Plan Commission Mtg. Minutes-Sept. 2, 2025

Plan Commission Minutes
Town of Washburn
Town Hall
Tuesday, September 2, 2025

Commission members present: Cyndi Belanger (secretary), Kim Bro (chair), Tim Schwenzfeier (vice chair), Caroline Twombly.
Commission members absent: Seth Vasser (town board representative).
Others present (at first site visit): Joe Groshek & Sandy Sky, Rod Lauren, Brendon & Kylie Marten, Scottie Sandstrom (Town chair),

1. Chairman Bro called the meeting of the Commission to order at 7:37 P.M. and verified its legal notification (posted at Town Hall and Tetzner Dairy) on August 29, 2025 and on Town website on August 31, 2025).
2. The minutes of the August 5, 2025 meeting were approved (Caroline moves, Kim seconds).
3. Prior to the meeting at 6:10 P.M., the commission conducted a site visit at Joe Groshek’s & Sandy Sky’s 5 acre parcel at 30650 Sky Road. An existing, shared driveway is on a former glacial beach, and the owners wish to add fill to extend the driveway on their 24 foot easement across their property line and then reconnect to the existing driveway on their land. Rod Lauren, the contractor for Joe and Sandy said he would add a culvert at the westward bend of the extension. The culvert will drain to the south. He will compact the added fill as it is added. The turnaround tee at the west end of the driveway at the owner’s house will extend onto a parcel owned by Bridget and Forest Mann. The new driveway will be shared with the Mann’s and extends westward to the Mann’s future house and garage. Kim mentioned that Mike Harvey told him that there is a potential for the existing culvert to freeze because it flows at the edge of the fill for the new driveway extension. The key is to assure free flow of runoff from the existing culvert to the proposed new culvert.
4. Prior to the meeting at 6:30 P.M., the commission conducted a site visit at Terry Butler’s 22 acre parcel adjacent to 77515 W. Maple Hill Rd. An existing driveway extends on an easement approximately 1,300 feet west from W. Maple Hill Rd and runs for approximately 270 feet on the owner’s property. The owner proposes extending a driveway from the existing driveway approximately 1,000 feet west and then 600 feet south to a rise in the landscape where the owner placed orange stakes marking a proposed house. Wood stakes marked a future septic drain field west of the proposed driveway approximately 170 feet north of the proposed house. No flagging marked the driveway or the tee turnaround, but there is sufficient clear area for the driveway and a tee proposed near the house. The owner proposes installing drain tile and large rock at a depression between a mapped wetland south of the driveway and wetland soils to the north near where the proposed driveway splits from the shared driveway. The land is sandy soil with fairly good load bearing capacity.
5. Prior to the meeting at 6:50 P.M. the commission conducted a site visit at Kyle and Emily Hall’s 5.6 acre parcel approximately 400 feet east of the driveway to 27650 N. Maple Hill Rd. The owners propose constructing a driveway extending northwest on sand-over-clay soil. The owners had flagged a proposed driveway extending through woodland off of an existing trail. No turnaround tee was marked. There is a fairly steep drop-off from the roadside to the proposed driveway, and much fill would be required to meet the grade requirements of the driveway ordinance. The vegetation in the existing trail indicates that there are seeps in the soil that will require a load-bearing base below a gravel surface.
6. The commission reviewed the driveway permit application for Joe Groshek and Sandy Sky to construct an extension to their property of an existing shared, driveway. The extension reconnects to the existing driveway approximately 230 feet west of the owner’s east property line. The purpose of the extension is to relocate the shared driveway so that it does not cross the property owned by neighbors Brandon and Kailee Marten. The proposed extension should meet the loadbearing, drainage, and turnaround requirements of the driveway ordinance. The commission recommends (Cyndi moves, Caroline seconds, Tim abstains) that the Town Board approve the permit for this extension.
7. The commission reviewed the driveway permit application and preliminary development plan for Terry A. Butler to extend a shared driveway and to construct a residence in a Forestry 1 zoning district on a 22 acre parcel extending beyond 77515 W Maple Hill Rd. (~W½ NW¼SE¼ Section 29 T.49N R.5W; Tax ID #31101 + #31085). The Commission recommends ((Cyndi moves, Tim seconds) that the Town Board approve the driveway permit. The proposed drain tile and large rock in the depression and the sandy soils will assure good drainage, and the clear areas and grades provide adequate space for a driveway to meet the ordinance requirements. The property is set back a long distance from the Town road.

8. The commission reviewed the driveway permit application Kyle & Emily Hall to construct a driveway on their 5.6 acre parcel ~400’ east of the driveway for 27650 N Maple Hill Rd (E½SE¼ SW¼SE¼ Section 21 T.49N R.5W; Tax ID #37884). The Commission recommends (Cyndi moves, Caroline seconds) that the Town Board approve a driveway permit with the following conditions (Driveway Ordinance S.4):
● Fill to the right-of-way such that the grade is no greater than 2%.
●Fill to the turnaround such that the grade is no greater than 10%.
●Install an 18-inch culvert under the driveway approximately 90 feet from the Righ-of-way.
●Construct a turnaround with a turning radius of at least 25 feet west of the culvert.
The woodland between the turnaround and the road retains the rural character of the area (Objective 8.5)

9. Kim reported that the City of Washburn and the Town of Bayview provided additional fill soil to fill almost all the areas of subsidence on the east third of the closed landfill cap. The area has been graded and seeded. The plan for the smaller areas of subsidence on the west two-thirds of the landfill cap is to require that clean soil from the East Bayfield Street construction project in 2027 be delivered to the landfill and spread over the areas of subsidence and reseeded. That likely will be more than enough clean soil., which can be stored at the property off of the clay cap.

10. Kim reported that the Bayfield County Planning and Zoning Committee does not want the new zoning ordinance to provide minimum lot sizes for Agriculture 1 and Forestry 1 districts any large than 4.5 acres. The Committee has not embraced the idea of creating districts consistent with the Wisconsin Farmland Preservation Zoning Law. There will need to be stronger advocacy by towns to bring about these recommendations from the Town Comprehensive Plan.

11. The next meeting will be Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 7 PMand will focus on making town roads safe for pedestrians and bicycles.
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12. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 P.M. (Cyndi moves, Tim seconds).

Draft submitted by: Kenneth Bro, Chair, Town of Washburn Plan Commission (September 9, 2025).
Approved October 7 2025.
‘
Plan Commission Report

The commission recommends that the Town Board approve the driveway permits for Joe Groshek and Sandy Sky, for Terry A. Butler, and for Emily and Kyle Hall with the conditions recommended above.

Posted in 2025 Minutes, Planning Commision, Minutes

Plan Commission Mtg. Minutes-Oct. 7, 2025

Plan Commission Minutes
Town of Washburn
Town Hall
Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Commission members present: Cyndi Belanger (secretary), Kim Bro (chair), Tim Schwenzfeier (vice chair), Caroline Twombly.
Commission members absent: Seth Vasser (town board representative).
Others present (at first site visit): Mike Harvey (Town Road Superintendent).

1. Chairman Bro called the meeting of the Commission to order at 6:20 P.M. and verified its legal notification (posted at Town Hall and Tetzner Dairy) on October 3, 2025 and on Town website on October 4, 2025).
2. The minutes of the September 2, 2025 meeting were approved (Tim moves, Cyndi seconds).
3. Prior to the meeting at 6:00 P.M., the commission conducted a site visit for a proposed driveway at Norman and Susan Cessna’s 15 acre parcel on McKinley Road approximately 150 feet south of the intersection with Scholl Road. The applicants had flagged a driveway through a woodland extending approximately 100 feet east and with a tee at the end extending 48 feet north and 48 feet south. The site is relatively level clay soil with no nearby ravines. The applicants propose a 24-inch by 40-foot culvert in the road ditch and a 6-inch gravel base for the driveway.
4. The commission reviewed the driveway permit application for Norman & Susan Cessna to construct a driveway on their 15 acre parcel on McKinley Rd (N½NW¼ SW¼ Section 36 T.49N R.5W; Tax ID #39324). The Commission recommends (Caroline moves, Tim seconds) that the Town Board approve the driveway permit. The proposed driveway meets the roadbed, drainage, visibility, and turnaround requirements of the driveway ordinance, and is located in a area that accommodates the erodibility of the clay soils (pp.7-4 of plan). The development retains the natural wooded character of McKinley Road (Objective 8.4).

5. The Commission reviewed Caroline’s proposal for “Share the Road” signage and Kim’s example of a caution sign for pedestrian and bicycle safety. With Mike Harvey’s advice, the Commission recommends (Cyndi moves, Caroline seconds) that the Town Board install six “Share the Road” signs (30”x30” diamond with 18”x24” text below) after each of the proposed 45 mph speed limit signs to be installed at Ondossagon, Wannebo, Church Corner, McKinley, and South Maple Hill roads (see map), and that pedestrian and bicycle caution sign be attached to every ATV/Snowmobile route sign (see illustration). Mike mentioned the cost of mowing around signs and noted that South Maple Hill Road and West Maple Hill Road are not ATV/Snowmobile routes. Because not all Town roads are ATV/Snowmobile routes, the Town cannot post signs at entrances to the town saying all roads are such routes. If the Town can develop a system to reduce the number of route signs, the number of pedestrian/bike caution signs needed could also be reduced. The Commission’s recommendation is simply that all posted route signs should also have the pedestrian/bike caution sign. The Commission discussed several ways to provide public education about the Town’s goal of making Town Roads safe for pedestrians and bicycles. In addition to adding a message to the Town website and Facebook page, we could submit an article to the Ashland Daily Press and add posts to Chamber of Commerce pages. We might work with the Superior Vistas program to raise funds for signs next year.

6. Kim reported that the Bayfield County Planning and Zoning Committee sent the Town a questionnaire regarding minimum parcel sizes for agricultural, forestry, and rural residential districts. Commission members noted the Town Comprehensive Plan objective to retain large parcels of forested and agricultural lands (Obj 8.1), to consolidate smaller rural residential parcels near existing, paved roads (Obj 8.2), and to promote Farmland Preservation Zoning to cluster new residential development in conjunction with preserving large parcels of agricultural and forested lands (pp.8 13).

7. The next meeting will be Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at 7 PM if there is business to conduct. If a site visit is required, the meeting will be Sunday, November 2 in the afternoon outdoors after the site visit.
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8. The meeting adjourned at 7:42 P.M. (Cyndi moves, Tim seconds).

Draft submitted by: Kenneth Bro, Chair, Town of Washburn Plan Commission (October 14, 2025).
Approved November 2, 2025.

Plan Commission Report

The Commission recommends that the Town Board approve the driveway permits for Norman and Susan Cessna as proposed in their application. The Commission recommends that the Town Board post signs for pedestrian and bicycle safety in conjunction with posting the 45 mph signs as adopted at the 2025 Town Annual Meeting.

Posted in 2025 Minutes, Planning Commision, Minutes

Plan Commission Mtg. Minutes – Nov. 2, 2025

Plan Commission Minutes
Town of Washburn
Outdoors at 74785 Ondossagon Road
Sunday, November 2, 2025

Commission members present: Cyndi Belanger (secretary), Kim Bro (chair), Tim Schwenzfeier (vice chair), Caroline Twombly.
Commission members absent: Seth Vasser (town board representative).
Others present (at first site visit): Eric Serrine.

1. Chairman Bro called the meeting of the Commission to order at 4:06 P.M. and verified its legal notification (posted at Town Hall, Tetzner Dairy and Town website) on October 31, 2025.
2. The minutes of the October 7, 2025 meeting were approved (Tim moves, Caroline seconds).
3. Just prior to the meeting, the commission conducted a site visit for a proposed driveway extension at Eric and Brittany Serrine’s 40 acre parcel at 74785 Ondossagon Road. An initial gravel base of the driveway was put in place, and a 1-acre clearing 330 feet west of Ondossagon Road was created in the southeast quarter when the applicants harvested timber in 2022. A new driveway permit is required because the applicants are filing a county land use permit to build a house. The Commission conducted a site visit to assure that the proposed driveway will accommodate emergency vehicle access to proposed buildings on the property. The applicants already had placed a 12’x24’ shed on the property and were building 24’x40’ pole building. They marked the proposed house with stakes. The outline of the driveway was not flagged, but the base of the logging truck road was visible. The entire forest parcel is on clay soils and a mapped wetland occupies approximately half of the property in the center of the parcel. The wetland drains to Thompson Creek a Class 1 trout stream. All of the driveway and buildings are several feet south of the wetland and the landscape drains toward the wetland. The applicants will use the existing logging road during construction and will add the required gravel base before occupying the house. They may put in a sand base for a concrete slab for the house this fall.
4. The commission reviewed the driveway permit application for Eric & Brittany Sirrine to construct a residence on their 40-acre parcel in a Forestry 1 zoning district (NE¼NE¼ Section 10 T.48N R.5W; Tax ID#: 30709). The Commission recommends (Cyndi moves, Caroline seconds, Tim abstains) that the Town Board approve the driveway permit. The proposed driveway meets the roadbed, drainage, visibility, and turnaround requirements of the driveway ordinance, and is located in an area that accommodates the erodibility of the clay soils (pp.7-4 of plan). The development retains the natural wooded character of the area (Objective 8.4). The applicants’ sketch does not show the required 48-foot tee turnaround, but there is an existing base extending from the pole building toward the existing shed. They do not plan to construct a driveway in the 50-foot area between the shed and the proposed house. The Commission recommends that a 6-inch base of gravel be added to the drive when home construction is completed.
5. Tim said that the County’s Building Inspector recommends that the Town issue an official driveway permit to applicants after a driveway permit is approved. Doing so would be consistent with the approach of other towns and the County after a permit is approved. Kim will mention this to the Town Board.
6. The next meeting will be Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at 7 PM if there is business to conduct. If a site visit is required, the meeting will be Sunday, November 2 in the afternoon outdoors after the site visit.
7. The meeting adjourned at 4:20 P.M. (Tim moves, Cyndi seconds).

Draft submitted by: Kenneth Bro, Chair, Town of Washburn Plan Commission (November 11, 2025).
Approved May 5, 2026.

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Plan Commission Report

The Commission recommends that the Town Board approve the driveway permit for Eric & Brittany Sirrine provided that a 6-inch gravel base is added when home construction is completed. The Commission proposes creating a driveway permit to be issued to applicants when an application is approved.

Posted in 2025 Minutes, Planning Commision, Minutes

State of Wisconsin Town of Washburn Board Meeting Minutes 11-11-25

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. 14th Closed Session Meeting, Town Boad Meeting, Oct. 14, Closed Session Meeting, Oct. 22nd, Oct. 22 Budget Session Meeting and Special Closed Session Meeting, Nov. 10th.  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.
  • 4th 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.

Posted in 2025 Minutes

Special Town Meeting November. 10th, 2025

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

 

 

Posted in 2025 Minutes

Special October 22, 2025 Town Budget Mtg.

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
  1. 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 16th 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

 

Posted in 2025 Minutes

October 22, 2025 Closed Session Minutes

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

Posted in 2025 Minutes

Town Board minutes-Oct. 14, 2025

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 30th 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 22nd 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

Posted in 2025 Minutes

October 14 Closed Session Minutes 11-06-2025

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

Posted in 2025 Minutes