Town of Washburn
Town Board Meeting Notes
October 14, 2025

Meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m.

Those present were: Scottie Sandstrom, Cyndee Marx, Christina Eliason, Seth Vasser, Mike Harvey, Matt Tetzner, John Carlson, Tim Schwenzfeier, Trevor and Nori Schwenzfeier, Bob Anderson, Dale Rechcygl, Sarah Tetzner.

Those attending remotely were Jim Park.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Scottie noted the passing of Town Clerk, Fran Rechcygl, and she was recognized with appreciation for her service to the Town of Washburn during this current term.

A motion was made by Seth to accept the agenda.  Matt seconded, all yea.  Motion passed.

Seth motioned and Matt seconded to approve the minutes from the Sept. 9, 16, and 30^th meetings.  All ayes, motion approved.

Cyndee Marx was introduced as a new appointment for the Town Clerk position.  A motion by Scottie was made to appoint Cyndee as the new Town Clerk.  Matt seconded to approve.  All ayes. Motion passed.  There was discussion about the need to give Cyndee the Oath of Office.  Cyndee will talk to Lynn Divine (County Clerk) on necessary form to use and sign.

Plan Commission Report:

A driveway permit was recommended by the commission for Norman and Susan Cessna on McKinley Road.  A motion was made by Scottie and seconded by Matt to approve this permit.  All ayes.  Approved.

There was discussion on signage to make the roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists and where to put them.  A review of annual meeting minutes was suggested to see how many signs are needed.  Mike Harvey will check.

There was discussion on the county zoning re-write.  It was suggested that Kim Bro respond to a survey on the Board’s behalf by October 31.

There was discussion on a Dust Ordinance and application of calcium chloride to the roads and how to monitor it.  John Carlson talked about enforcement and there was discussion on ways that could be done, how the dust would be measured, what’s an acceptable level and who would be the enforcer.  It should be spelled out in a citation ordinance.  A motion was made by Matt to pass the Dust Ordinance reviewed by Mr. Carlson, and was seconded by Seth.  All ayes.  Motion approved.  John Carlson will check and see if bonding could be a possible option, as well.

The public notice of the ordinance will be completed by Kim Bro; the Town will then post the notice and Ordinance on the Town Website.

Reports

Clerk: Town Treasurer is currently handling the clerk’s duties

Treasurer:

• Plow letters have been sent out.
• Bank will transfer from Bremer to Old National
• Treasurer will do payroll until the first one in November.
• Payroll issue with Matt is resolved.
• Bills were given to board to review and sign.
• Essentia Health will no longer be doing DOT drug tests. Need to find a new location.  Can North Lakes do it?
• Pay adjustment will be given to Treasurer for added Clerk duties prorated from Sept. 9 – Oct. 14 plus a fixed amount of $300 for additional support. Cyndee will be paid from Oct. 15 – Dec. 9.

Road Crew:

A motion was made by Scottie to have Bob Anderson assist with maintenance.  It was seconded by Seth.  All Ayes.  Motion passed.

Mike said the mower tractor lost its brakes.  It will be between $5,500 and $6,500 to fix this winter.  Sipsas Excavating will be providing the best tonnage for the $9,000 Rock product secured via contract with the Forest Service in a previous board meeting.  The grader broke down and was fixed.  Mike talked about a water spreader – he will follow up next month.  Scottie, Bob Anderson (who was previously approved by the board as our Town Maintenance/Road advisor, and Mike met to work on budgeting and maintenance equipment.  Bob and Mike will get budget numbers and work on a maintenance schedule.

Chair

Scottie noted appreciation that Cyndee Marx was willing to be appointed as Town Clerk for the remainder of the term.

Scottie noted what we need to budget for the Solar Grant next year, in the amount of $25,556.05.  Was contacted by the County on this, and plans for construction on this will begin in the spring, potentially to be completed by late June, so we can put in reimbursement of total amount from Federal Government per the contract.

Scottie initiated discussion on providing a cell phone to the Town Clerk, which will be passed on to future clerks.  The discussion moved to a motion by Seth for the Town Clerk to get a cell phone.  It was seconded by Matt.  All ayes.  Motion approved.  Cyndee will check into it.

There are some Town building permits still in transition since the Board approved to have the County handle the building permit process about 2 years ago, cancelling us using the firm, Alden Engineering.  The Town will be responsible for payment of the final portion of those building permit fees, and suggestion is we explore whether the Town has any recourse on getting funds from Alden, though this may be too legally time intensive & expensive.  Jim Park (remotely) previous Town Supervisor, provided some insight on this during the discussion.  We’ll get some insight from Bayfield County on this matter.  Seth offered to look into this.

Matt motioned to approve all reports.  Seth seconded.  All ayes.  Motion approved.

Budgeting session – set for Wed., Oct 22^nd at 9 am.  Scottie will make sure we know the 2026 levy before budgeting.

Fire Contract Review – The Sept. 30 Contract meeting was not productive overall, as the City of Washburn did not have updated numbers for 2026 as expected.  Scottie pressed the city to have our Fire and EMS fees and yearly fire truck payment by Oct. 21, just prior to our budgeting, and he will follow up on this.  Randy Friday, the City of Washburn Administrator just recently resigned.

Tri-Road Funding Result – On October 9, Scottie met with the county road funding committee (CTRIC) along with several other town chairs within the county.  He was able to secure $35,000 in State Road Grant Funding for the Engoe Road (intersection of Viater Road, west to Brevak Road) double chip-seal overlay, which ties to the Town Board’s first priority in the 2025-2030 Road Plan, previously agreed upon.  Sandstrom suggests that we do this project next year (2026), as the total per the estimate now is $70,000.  Once the project is complete, the Town will request receiving the $35,000 grant money to offset the cost to the Town at 50%.  Matt made a motion and Seth seconded to proceed with the project next year.  All ayes, motion carried.

Potential LRIP Application w/amendment to 2025-2030 5-year road plan.  Discussion centered around that Bob Anderson will be willing to prepare the LRIP Application for 2 miles of Wannebo Road (Church Corner/Wannebo intersection west to Pajala Road).  This road is second in priority on the Town Road Plan to amend for 2025-2030.   Seth moved and Matt seconded moving ahead with this.  All ayes.  Motion carried.

Items to be placed on November agenda –

• Building permit discussion
• Receipt of and approval of Dust Ordinance Citation
• Approve Poll Workers
• Approve 2026 Budget

The bills were reviewed and a motion was made by Seth to authorize and sign them.  Matt seconded the motion.  All ayes.  Motion approved.

Matt motioned to adjourn the meeting.  Seth seconded the motion.  All ayes.  Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Cyndee Marx, Clerk