Town of Washburn

Bayfield County

Town Meeting Minutes

April 8, 2025

Attendance: Sandy Raspotnik, Scottie Sandstrom, Jim Park, Lynn Adams, Lance Twombly, Mike Harvey, Kim Bro, Seth Vasser, Jim Miller, and Mike Sherry. Virtually: Wendy Stein, Mike Vavrus, Brenda Rechel, Ron Rechel, and Steve Bade.

At 7:00 pm, the town meeting was called to order.

Meeting notices were posted in the two public places, and on the website.

Public comments:

• Steve Bade thanked the current board for their service and wished the best of luck to the new board.
• Scottie Sandstrom commented on Earth Day event at Presbyterian Congregational Church in Ashland on Saturday, April 26^th and how the town should have a similar event in two years after the solar project at the Town Hall and Garage has been completed.
• Sandy Raspotnik wished Scottie and Seth well for the next two years.

A motion to accept the agenda by Supervisor Park and seconded by Supervisor Sandstrom. All Ayes, motion carried.

Scottie Sandstrom made a motion to approve the March minutes. Jim seconded. All Ayes, motion carried.

Reports:

• Clerk report: 2025 Spring Election had 349 voters, 71 of which were Absentee. Good turnout. For town offices:
  • Chairperson: Scottie Sandstrom, 168. Sandy Raspotnik, 164
  • Supervisor1: Matthew Tetzner, 201. Supervisor2: Seth Vasser, 156. Alan Waite, 129, and Melissa Amrein, 102.
  • Treasurer: Christina Eliason, 286
  • Clerk, registered write-in: Francine Rechcygl, 29.
  • All sworn-in.
• Continuing: Form CT submitted today, will see if DOR accepts it. Should the current Chart of Accounts be changed to better match this form? Also, creating generic Project 1-3 accounts may not work depending on what they are and where they are in Chart of Accounts. Clerk asked about WI Towns Association roster form and dues due in June. Current clerk will fill out form and pay dues. Open Book will be on Friday, May 2^nd from 1-3pm at Town Hall and Board of Review will be on Monday, May 12^th from 6-8pm. Scottie, Matt, and Seth are registered in DOR for taking required BOR training on April 5^th. The affidavit is in the Assessment Book. Business Card is in current clerk’s name so it will have to be transferred over to new clerk and card number will have to be changed where it is currently on file. State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) reporting will be done tomorrow after a webinar. SAM.gov needs to be updated with new Chair and clerk.
• Treasurer report: Newsletter out. Need a volunteer for the next one. Meeting new treasurer on Friday after the Annual Meeting. PO Box key transfer, both parties must be in-person to sign. New Chair, treasurer, and clerk need to be added to bank accounts and remove current members. Financial reports sent out. $5 difference for Dog Licenses, still need to deposit. Scottie suggested a change to Budget format, and Jim stated that additional changes may be needed to see what works for new board.
• Road Crew report: Mike stated recent snowplowing resulted in a little gravel being pushed off road. Most culverts cleared. One still a problem on Lucia Rd. freezing up. Mike suggested re-ditching (and re-using as fill later) and replacing. Also, Church Corner N. needs a culvert replaced too. Motion to order two culverts (40×16 and 46×18) made by Scottie Sandstrom, seconded by Jim Park. All Ayes, motion carried. Mike continued about rut problems and fixing with cold mix from Northwoods Paving at $90/ton. $15,000 (6 loads) should do it. He also loves the new loader tires and hasn’t sold the old ones yet. Will drop price to $500/tire.
• Chair report: Thanked Scottie for work on Engoe Rd bid and working with Barksdale.
• Motion to approve reports made by Park and seconded by Sandstrom. All Ayes, motion carried.

Plan Commission/County Zoning request: Kim Bro had two things to present. Driveway permit for Bridget and Forest Mann. Site visit last night. Some mitigation required to address seeps and spongy areas. Recommend approval with these measures. No fee since it is a shared driveway with an existing culvert. Motion to approve driveway permit for Bridget and Forest Mann made by Sandstrom, seconded by Park. All Ayes, motion carried. Next, Kim gave estimates from Copy That and Heart Graphics on printing the Comprehensive Plan, depending on how many copies. Motion to order 25 copies of the Comprehensive Plan made by Supervisor Park and seconded by Supervisor Sandstrom. All Ayes, motion carried. Regarding County Zoning, Kim prepared a memo suggesting residents come to town first for permits, creating cluster lots on large plots to prevent dividing up, and a clear element addressing no development on or near steep slopes. Kim asked if he should send it in or if the board wanted to. Board stated that Kim could send it in.

Insurance Review: Mike Sherry, from Holden Insurance, presented and explained the new insurance policy. Town decided to increase coverage on contents in the garage building.

Sand Sifter: Motion to purchase sand sifter for $6,800.00 made by Scottie, seconded by Jim. All Ayes, motion carried.

Speed Limit on Church Corner Road: Motion to rescind 45 mph speed limit placed on Church Corner Road in the 1990s made by Jim Park, seconded by Scottie Sandstrom. All Ayes, motion passed.

Permission for Norvado work: Motion that clerk fill out consent form and send to contractor made by Sandstrom, seconded by Park. All Ayes, motion carried.

Annual Meeting: Treasurer will print 25 copies of last year’s budget. Plan Commission Chair will give brief presentation about Comprehensive Plan.

Items to be placed on future agendas: Discuss board payment timeframes, Engoe Road bids, parameters for posting on website and Facebook, who will take over Newsletter, and reorganization.

Authorize the payment of bills: Motion to authorize payment of bills from March 12^th through April 8^th made by Jim Park and seconded by Scottie Sandstrom. All Ayes, motion carried.

Annual Meeting is next Tuesday.

At 8:55 pm, a motion to adjourn was made by Supervisor Park and seconded by Supervisor Sandstrom. All Ayes, motion carried. Meeting adjourned.

Lance Twombly, Clerk