Town Board — Minutes

UNAPPROVED MEETING MINUTES TOWN OF SEYMOUR ANNUAL MEETING VOL. 38 PAGE 14 The 150th Annual Meeting of the Town of Seymour was held on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the Seymour Town Hall. Board members present were Town Chair Jessica Janssen, Town Supervisor Kerry Parker, and Town Supervisor Ken Schick. Also present were Road Supervisor John Oxley, Town Clerk/Treasurer Jean Eisold, Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Sarah Smith, and 10 area residents. Chair Janssen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and led us in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. The Board and staff were introduced. Chair Janssen asked if there were any additions and/or corrections to the minutes of the 2024 Annual Meeting. Town resident Jack Running motioned to accept the minutes as presented. Seconded by Town resident Fred Kappus. Motion carried. Assessor Alyssa Schultz from Bowmar Appraisal was unable to attend the meeting but submitted a letter on behalf of Bowmar Appraisal. The letter stated that a revaluation was completed for the 2024 assessment year. As a result of the revaluation, all property classes are now assessed at market value. The new overall 2024 assessment ratio is 100.86%, bringing the Town into compliance with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue requirements regarding total assessed values. Additionally, a document titled Wisconsin Department of Revenue Final Major Class Comparison was provided for the board’s review. Clerk/Treasurer Jean Eisold provided the Financial Statement Highlights to the Town Board. She distributed the following documents for review: Unaudited 2023 Financials report, Financial Statements with Independent Auditor’s report, and Required Audit Communication report to the Town Board. Also reviewed the 2024 Cash Receipts Journal and noted an increase in revenue. The increase is attributed to a rise in hall and pavilion rentals, as well as higher landfill compensation payments. Town residents asked if we could make financial information available to the public. Mike Rudd (Battalion Chief) and John Oxley (Chief of Rescue & Special Rescue) of the Seymour Fire Station presented the 2024 activity report for the Fire Department and Emergicare Services. The Township Fire Department operates five stations within the county and had a total of 117 active members in 2024, consisting of 79 volunteer firefighters, 16 Emergicare members, and 22 Firefighter/Emergicare members. In 2024, the Town of Seymour received 160 Emergicare calls, which represented 14.4% of the department's total calls. Additionally, Seymour responded to 74 total calls. The department also provided EMS staffing or standby support for seven special events throughout the year. A copy of the Township Fire Department 2024 Annual Report was provided and is on file. Chair Janssen informed residents about the current Ambulance Service contract with the City of Eau Claire, which is set to expire in 2028. She noted the likelihood of increased costs moving forward. All participating townships requested a study through Eau Claire County to explore future service and cost options, with the hope that the County might assist with levy costs. Although the study was completed and presented to the County's Administrative Committee, it did not move forward. Chair Janssen encouraged residents to contact their County Board representatives if they have concerns about the lack of progress on this issue and the potential for future cost increases. Roads and Buildings Supervisor John Oxley provided an update on planned and ongoing road projects for the 2025 road work season. The Town of Seymour will be completing the following types of work: base course preparation, asphalt/paving, pulverizing, seal coating, pavement marking, and crack sealing. Paving projects are scheduled for Peterson Avenue, Vance Road, and Woodhaven Road/Lassek Court. Bids for these projects were awarded on April 14, 2025. Oxley also reported that the guardrails on Tower Drive will be replaced due to damage sustained in an auto accident. In addition, residents were informed of an increase in road sign thefts, which has led to increased costs. Oxley encouraged residents to report any suspicious activity related to sign theft to help address the issue. Clerk/Treasurer Jean Eisold reviewed the 2024 MS4 Report. MS4 is a report of structures in the Town of Seymour that gather stormwater and discharge that can affect local streams or rivers. Also, the report captures that we offer public education of Storm Water Management. John Oxley and Dakota Nichols inspected seventeen sites (see attached report) in March, of all inspected no sites showed signs of illicit discharge. Throughout 2024 we had four educational/outreach events, which provided storm management information at 2024 elections, town newsletter, annual meeting, and annual picnic. Public Comments Fred Kappus spoke on behalf of the Lake Altoona Rehabilitation and Protection District. He provided an update on plans for a major dredging project in the delta area of Lake Altoona. The project will be conducted in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Preliminary surveys will be conducted to determine the volume of sand and sediment that needs to be removed. Approval from Eau Claire County will be required to lower lake levels for the project. Kappus noted that the lake was last dredged in 2016, and the debt from that project is expected to be paid off this year. The rehabilitation district anticipates receiving $500,000 from the State budget surplus and $800,000 in Federal funding to support the upcoming dredging project. Town resident inquired about the Town’s commitment to the intergovernmental bike path project along McKinley Road. Chair Janssen confirmed that the Town has committed to the project; however, final plans, including which side of the road the path will be located on, have not yet been determined. The project will be managed by Eau Claire County. Supervisor’s Schick and Parker thanked Chair Janssen for her service and dedication to the Town of Seymour, as this meeting marked her final meeting as Town Chair. They expressed appreciation for her contributions over the past four years, highlighting accomplishments such as securing landfill compensation and sociological payments, as well as initiating the Annual Town Picnic. Chair Janssen welcomed and introduced the incoming Town Chair, John Ailie. Chair Janssen thanked everyone for attending. The next meeting date is set for April 21, 2026, at 7:00 pm. Motion to adjourn was made by Town resident Jack Running and seconded by Town resident Fred Kappus. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Jean Eisold, Clerk Treasurer