycled pricing.  Would it work and how much would it cost and how applications would be needed per year?  He will clarify the cost before the December meeting.

The Board Authorized the payment of bills.

Mileage and meeting pay sheets are due by November 30.

Seth made a motion to approve the bills.   Matt seconded.  All ayes.

Seth motioned to adjourn the meeting.  Matt seconded.  All ayes. The meeting was adjourned at 8:47 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Cyndee Marx, Town Clerk.

Town of Washburn
Bayfield County
Special Town Meeting
November 10, 2025

Present:  Scottie Sandstrom,  Seth Vasser, Matt Tetzner and Cyndee Marx.

At 6:07 pm, a special session meeting was called to order.

Agenda was posted at the town hall, Tetzner’s Dairy and on the website.

Seth made a motion to go into closed session, seconded by Matt. All Ayes, motion carried.

Seth made a motion to come out of closed session, seconded by Matt. All Ayes, motion carried.

At 8:18 pm, Scottie made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Seth. All Ayes, motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Cyndee Marx,

Clerk

STATE OF WISCONSIN
Town of Washburn
Bayfield County

The Town Board of the Town of Washburn, Bayfield County, Wisconsin, hereby provides its written notice and an agenda of the special public budget preparation meeting of the Town Board for Wednesday October 22 at 9:15 AM at the Washburn Town Hall. The meeting may be attended in person.  Virtual access will not be available for this meeting.

Agenda

1. Call to order and roll call
2. Verification of proper public notice
3. Pledge of Allegiance

4. Public Comment

Consider for approval or other action

1. Prepare 2026 Budget for potential review and action at the monthly meeting of November 11.
2. Adjournment

Meeting notice posted this 16^th day of October, 2025 on the Town’s website at https://townofwashburn.wi.gov

and at:  Washburn Town Hall and Tetzner’s Dairy

Scottie Sandstrom, Chair

Town of Washburn
Closed Session Board Meeting
October 22, 2025

Meeting was called to order at 8:00 AM by Supervisor, Vasser

It was verified that the agenda was provided to the Ashland Daily Press, posted on the Town Website, and physically posted at Tetzner’s Dairy and at the Town Hall.

Supervisor Vasser made a motion to go into closed session, Supervisor Tetzner seconded.  All ayes, motion carried.

Tetzner made a motion to come out of closed session, Vasser seconded.  All ayes, motion carried.

Vasser made a motion to adjourn, Tetzner seconded.  All ayes, motion carried.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:45 AM.

Respectfully submitted,

Seth Vasser, Supervisor Two

Town of Washburn
Town Board Meeting Notes
October 14, 2025

Meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m.

Those present were: Scottie Sandstrom, Cyndee Marx, Christina Eliason, Seth Vasser, Mike Harvey, Matt Tetzner, John Carlson, Tim Schwenzfeier, Trevor and Nori Schwenzfeier, Bob Anderson, Dale Rechcygl, Sarah Tetzner.

Those attending remotely were Jim Park.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Scottie noted the passing of Town Clerk, Fran Rechcygl, and she was recognized with appreciation for her service to the Town of Washburn during this current term.

A motion was made by Seth to accept the agenda.  Matt seconded, all yea.  Motion passed.

Seth motioned and Matt seconded to approve the minutes from the Sept. 9, 16, and 30^th meetings.  All ayes, motion approved.

Cyndee Marx was introduced as a new appointment for the Town Clerk position.  A motion by Scottie was made to appoint Cyndee as the new Town Clerk.  Matt seconded to approve.  All ayes. Motion passed.  There was discussion about the need to give Cyndee the Oath of Office.  Cyndee will talk to Lynn Divine (County Clerk) on necessary form to use and sign.

Plan Commission Report:

A driveway permit was recommended by the commission for Norman and Susan Cessna on McKinley Road.  A motion was made by Scottie and seconded by Matt to approve this permit.  All ayes.  Approved.

There was discussion on signage to make the roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists and where to put them.  A review of annual meeting minutes was suggested to see how many signs are needed.  Mike Harvey will check.

There was discussion on the county zoning re-write.  It was suggested that Kim Bro respond to a survey on the Board’s behalf by October 31.

There was discussion on a Dust Ordinance and application of calcium chloride to the roads and how to monitor it.  John Carlson talked about enforcement and there was discussion on ways that could be done, how the dust would be measured, what’s an acceptable level and who would be the enforcer.  It should be spelled out in a citation ordinance.  A motion was made by Matt to pass the Dust Ordinance reviewed by Mr. Carlson, and was seconded by Seth.  All ayes.  Motion approved.  John Carlson will check and see if bonding could be a possible option, as well.

The public notice of the ordinance will be completed by Kim Bro; the Town will then post the notice and Ordinance on the Town Website.

Reports

Clerk: Town Treasurer is currently handling the clerk’s duties

Treasurer:

• Plow letters have been sent out.
• Bank will transfer from Bremer to Old National
• Treasurer will do payroll until the first one in November.
• Payroll issue with Matt is resolved.
• Bills were given to board to review and sign.
• Essentia Health will no longer be doing DOT drug tests. Need to find a new location.  Can North Lakes do it?
• Pay adjustment will be given to Treasurer for added Clerk duties prorated from Sept. 9 – Oct. 14 plus a fixed amount of $300 for additional support. Cyndee will be paid from Oct. 15 – Dec. 9.

Road Crew:

A motion was made by Scottie to have Bob Anderson assist with maintenance.  It was seconded by Seth.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Mike said the mower tractor lost its brakes.  It will be between $5,500 and $6,500 to fix this winter.  Sipsas Excavating will be providing the best tonnage for the $9,000 Rock product secured via contract with the Forest Service in a previous board meeting.  The grader broke down and was fixed.  Mike talked about a water spreader – he will follow up next month.  Scottie, Bob Anderson (who was previously approved by the board as our Town Maintenance/Road advisor, and Mike met to work on budgeting and maintenance equipment.  Bob and Mike will get budget numbers and work on a maintenance schedule.

Chair

Scottie noted appreciation that Cyndee Marx was willing to be appointed as Town Clerk for the remainder of the term.

Scottie noted what we need to budget for the Solar Grant next year, in the amount of $25,556.05.  Was contacted by the County on this, and plans for construction on this will begin in the spring, potentially to be completed by late June, so we can put in reimbursement of total amount from Federal Government per the contract.

Scottie initiated discussion on providing a cell phone to the Town Clerk, which will be passed on to future clerks.  The discussion moved to a motion by Seth for the Town Clerk to get a cell phone.  It was seconded by Matt.  All ayes.  Motion approved.  Cyndee will check into it.

There are some Town building permits still in transition since the Board approved to have the County handle the building permit process about 2 years ago, cancelling us using the firm, Alden Engineering.  The Town will be responsible for payment of the final portion of those building permit fees, and suggestion is we explore whether the Town has any recourse on getting funds from Alden, though this may be too legally time intensive & expensive.  Jim Park (remotely) previous Town Supervisor, provided some insight on this during the discussion.  We’ll get some insight from Bayfield County on this matter.  Seth offered to look into this.

Matt motioned to approve all reports.  Seth seconded.  All ayes.  Motion approved.

Budgeting session – set for Wed., Oct 22^nd at 9 am.  Scottie will make sure we know the 2026 levy before budgeting.

Fire Contract Review – The Sept. 30 Contract meeting was not productive overall, as the City of Washburn did not have updated numbers for 2026 as expected.  Scottie pressed the city to have our Fire and EMS fees and yearly fire truck payment by Oct. 21, just prior to our budgeting, and he will follow up on this.  Randy Friday, the City of Washburn Administrator just recently resigned.

Tri-Road Funding Result – On October 9, Scottie met with the county road funding committee (CTRIC) along with several other town chairs within the county.  He was able to secure $35,000 in State Road Grant Funding for the Engoe Road (intersection of Viater Road, west to Brevak Road) double chip-seal overlay, which ties to the Town Board’s first priority in the 2025-2030 Road Plan, previously agreed upon.  Sandstrom suggests that we do this project next year (2026), as the total per the estimate now is $70,000.  Once the project is complete, the Town will request receiving the $35,000 grant money to offset the cost to the Town at 50%.  Matt made a motion and Seth seconded to proceed with the project next year.  All ayes, motion carried.

Potential LRIP Application w/amendment to 2025-2030 5-year road plan.  Discussion centered around that Bob Anderson will be willing to prepare the LRIP Application for 2 miles of Wannebo Road (Church Corner/Wannebo intersection west to Pajala Road).  This road is second in priority on the Town Road Plan to amend for 2025-2030.   Seth moved and Matt seconded moving ahead with this.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

Items to be placed on November agenda –

• Building permit discussion
• Receipt of and approval of Dust Ordinance Citation
• Approve Poll Workers
• Approve 2026 Budget

The bills were reviewed and a motion was made by Seth to authorize and sign them.  Matt seconded the motion.  All ayes.  Motion approved.

Matt motioned to adjourn the meeting.  Seth seconded the motion.  All ayes.  Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Cyndee Marx, Clerk

Town of Washburn
Closed Session Board Meeting.
October 14, 2025

Meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Chair, Sandstrom

It was verified that the agenda was provided to the Ashland Daily Press, posted on the Town Website, and physically posted at Tetzner’s Dairy and at the Town Hall.

Supervisor Vasser made a motion to go into closed session, Supervisor Tetzner seconded.  All ayes, motion carried.

Tetzner made a motion to come out of closed session, Vasser seconded.  All ayes, motion carried.

Sandstrom made a motion to adjourn, Tetzner seconded.  All ayes, motion carried.

Meeting was adjourned at 6:45 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Scottie Sandstrom, Chair

Plan Commission Minutes
Town of Washburn
Town Hall
Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Commission members present: Kim Bro (chair), Caroline Twombly, Seth Vasser (town board
representative).

Commission members absent: Cyndi Belanger (secretary) out of town, Tim Schwenzfeier (vice chair)
meeting conflict.

Others present (at site visit): Mike Harvey (town road superintendent).

1. Chairman Bro called the meeting of the Commission to order at 7:15 P.M. and verified its legal
notification (posted at Town Hall and Tetzner Dairy) on July 31, 2025 and on Town website on
August 3, 2025).

2. The minutes of the April 7, 2025 meeting were approved (Caroline moves, Seth seconds).

3. Prior to the meeting at 6:00 P.M., the commission conducted a site visit at James and Kari Carlson’s
property (30605 Wannebo Rd). Sand fill had been extended beyond the former glacial beach edge to
provide a granular base for a proposed shop building, the corners of which were marked with flags. A
71-foot turnaround tee was marked with flagging, but with no fill, north of the proposed building. The
proposed main driveway extends south 225 feet south from Wannebo Road. There is a 24-inch, 24-foot
long metal culvert in the Wannebo Road ditch A seep area (now dry) was visible downhill (east) of the
added fill for the proposed shop. The proposed shop is on a slope of a former glacial beach over a silty
clay confining layer (a steep transitional soil area).

4. Prior to the meeting at 6:30 P.M., the commission conducted a site visit at Seth and Angie Vasser’s
property (~200 feet west of 76175 Paulson Rd). They propose constructing a driveway 48 feet south of an
existing shared, private driveway where they propose adding a second residence. The existing sand soil
provides an adequate base that with a six-inch gravel topping will provide adequate load bearing
capacity. The proposed driveway, in conjunction with the existing private driveway, would provide an
adequate turnaround tee. Drainage on this wooded, level site is good. The issue with this driveway is the
steep, sharp turn in transitional soils where the existing driveway turns to the west. The driveway leading
north to this turn is approximately a 16% grade, exceeding the 10% maximum grade required by the
Town Driveway Ordinance. Winter access of emergency vehicles to the Vasser’s proposed long-term
rental is likely to be problematic unless the curve is widened and the turn is excavated to a more gradual
slope.

5. The commission reviewed the driveway permit application and preliminary development plan for Seth
and Angie Vasser to construct a driveway and a second residence on their 34-acre parcel in a Forestry-1
zoning district (part of SW¼SE¼ Section 32 T.49N R.5W; Tax ID #31134). The marked layout of the
driveway provides an adequate tee-turnaround for emergency vehicles but the steep sharp turn in the
existing, shared driveway could be an impediment to emergency vehicle access to the site. The
commission recommends (Caroline moves, Kim seconds, Seth abstains) that the town board approve the
driveway permit. The setback of the entire site retains the forested character of the area (Objective 8.3).
The commission recommends that the Town Board, as part of its recommendation for a County Class A
Special Use Permit for constructing a second residence, recommend providing a wider turn with a more
gradual slope in the existing, shared driveway so that buildings on the hill at the top of the driveway can
be reached by emergency vehicles in winter.

6. The commission reviewed the driveway permit application and preliminary development plan for James
and Kari Carlson to construct a driveway and a shop on their 5-acre parcel in an Agriculture-1 zoning
district (Lot 6 of Block 1, Textor’s Addition in W½ NE¼ NW¼NE¼ Section 12 T.48N R.5W;
Tax ID #31280). The Commission recommends (Caroline moves, Seth seconds) that the Town Board
approve a driveway permit with the following conditions:

● The proposed turnaround tee adjacent to a proposed shop building needs to be raised to a more level
grade.
● The fill areas extending east beyond the edge of a former glacial beach need to have either heavy soil
or geotextile and heavy rock placed to prevent slumping of the fill from spring seeps in the steep
transitional soils (Objective 8.3). ).
● The existing road ditch culvert should be replaced with a 40-foot x 24-inch diameter culvert. Because
Wannebo Road is steep where the driveway enters, a longer culvert is needed to accommodate turning
vehicles without posing a hazard to road traffic.
The marked layout of the driveway provides an adequate tee-turnaround for emergency vehicles, and the
proposed addition gravel will accommodate the roadbed requirements of the Town Driveway Ordinance.

7. Kim explained the site visit report he wrote regarding the additional maintenance required for the closed
Section 29 landfill. The three municipalities responsible for maintaining the landfill are hoping that the
East Bayfield Street road construction project in the City of Washburn will provide in 2027 clay of
sufficient quality to fill areas if subsidence and sanding water on the clay cap. The fill brought in from
the West Bayfield Street road construction filled only part of one swale on the east side to the clay cap.
Most of the fill was placed in a low area on the east side of the landfill.

8. The next meeting will be Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at 7 PM with site visits beforehand.

9. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 P.M. (Caroline moves, Seth seconds).

Draft submitted by: Kenneth Bro, Chair, Town of Washburn Plan Commission (August 12, 2025).

Plan Commission Report
The commission recommends that the Town Board approve the driveway permit for a second residence for
Seth and Angie Vasser. The Commission recommends that the Town Board recommend creating a wider and
more gradually sloped turn in the existing, shared driveway as part of its review of a County Class A Special
Use Permit for constructing a second residence so that emergency vehicles can readily access residences at
the far end of the .

The commission recommends that the Town Board approve the driveway permit for James and Kari Carlson
with the conditions that 1) the turnaround tee be brought to a more level slope and have reinforcement at the
base of the fill, and 2) a 24-inch by 40-foot culvert be placed in the Wannebo Road ditch.