Minutes

Annual Meeting of the Electors Minutes from April 16, 2024 Chairperson Monica Zeller called the meeting to order at 6:00pm. 48 electors were in attendance. Clerk Linda Ziegler stated that the Annual Meeting Notice was posted at the Townsend Town Hall, The Townsend post office, Laona State Bank, Townsend location and www.Townsendwisconsin.org on April 2, 2024 and the agenda was posted at the same locations on April 12, 2024. Terri Heyrman made the motion to approve the minutes from April 18, 2023, electors meeting, 2nd by Anita Szyszkiewicz. 1. Treasurer Beth Hartman gave a finance report for F2023. The Town levy was $644,690.00 which we collected. MFL, Trans Aid and PILT was up and by the end of F2023 the town had $356,000 more than budgeted. This money is allocated into depreciation funds. The Town used the remaining ARPA funds from 2021 on a copier, Dry hydrants, fixed the FD apron, replaced some truck tires, added our own gas tank and bought new plow and blades. We were also able to pay off the tractor loan of $139,000.00. Zeller stated that the efforts to control the expenses at the recycle center shows much progress. 2. NOCCO – report on file. Andy Dryja sent a report stating that he was involved in 1166 calls last year and logged 1386.5 hours of recreation reinforcement and submitted them to the WI DNR for patrol reimbursement funds. Dryja and the Oconto County Sheriff’s department are stressing the importance of Mental Health Awareness. Many of their calls are related to depression, anxiety, ect. Contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for help. 3. Lakewood/Townsend Community Ambulance Service – report on file. Steve Harkema said in 2023 they handled 242 calls, which is down 5% from 2022. 60 of those calls were no transport calls. They continue to recruit staff since the current employees are getting older. An addition to the building will be completed this summer. The total cost is covered by donations and fund raising. The new chasis is expected 2025. 4. Townsend Fire Department – report on file. Chief Dawn Herlache said there are currently 18 members and always looking for more. 2023 saw 40 calls, up 30% from 2022. They continue to work with the Nicolet Fire District as well as Wabeno, the DNR and the Forestry service. This year’s risk reduction project will be on Maple Acres, Chipmunk and Deer Track Ln. Two more hydrants will be added, one on Sunset Bay Ln and the other at N. Surprise Lake ln. The Ladder truck 2911 will be sold to make room for the new engine. Old engine 2911 is being converted to a rescue truck. The new truck should be delivered by July. 5. Townsend Festival Committee – report on file. Cindy Bronold said there will be T-ball this year. A league from Antigo will be at the ballpark on Monday’s. A Kickball tournament is being planned for June. July 4th will bring crafters and the parade at noon. The ball park concession stand will open at 6pm and kids’ games start at 7pm with fireworks at dusk. Mardi Gras overflow ball teams will be mid-July and the committee is looking at getting new playground equipment. 6. Planning & Zoning – no report 7. Archibald Lake – no report 8. Mary Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District– report on file. The P&R district is waiting to heard regarding the Citizen’s Resolution to reduce the panfish limit to better manage certain fish populations in the lake. They are dealing with a beaver problem on Mary Creek and working with Native Range Ecologists. 9. Townsend Flowage Protection District – report on file. Chairperson John Zimdars said there will be no herbicide treatment in 2024. The DNR and UW stevens Point will be doing the point to point survey to determine what type of aquatic plants are in the Flowage 10. Inland Lakes Protection & Rehabilitation District #1 – report on file. John Mitchell said there will be no herbicide treatment in 2024. The reasoning is so the plant does not become immune to the chemical. Because of the light snow cover, the weeds are going to be really bade this year. They may drop the cutters early to get ahead of the growth. The Horn Lake dock repair could not get done because of the ice conditions. They will try another way this summer. There is a beaver problem on the upper McCaslin and they’re working with the DNR and the town. 11. Pickerel Chain Lake Association – report on file. President Drew Zelle said there are 80 members in the association. Their lake management plan was updated in June 2023. An aerator was installed on Smoke Lake. Their community picnic fund raiser is July 20th. The boat landing at Oughton park needs to be addressed with the town and the water levels may be a concern at the dam. 12. Red Arrow Snowmobile – ATV Club – report on file. President Rick VanAsten said the club reached it’s 56th year and has 425 members. The club continually works with the local businesses and town and government officials for the safety and economic impact of both sports. The Wildwood trail east of hwy 32 has been completed. Plans for the lower loop trail improvements will be completed this summer. Red Arrow is a sponsor of ATV /snowmobile safety classes for youth and older students. The SnowFest in February and Corn Roast in September are always very well attended and a lot of fun. 13. Lakes Country Public Library – report on file. Townsend representative Kathleen Marsh thanked Jim Adamczyk for his two terms on the board and introduced Sue Christensen as the new rep for Townsend. The library expansion is almost complete. The dedication will be July 27, 2024. This project has been done with no taxpayer money. 14. Additional Business – Zeller stated there were two items from the 2023 meeting. Forming a committee to look at combining the clerk/treasurer position. This had not happened and there will be no further action. The second approved motion was to give the elected officials a raise. Tom Sell made the motion to raise the elected officials pay 10%, 2nd by Judi Fellows – 42 yea, 2 nay, 4 abstain – M/A. Kathleen made the motion to have the topic of elected official’s’ salaries reviewed at the electors meeting every odd year, 2nd by Dawn Herlache – 44 yea, 0 nay, 4 abstain. Rick Van Asten & Mike Malueg from Red Arrow presented $500.00 to the Townsend Fire Department. Kathleen Marsh said the Lakes/Country Beacon is done publishing this week. She suggested subscribing to the Oconto County Times Herald. Ziegler mentioned that the Oconto County Reporter is the official newspaper for legals for the town. Tom Derrickson asked by the cost of the road asphalt went down. DeMoulin stated that Northeast Asphalt will be using the pit in Townsend this year and so the cost of trucking is greatly reduced. Jef Schraeder asked if there are any plans to repave Hwy T. Dave Christensen, Oconto County Supervisor, said County T is on the 20-year plan and they’re only ½ way there. The bids for asphalt were lower to the county, also. Dale Szyszkiewicz asked what roads will be done this year? Zeller said there is a work meeting on Monday, April 22 to determine. Bridgit Jones asked if the recycle stickers are working. Zeller said that costs are down and out container loads are reduced. 15. Next Annual meeting will be April 15, 2025 at 5:00pm Dawn Herlache made the motion to adjourn at 7:27pm, 2nd by Tom Derrickson – M/A Minute Approved April 15, 2025 Linda Ziegler, Clerk `