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.