Town of Washburn Board Minutes 10/15/2024

Present: Sandy Raspotnik, Scottie Sandstrom, Mike Harvey, Lynn Adams, Matt Lippo
Virtual: Jim Park
Absent: Lance Twombly

Public: Nori Schwenzfeier, Tim Schwenzfeier, Kim Bro, Blaze Sopiwnik, Wendy Stein

Call to Order by Sandy Raspotnik at 7 pm. at Town Hall

Verification of proper public notice at Town Hall, Tetzners Dairy, Newspaper and Website

Public Comment: Nori S. and Tim S. spoke about Hove Lane, discussed issues. They are hoping that a plan is made for next summer about the dust caused by trucking from the sand pit on Hove Lane.. Going forward we need a dust mitigation plan in the future.

Acceptance of Agenda: Scottie moved to accept agenda, Jim Seconded. Approved.

Approve Minutes from previous meeting. Discussion was in minutes about truck weights. No enforcement. Scottie made motion to approve minutes, Jim seconded. Approved.

Reports

Clerk: Sandy read the report from Lance. Lynn Divine is doing some of his duties in his absense. Lynn A., Lance, Sandy met and discussed how we can improve on the budget. Mark Ahlers came and gave advice on a plan. Cost was $50. Mary Beth Tillman: Clerk of Town of Bell could be hired to help at $50/hour if needed in quickbooks. Chair report was also given. Sandy is developing a month/task work plan to assist future board members. Jim made motion to approve the Clerk and Chair report. Approved.

Treasurer: Reports, budget, snowplowing and dog reports were tasks that Lynn has been working on. Scottie moved to approve the financial reports Jim seconded, motion passed.

Road Crew: Matt and Mike both gave reports. They have been busy preparing for winter. Mike also Mike reported that he needs a tank of oil. Cost about $2500. No decision made on getting all of it this year. Discussed coal mix and seal tech (crack seal). Routine road maintenance has been worked on. Emmer Sheilds has been working on culvert recording. Scottie moved and Jim seconded to approve the report.

Plan Commission: Kim Bro gave report. Notice was in the flyer that went out with snowplowing letter of how township members can get involved on this committee. Discussed the comprehensive plan (county and township) $13,227.92 cost to Northwest Planning Commission, mostly labor that was almost double what was initially quoted. The board discussed paying the first $5000 this year and rest next year. The cost is way more than their low estimate of $5000. Scottie made a motion to move forward with this $13227.92 contract. Jim seconded it. Motion passed. Kim had the contract and it was signed by Sandy and Scottie witnessed. Discussion was had on how the land fill project is going.

Town authority regarding ordinances and other statutes: Jim reported we had request for the Town to take action on an issue. Information is on the website so people can see how it can be inforced.

Dust abatement-chemicals, equipment, ordinance/policy: Mike Harvey reported that he has researched different products to be used for dust abatement on Hove Lane. CaCl₂ plusses and minuses. (Not favorable since it will wreck a road). It would cost $60,000 to regravel a mile of road if road is destroyed. Doesn’t work with a lot of traffic. Another idea is Soy Bean oil sprayed on road. Is expensive and needs to be applied repeatedly. Chip seal was discussed. $30,000/mile Beet juice was discusssed (a natural salt) longer lasting and would need to be repeated multiple times. It comes in 275 gallon totes. 3 to 4 totes needed. Costs $1650 to do a mile. Would need to get a sprayer if beet juice was applied. $9200 (can mount on back of the truck). Scottie talked about that we need to make sure that what we do will work. Scottie made a motion to open the floor to get input from folks that are here. Jim seconded. Motion passed. More discussion was had on using beet juice and how many times it would it need be repeated. Scottie wants to make sure that when they are done the road gets fixed. Scottie made a motion to close the floor and Jim seconded. Motion passed. The discussion will continue at the next board meeting.

Confidential and/or open record policy. Discussion occurred.

Development of Policy book: Sandy said the board should start thinking of a policy book in a 3 ring binder. Right now many of the policies are on the web but a policy book would be good for our township moving forward.

Budget for 2025 will be worked on at 1:30 pm. Oct. 23^rd at the town hall.

Items to be placed on future agendas: Computer, policy/procedures, dust abatement.

Authorize the payment of bills- Motion to approve checks 15502 through 15525. Scottie approved and Jim seconded. Motion passed.

Adjournment 9:15 pm.

Submitted by
Lynn Adams, Treasurer in Lance’s absence