Town of Washburn

Bayfield County

Town Meeting Minutes

March 11, 2025

Attendance: Sandy Raspotnik, Scottie Sandstrom, Jim Park, Lynn Adams, Lance Twombly, Mike Harvey, Matt Lippo, Kim Bro, Mike Vavrus, Seth Vasser, Matt Tetzner, and Deputy Sheriff Jon Kroll. Virtually: Wendy Stein, Alan Waite, Brenda Rechel, Ron Rechel, and Melissa Amrein.

At 7:04 pm, after some technical difficulties and a brief introduction by Deputy Kroll, the town meeting was called to order.

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

Public comments:

• No comments.

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 February minutes. Jim seconded. All Ayes, motion carried.

Reports:

• Clerk report: Levy Limit Worksheet Audit was approved by WI DOR. Renew Treasurer Bond with Horton, Holden, or let it expire? Chair stated to renew with Holden Insurance. Employee W2 corrected. Clerk asked to recognize employee with a day off for dealing with error and pointing out another. Motion that Matt Lippo be granted 8 hours of PTO made by Supervisor Park, seconded by Supervisor Sandstrom. All Ayes, motion carried. 2025 Spring Primary, February 18^th, had 126 voters. 2025 Spring Election, on Tuesday, April 1^st, has 53 Absentee Ballots sent out so far. In-person voting begins March 18^th and ends March 30^th. Town of Washburn Clerk position is the only vacant office in Bayfield Co. Clerk reminded all contestants on ballot to not linger at polling place while polls are open. Chief Inspector training on Sep. 8^th and 10^th, five town election officials will attend. Clerk has WI Town Law Forms book for templates. Clerk will attend training on how to fill out Form C/CT on March 17^th for $20 fee. Rural Insurance told town to ignore any Brightspeed Claim emails/letter until there is a lawsuit, which they will handle. Norvado Build-out contractor sent an email for permit approval, but there are two more (large files). Road Superintendent had a question about moving lines in future, would Norvado be liable? Clerk will get the other two emails and go from there. Board still supports the project. The Clerk would like to pay Board 2 or 3 times a year and the Plan Commission twice a year to keep Quickbooks monthly employee fee down. Sandstrom suggested waiting and asking the incoming new Board. Open Book will be Friday, May 2^nd from 1-3pm at Town Hall and Board of Review will be on Monday, May 12^th from 6-8pm. There will be at least one Board member with required training in April.
• Treasurer report: Paperwork sent (Financial reports). Reconciliation came out right. Taxes collected done for Treasurer, rest will go to County in July. Town will have them in August. Budget will have current month and year-to-date. Scottie had a question about Budget document location on website. Jim will look into moving it or making it easier to find.
• Road Crew report: Matt stated they are very busy. Issues with plow on 2015 truck were fixed, as well as the air tanks. New Loader tires make it a new machine, much safer. Matt thanked the board for approving the purchase. Plowing, sanding, road checks, shop work and steaming culverts. Hip boots ordered. Mowing should go better this summer after removing rocks. PTO: March 16^th-25^th. Mike requested to sell old loader tires for $700/tire. Still good pit tires. Motion for Mike to sell tires for best price made by Jim Park, seconded by Scottie Sandstrom. All Ayes, motion carried. Mike had a question about plowing priority since three driveways did not get plowed because town hall had to be plowed out. Board set priority (as stated in policy) as roads, town hall, and driveways. The aggressive road maintenance has helped. Issue with Andrus Road driveway and ditch. 90 tons of salt ordered. Mike would like to purchase a screener or make one. Board told him to look into it more. Scottie mentioned the WTA training for Chair, Supervisor, and Road Crew in Wisconsin Dells.
• Chair report: City of Washburn applied for a new EMS Initiative Planning Grant. Locksmith from Hayward will open the town’s safe on Friday, March 14^th for $400.
• Motion to approve reports made by Sandstrom and seconded by Park. All Ayes, motion carried.

Introduce Deputy Jonathon Kroll: Deputy Sheriff Jon Kroll, liaison officer for Town of Washburn, had to respond to a call in Red Cliff at the beginning of the meeting. So, he quickly introduced himself, stated there are now liaison officers for each town, and gave his phone number. He hopes to be back at another town meeting.

Plan Commission/Adoption of revised Comprehensive Plan: Chair Raspotnik thanked Plan Commission. Motion to adopt the updated Comprehensive Plan made by Park, seconded by Sandstrom. All Ayes, motion carried. Ordinance signed by Chairperson and Clerk. Motion to appoint Caroline Twombly and Cindy Belanger to Plan Commission made by Supervisor Sandstrom and seconded by Supervisor Park. All Ayes, motion carried.

Town Purchasing Resolution: Supervisor Sandstrom presented a revised copy. Motion to approve updated purchasing policy made by Supervisor Park, seconded by Sandstrom. All Ayes, motion carried.

Discussion of Planned Summer Work: Wedging blacktop roads. Remove ruts, cold mix. Practice on McKinley, then Church Corner, and Nevers (work on hill too). Church Corner North needs gravel. Do this at time of planned culvert work. Gasperini also needs gravel work. Crack sealing and striping, prioritize better roads first. Engoe Road bid needs to go out soon. Scottie stated Emmer Shields has templates.

Annual Newsletter/Meeting: Current letter is long, seven pages, usually four. For the April 15^th Annual meeting, town board will do a quick overview and then open to the town residents.

Items to be placed on future agendas: Plan Commission, Holden Insurance-Mike Sherry, Road Work, Engoe Bid and list of equipment spreadsheet.

 

Authorize the payment of bills: Motion to authorize payment of bills from February 12^th through March 11^th made by Jim Park and seconded by Scottie Sandstrom. All Ayes, motion carried.

At 9 pm, a motion to adjourn was made by Supervisor Sandstrom and seconded by Supervisor Park. All Ayes, motion carried. Meeting adjourned.

Lance Twombly, Clerk