STATE OF WISCONSIN
Town of Washburn
Town Meeting Minutes – March 10, 2026 

The meeting was called to order at 7:02 by Scottie Sandstrom

In Attendance: Board members – Scottie Sandstrom, Matt Tetzner, Seth Vasser, Vicki Thoen. (Christina Eliason absent-out of town)

Bob & Monique Mattson, John Carlson, Sandy Raspotnik (Washburn School Board President), Ellen Avol-Law (Washburn School Board Vice President), Connie Cogger, Tom Cogger, Kim Bro (Plan Commission), Shane Hanson (Northland Lawn & Sport), Pete Lulich (Lulich Implement)

Online: Wendy Stein, Pamela McGillvery, Jake Benson, Jim Park, Gerry Powers

Public Notice was verified: Ashland Daily Press, Tetzner Dairy, website

Public Comment – none

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

A motion to approve minutes from previous meeting was made by Seth, Matt seconded, all ayes. Motion carried.

School Board of Washburn Presentation: Sandy Raspotnik presented information about the cost of the school voucher program to the school district.  She presented a motion to be made by Town of Washburn, to add a statement on the tax bills regarding these costs for transparency to taxpayers. Scottie made motion to open floor for discussion, Matt seconded, all ayes.  The public asked questions and made comments. Board decided it was good information for taxpayers to have, though Scottie shared that the Town should consider being involved in only that which is Town business, like the Board decided to do with the Website, and didn’t feel this request is Town business. Seth moved to close open comments and Matt seconded, all ayes. Seth moved to accept proposal to include sentence about voucher program expense, no second. Seth moved to table the topic until the April meeting.  Matt seconded, all ayes. Motion carried.

Dust Ordinance Update Presentation: John Carlson and Pam McGillvery discussed changes to Dust Ordinance to apply to the trucks and contractors. Must mitigate dust and could apply calcium chloride and post a speed limit of 15 mph on non-paved surface. Operators of the pit and haulers are responsible for mitigating the dust. Enforcement is an issue. Discussion was had on ways to enforce the ordinance The cost to apply calcium chloride is estimated to be $1500. The Board discussed and decided there was more work to do on the ordinance.  The Board needs to determine how much we can budget for the calcium chloride application. Perhaps the pit owner (Bob Olson) can pay part of it.  John Carlson suggested we adopt the changed ordinance. Seth moved to table until April meeting, Matt seconded, all ayes. Motion carried.

Tractor Cost Comparison for Potential Action – Scottie made the motion to move this topic up in the agenda before reports, Seth seconded, all ayes. Motion carried. Representatives from Lulich Implement & Northland Lawn and Sport presented quotes for a new tractor. Lulich Implements quote for a new 2025 New Holland was the lower bid. Our 2005 tractor is worth approx. $15,000 on trade in. Scottie made the motion that we move ahead with the purchase of the New Holland, Seth seconded, all ayes. Motion carried. Vicki will reach out to area banks regarding financing options.

Reports:

Clerk: Board members (except for Matt Tetzner) have been registered for the Wisconsin Town Association District Meeting on March 28. Matt indicated that he will be able to attend so Vicki will send in his registration. Heart Graphics will print and process the annual newsletter for mailing. Including postage, the cost will be approximately $420. The town was overcharged in December 2025 by Chicago Iron & Supplies. Vicki reached out to them and a refund of $1818.80 was received on 2/26/26. Christina talked to Lynn Adams about the past due snow removal invoice from 2022-2023. Lynn confirmed it was added to the next property tax bill. The Wisconsin Town Association County unit meeting is scheduled for March 23 at 7:00. Vicki picked up the ballots for the upcoming election and the Assessment Roll Book. Currently there are requests for 30 absentee ballots.

Treasurer: the treasurer’s report was emailed to board members prior to the meeting since Christina was out of town.

Road Crew:  no report

Chair: Spring road load restrictions were sent to Ashland Daily Press and posted on the website. They go into effective on Thursday, March 12 at noon. Kelly Traczyk, a Rural Sustainability Specialist with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), would like to meet with us to discuss the solar panel project. We will invite her to the May Town meeting. Mike Harvey has mentioned he would like to attend continuing education. WTA is offering ‘Town Road School 2026’ in late April. The total cost will be approximately $700. Scottie moved to approve this expense, Matt seconded, all ayes. Motion carried.

Matt moved that we accept the reports, Seth seconded, all ayes. Motion carried.

Plan Commission: Kim Bro shared Public Road Access Frontage Requirements recommendations. The board reviewed it and approved it for submission. He shared the brochure about the town created by Trisha Miller. There are updates that need to be made and it will be upload to website and some printed. 45 mph signs will go up this spring in some areas. Discussed the idea of the town posting Share the Road signs about bicycles/pedestrians.  Seth moved that we post the signs, Matt seconded, all ayes. Motion carried. The Plan Commission will share information about Dark Skys and light reduction at the Annual meeting on April 21.

Appointment of Plan Commission Chair and Plan Commissioner for New Term: Kim Bro to continue in position until April 30 2028. Caroline Twombly was appointed to another 3-year term. Motion was made by Scottie, seconded by Seth, all ayes. Motion carried.

Bid preparation for West Engoe Road Double Chip Seal Project: must notify state 7 days before we go out for bids. Scottie will notify state by April 7, Emmer Shields will assist. Request for bids will be published in Ashland Daily Press on April 16.  Bids will be opened and review at the May meeting.

Items to be placed on future agendas:

Statement on tax bills requested by School Board

Dust Ordinance

discuss plowing driveways next year

Authorize the payment of bills:  After review of bills to be paid, Seth moved to authorize payment, Matt seconded, all ayes. Motion carried.

Adjournment: At 9:23 pm Matt made the motion to adjourn the meeting, Seth seconded, all ayes.  Motion carried.