TOWN OF WASHBURN

06/10/2025 Meeting Minutes

Meeting was called to order by Chair Scottie Sandstrom at 7:00PM.

Attendees were Scottie Sandstrom, Seth Vasser, Matt Tetzner, Christina Eliason, Fran Rechcygl, Jim Park, Trevor & Nori Schwenzfeier, Matt Lippo, Tom & Connie Cogger, Wendy Stein, Deputy Jonathan Kroll  – Mike Harvey absent from meeting due to a death in the family.

Chair requested that all stand to say the Pledge of Allegiance.

Motion to accept the 6/10/2025 agenda was made by Matt Tetzner and seconded by Seth Vasser.  All ayes.

Motion to accept 5/13/2025 minutes was made by Seth Vassar and seconded by Matt Tetzner. All ayes.

Chair opened the meeting to the public comment:

Tom Cogger had questions regarding stop signs and requested an update on the replacement of them.  Scottie Sandstrom said the top half of signs is chipped off by the birds and that Mike Harvey had ordered a sheet metal bender to create a ‘sign canopy’ to prevent the birds from doing this.  Matt Lippo said that they had completed an inventory of damaged signs.  A solution should be available by the July 2025 meeting.

Deputy Kroll was expected to speak at this point but he had not yet appeared at the meeting due to other meetings.

Clerk Notes:  All new board members now entered into QuickBooks as well as reporting them to the state; QuickBooks does NOT have quarterly P/R options.  As all board members are now paid quarterly, this could become a bookkeeping problem.  All bills have been paid in full with the exception of the Engoe Rd project and are included on the activity list.  Chair will begin paperwork for reimbursement on Engoe Rd.  It was discovered that we are paying $300+/- per month during the summer for grass cutting around the town hall.

Garage Notes:  Engoe shoulder completed, fixed Larson’s driveway, brush-raked Nat’l Forrest Rd so that Mike can grade it.  Cutting of ditches was done along with some shop maintenance.  There is a trailer on Rustic Rd owned by Tom Cogger that he has agreed to move.  Some culverts have been completed and they’re slated to bring 2 big ones in on Church Corner Rd, along with ditching to control road runoff.

Planning Commission:  No activity.

Treasurer Notes:  We should have enough funds to operate through August 2025.  Snow plowing invoices went out.  It was suggested that we waive a $70.00 plow fee for the St Germain property.  She does not recollect calling for a plow and we have no proof that the plowing was done. It was also suggested that a better way to keep track of those services requests be developed.  This can be discussed with Mike Harvey at the next meeting. There are two savings accounts and 1 checking.  Suggests we should condense savings into one account and a checking account.  Will be addressed in the near future.

Mike Harvey phoned into the meeting.  Sheet metal bender not ordered yet, but will be shortly.  He will be getting cost on replacement stop signs along with some other state forest signs.  He’s got the Fahrner bid for crack sealing in his office.  Scottie will send Matt over to get it.

Sheriff’s Deputy, Jonathan Kroll, entered the meeting late. He introduced himself, and let us know that he is the liaison with the Town of Washburn, and that if there are any concerns or needs that we can contact him.

Chair Notes:  There will be an informational retreat on Wednesday, July16 with with Wisconsin Towns Assoc representative, Dale Houdek.  The meeting will be held at the town hall and will be considered a public meeting, so the agenda must be posted.  Solar update should be provided by July meeting.  Maple Hill landfill was visited.  A plan should be made to repair this as well as keep it mowed.  Road tour to be held 6/13/25.  Met with Delmore Consulting.  Should we use their services to help rate our roads.  Invited to virtual July meeting.

Motion to approve reports:  Seth Vasser motioned, Matt Tetzner seconded, all aye.

Discussion about records retention.  Bremer Bank to shred?  Ask for volunteers to go through existing records to review for destruction.

Open bids for Crack sealing:

1 – Fahrner Asphalt, Eau Claire, WI               $58,632.00

2 – Seal-Tech, Cambridge, MN                      $37,400.00

Motion to approve Seal-Tech bid was made by Seth Vasser and seconded by Matt Tetzner.  All aye.  Seal-Tech was awarded the bid.

Striping – .08/foot x 4 lines = .32/foot – amounts to approximately $15,300.  This would be for the new Wannebo Rd, the 251 west of Pajala past Long Lake, Ondossagon Rd from Wannebo Rd to Engoe Rd, Church Corner from C to Wannebo Rd, and Engoe Rd in conjuction with Barksdale.  They do ½ and we do ½.  No need to bid out.  Washburn County will do the striping.

Motion to accept striping made by Matt Tetzner, seconded by Seth Vasser.  All ayes.

Review of website and Facebook posting policies.  Jim Park to add Dog Tags, Snow Plowing.  He asked for $50.00 for doing same.

Motion to move to Open Floor made by Seth Vasser, seconded by Matt Tetzner.  All ayes.

Trevor & Nori Schengfrier created a Dust Mitigation Ordinance and brought it before the board.  It was decided that the dust issue on Hove Ln be resolved sooner than later and that resolution would be made by the July 8, 2025 meeting

Motion to move out of Open Floor made by Seth Vasser, seconded by Matt Tetzner.  All ayes.

Seth Vasser recommended an efficiency review of all buildings go on July agenda.  A pest control discussion should be tabled until Mike Harvey returns next month.

Mowing needs to be addressed for the landfill.  Buzz Raspotnik will do the job for $400.00.  Motion made by Seth Vasser, seconded by Matt Tetzner.  All ayes.

Cristine requested that we move the dust ordinance after the reports at the July meeting.

Motion to pay transactions made by Matt Tetzner, seconded by Seth Vasser.  All aye.

Motion to dismiss made by Seth Vasser at 9:05PM, seconded by Matt Tetzner.  All ayes.

Respectfully Submitted by

Fran Rechcygl, Clerk – Town of Washburn