minutes

Regular Board Meeting Tuesday, March 10, 2026 Townsend Town Hall 6:00pm Chairperson Monica Zeller called the meeting to order at 6:00pm Roll Call: Chairperson Monica Zeller, Supervisor Chuck DeMoulin, Supervisor Willie Evans, Treasurer Beth Hartman, Clerk Linda Ziegler. 23 Citizens Verification of proper agenda notice: Ziegler posted the agenda on March 3, 2026 at the Townsend Post Office, Townsend Town Hall, Laona State Bank, Townsend branch, and www.townsendwisconsin.org Zeller made the motion to approve the agenda with additions to announcements, 2nd by Evans– M/A Motion made by DeMoulin to accept the minutes of February 10, 2026, 2nd by Evans– M/A Treasurer’s Report – Hartman gave a P&L budget performance report. The board moved funds in the allocation accounts; $30,000 from the Assessor to Ambulance, $50,000 from Hall & Grounds to Ambulance and $94,880.00 to available cash. Motion by Evans to approve the report and pay all the bills, 2nd by DeMoulin – M/A Ambulance Report – Steve Harkema reported 19 calls in February. Building plans are under review, with John Zeller donating his time to help with construction. The new ambulance is expected by May. The Lakewood board asked the ambulance committee to provide a clearer understanding of data provided. Zeller requested a meeting of all boards involved. There will be no Freezing Fanny Raffle this year. Townsend, Lakewood, and the Ambulance board will meet in April. Fire Department – Chief Dawn Herlache reported that there have been 4 calls since the last meeting. The training burn at the Bass Lake house is scheduled for March 21. Burning permits are now available at Pintsch’s Tru Valu or on the DNR website. Reflective chevrons have been installed on the rear of two fire trucks. The Silver Cliff Fire Department remains out of service because the town has not been able to obtain insurance because of the tornado that struck two years ago. They have a mutual agreement with Athelstane and Lakewood is currently assisting with any emergency calls FOTF – Wanda Laste thanked everyone who participated in the Spring cash raffle which ended Saturday, March 7. The focus will turn to the 4th of July celebration with the first meeting on March 11 at 6pm. The next business meeting will be March 21 and the annual meeting April 18 Lake Country Library – Kathleen Marsh noted that DVDs remain popular during the slow season. The annual report shows Townsend had 6,149 items borrowed in 2025, second only to Lakewood, with a system total of 32,271. Weekly programs and a monthly speaker are also offered. NOCCO – report on file. There were 70 incidents in February;23 were snowmobile complaints Permits/Licenses – N/A Business: 1. Conditional Use Application for Shadian Landscaping, Parel #042-232312124F, 17921 St. Hwy 32. – Committee Member Ed Robertson reported that owner Dan Shadian is requesting the conditional use permit for the purpose of a landscape business. The initial plan is to use the property for storage or equipment and stockpiles of materials for off-site use. There will be an ADA compliant porta potty installed. He anticipates his operation to be seasonal and/or 24 hours, 7 days week yearly as needed. The stockpiles of materials will be confined within concrete “jersey barriers”. Shadian anticipates a future storefront. He said the existing septic is capped, electric is cut off and the well and septic will need to be tested. There is no potential for the proposed use to create conflict with existing uses. The property is zoned General Commercial and Shadian has discussed his plans with the neighboring businesses. There are adequate public facilities to serve the proposed land use. The burdens on the local government for providing services for this proposal are reasonable. The proposal agrees with the Town Vision Statement as found in the Town Comprehensive Plan. The Proposal agrees with the Town Goals, Objectives and Development Strategies as found in the Town Comprehensive Plan. The Planning & Zoning Committee is recommending the town board approve the Conditional Use Permit. Zeller made the motion to approve, 2nd by Evans – M/A 2. Resolution 02-2026 Supporting a Comprehensive and Sustainable Transportation Funding Solution. Zeller read the resolution that recaps the local units of government in Wisconsin have had to bear the burden of maintaining approx. 90% of the public road, while state transportation aids remain insufficient to keep pace with inflation and rising costs. Therefore, this resolution urges the Governor and the State Legislature to enact a comprehensive, sustainable transportation funding solution. Zeller made the motion to adopt Resolution 02-2026, 2nd by Evans – M/A. The clerk will be sending this resolution to the Governor and State Legislators. 3. Board of Review Policies – tabled to April 4. Northern Archers – Don Solberg shared that the club obtained 23 3-D targets last year and now plans to build a pavilion and expand the practice range for cross bows. The proposed pavilion will sit on a concrete slab, either 16x24 or 24x24 feet, based on bids, and be located across from the cemetery near the shooting range. This location will provide access for cemetery visitors and social events, with respect maintained for funerals. Zeller stated the board will review the land use agreement and requested a layout map before responding to the proposal. 5. Highway Supervisor Bob Habeck announced that Townsend roads have had 5-ton weight limits since March 6 and these restrictions may last up to six weeks. Special permits will be limited, and gravel roads might not be plowed because the ground is too soft. Residents are asked to be patient in the spring, as plowing could damage the roads. 6. Annual Meeting of the Electors will be April 21, 2026, at 5pm. Anyone who has business to discuss should contact the clerk to get on the agenda. Public Comment: - Jeff Schoeder asked if the town takes the flat lithium batteries. DeMoulin said Home Depot accepts them. Correspondence: A packet was delivered to the town via mail from an individual from Florida. The contents were very erratic, with nothing pertaining to the town, and the sheriff was notified. Announcements: The town is hiring a recycle center attendant No Archers annual meeting Mar 21 at 3pm In office absentee voting for Spring Election March 24 Spring election April 7, 2026 7am – 8pm Town Board Meeting April 14 at 6pm Annual Meeting of the Electors April 21 at 5pm DeMoulin made the motion to adjourn at 7:06, 2nd by Evans– M/A Minutes approved April 14, 2026 Linda Ziegler, Clerk