Minutes

NOTICE TO RESIDENTS TOWN OF CRESCENT MINUTES FOR TOWN BOARD MEETING WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 2025 6:00 P.M., CRESCENT TOWN HALL Board Members Present: Grady Hartman, Chair; Jonathan Jacobson, Supervisor; Mike Pazdernik, Supervisor; Tracy Hartman, Clerk; Carla Fletcher, Treasurer. Call to Order: Chairman Hartman called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. at the Crescent Town Hall. The meeting has been properly posted and distributed in accordance with the Wisconsin Open Meeting law and the facility is handicap accessible. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Approval of Agenda Motion by Pazdernik to approve the agenda. Seconded by Jacobson. All aye. Motion carried. Approval of Minutes Motion by Jacobson to approve the minutes from the Monthly Town Board Meeting of May 14, 2025. Seconded by Hartman. All aye. Motion carried. Motion by Pazdernik to approve the minutes from the Monthly Town Board Meeting of May 22, 2025. Seconded by Jacobson. All aye. Motion carried. Public Comment – - Tim Kilgore – Crescent Lake District Chair – written comment received. Supports an ordinance banning enhanced wakes. - Erin Bertram – Squash Lake Landowner – Written comment - Opposed to an ordinance banning enhanced wakes. Recommended launch fees, boat cleaners, cameras, and proper signage. - Donna Stone – 2976 Wausau Rd – Crescent Lake – Gave data on the depth of Crescent Lake and boat activity. Circulated a petition supporting an ordinance banning enhanced wakes and over 180 landowners on Crescent Lake signed the petition. Stone stated that they have a draft ordinance prepared. - Jim Binder – Crescent Lake Resident – Strongly favors an ordinance to ban wake surfing and wake activities. Concerned Crescent Lake will become the go to lake for wake boats. Expressed concern about safety with the wake boats on the lakes. - Chris Coor – 3076 Wausau Road – Enhanced wake committee member – Current wake boat owner and feels that there are as many concerns caused by fishing boats and jet skis. Opposed to an ordinance. - Janet Appling – Peninsula Rd – Was previously told her road would be tarred and she would like to see that happen to help save the road. Supports some restrictions being placed on wake boats with suggestions to remind people of the areas they are able to wake boat. - Mike Henry – 2877 South Rifle Road – Enhanced Wake Committee Member – Felt the committee was biased and did not reflect the majority of the people living on Crescent Lake. Henry gave a list of possible damage to the lake that occurs with wake boats and wake surfing. Supports an ordinance banning enhanced wakes and that self-enforcement will occur. - Rosie Page – WI Headwaters Invasives Partnership – June is declared invasive species awareness and action month. Page will speak to homeowners and groups regarding invasive species. Page spoke regarding buckthorn which is an issue in Crescent. - Terry Golbach – 2704 Bible Camp Road – Supports an ordinance to eliminate the wake enhancing activities of wake boats. Wake boats can contribute to invasive species spreading in a number of different ways. - Wendy Goldbach – 2704 Bible Camp Road – Supports an ordinance to eliminate enhanced wakes. Boats hurt the shoreline and the amount of money that landowners need to spend to repair damage to the shores and the riprap is concerning. - Sandra McKitrick - 3155 Detienne Road – Concerned with the depth wake boats disrupt the lakes, the water that is kept in the ballast and inability to inspect the ballasts, and dangerous wakes that are created. - Steve Pawelko – 3106 Pleasure Point Road – Rules are needed to protect society and the key issues is that outside people can come on the lake and be a detriment to Crescent Lake. An ordinance would help to prevent those people from coming in and without an ordinance there is going to be an influx of outsiders bringing in invasive species. Supports an ordinance to stop enhanced wakes. - Nate Gaetdke - 10124 Woodland Trail – Nokomis Town Chair – Expressed concern about the legal battle that could ensue if a town goes through with an ordinance. Feels that towns need to work together to fight this. Believes that the state and DNR should be the ones regulating this and being on the lakes enforcing the laws. - Christie McGee - 6712 Prune Lake Rd. – Concerned about chipping that occurred on the road and the turn around that was built on the road. There was a fence damaged on the road. Requested that this is put on a future agenda. - Mary Beth Mack – 3015 S Rifle Road – Supports an ordinance against wake boats. Would like to protect the lake for everyone. Doesn’t feel that wake boats are made for the smaller lakes in Northern Wisconsin. Depth for the boats should be 30 feet and very few lakes are 30 feet in depth. Mack expressed concerns with the antifreeze that may be in the ballasts of the boats. - Brad Slominski - 2681 Long View Dr. – Expressed concern with some of the information that is being spread which he feels is inaccurate. Feels an ordinance is going to pit neighbors against each other and cause issues. The state should be allowed to make a law or the board should follow the enhanced wake recommendations. Banning the boat is unconstitutional and will be fought. - Jim Altenburg – 6652 Prune Lake Rd – Would like to see respect between people of differing views. Doesn’t believe that wake boats are moved between lakes. Invasive species are moved by fishing boats. Explained the downthrust caused by fishing boats, pontoon boats and wake boats. - Todd Hehli - 3024 Wausau Rd – Wake boats have been on Crescent Lake for years and it is important to preserve the lakes for future generations. Served on the enhanced wake committee and felt it was fairly put together. Information that has been spread is exaggerated and anecdotal. Thanked Supervisor Waksmonski for the work on the committee. Felt the committee came up with a reasonable resolution. - Connie Anderson – S Rifle Road – Asked that the board stop kicking the can down the road and make a decision. - Dan Mehring – 2853 Bay Dr. – Supports regulation on the wake enhancement. Expressed concern with the backwash that is coming into the bay. Expressed concern with the wave created by the wake boat and the safety. - Jerry Schmidt – Squash Lake – Clarity in the lake has gone down and is concerned with the invasive species. Supports an ordinance limiting enhanced wakes. - Kathleen Stifter - 3072 Wausau Rd. – Supports an ordinance against enhanced wake. Has seen the shoreline fall down every year. Expressed concern with an inability to see on the boat. - Sue Lietz – 2741 Crescent Lake – Supports an ordinance against enhanced wake with a limit on water being in the ballast of the boat. Concerned with the safety of the waves created by the boats for swimmers in the water. - Mark Markey – 2765 Squash Lake – Expressed concern with children in the water when wake boats go by. Stated there was a boat out last weekend and the water on the shoreline turned too much after the boat went by. - Mindy Slominski – 2681 Long View Dr – Completed a study of their wake boats with a ruler showing the wake when it got 400 and 200 feet from shore and the wake wasn’t as high as what people are saying. - Stephanie Harrelson – Lake Julia – Feels that data that is being pushed is one-sided. Would like to see a fair and balanced recommendation. Served on the enhanced wake committee and supported the recommendation of 300 feet from shore and 15 foot depth. Encouraged everyone to look at study design. - Lonnie Harrelson – Lake Julia Road – Thanked the town for forming the ad hoc committee and the time that was spent on the issue. Supports the recommendation that came out of that committee. Questioned how an ordinance would be enforced and does not want to see the residents of the lake have to enforce the ordinance. Enhanced Wake Regulations and Potential Ordinance – Hartman feels that the town needs to do something, however, is unsure what should happen. Expressed frustration that the state hasn’t done their job and passed a law that the DNR and the Sheriff’s Office can enforce. Hartman expressed concern about the enforcement aspect and how that would happen. Hartman stated that there is a pending lawsuit in Burnett County against a town that has passed an ordinance and expressed concern with the cost to town residents if the town finds itself in a lawsuit. Jacobson stated that he has looked at a lot of data and research and feels that if you want to find data/research you can find it either in support or against any issue. Jacobson feels there is a lot of mixed data and possible bad data. Jacobson is concerned with passing an ordinance that automatically makes a boat owner unable to use their boat. Expressed a need for all boaters to be aware of their surroundings and safety. Pazdernik believes that the board should support the majority of people on the lake and understands that any decision that is made is going to upset some voters. Pazdernik expressed a concern with the quality of the water in the lake and the clarity of the water in recent years. Pazdernik feels that in the last few years the wakes coming into the shore have increased and damage to the shoreline has increased. Pazdernik would like to see an ordinance prohibiting wake boats on any lake less than a 1000 acres. Would like to see homeowners with existing wake boats grandfathered in and does not want to see Crescent Lake become a destination lake for wake boats. Hartman expressed concern with passing an ordinance that limits only some people. Jacobson expressed concern with the assertion that the clarity of the lakes are down because of wake boats and doesn’t feel that is an accurate assertion. Jacobson liked the suggestion made by a property owner to have a boat cleaning station, however, it is cost prohibitive. Jacobson liked the ad hoc committee’s recommendation for an education component, however, isn’t sure how to implement that. Jacobson likes an education component more than trying to restrict someone ability to use the lake. Would like to see some uniformity between lakes and counties on what the protocols are for wake boats. Hartman asked Jacobson if he is in support of some sort of ordinance. Jacobson expressed some support for the recommendation of the ad hoc committee with a 300 feet from shore, however, minimum depth would be difficult to watch. Hartman stated that he is not in support of any ordinance that has an enforcement component to it. Hartman expressed support for an ordinance that would lay out some rules for boats that could be posted at the boat landings. Jacobson expressed concern with the social pressure on the lake and issues that may arise. Hartman recommended 300 feet from shore with a 20 foot depth. Jacobson feels that 20 feet is too restrictive. Pazdernik would support 300 feet with a 20 foot depth. Hartman would propose that one supervisor write up a draft ordinance and bring it to the next meeting. Motion by Pazdernik to create an ordinance restricting wake boats to a min of 300 feet from the shore and a minimum of 20 feet depth of water. Seconded by Hartman. Hartman clarified that this would be to create a draft ordinance to be brought back to a future meeting. Jacobson stated that he disagrees with a 20 foot depth and would support a depth of 15 feet. Motion by Hartman to amend the motion to 17 ½ feet depth. Seconded by Jacobson. Vote on the amendment, all aye; motion amended. Vote on the amended motion, Pazdernik, aye; Jacobson, nay; Hartman, aye. Motion carried. Hartman will prepare the ordinance and bring it to the next meeting. Squash Lake Boat Landing: Ramp and Retaining Walls – Hartman stated that the previous board set aside money to replace the retaining walls and concrete pads. Hartman would propose that the board put it out for bids this month. Hartman believes this would be two different projects. Discussion regarding the permit that will be needed from the DNR. Hartman believes that would be part of the contract. Discussion regarding the process and what needs to happen. Hartman will work to create a bid document. 2025 Town Road Construction Projects – Hartman received a quote from the county to do the Hat Rapids bridge improvements for $5800. Motion by Jacobson to approve the Counties bid of $5841.00. To repair both bridge aprons on the Hat Rapids Road bridge. Seconded by Pazdernik. All aye; motion carried. Jacobson would like to address the plow turnaround at the end of Prune Lake Road. Jacobson would like to address this with the road crew and determine if the town is within the easement. Jacobson would like to see gravel on N. Wausau Road, Hartman is working on that one. Jacobson would like to see the protruding rock on Hixon Lake Road and repaving that portion of the road. Hartman agreed that this should be put out for bid. Jacobson stated that based upon funding available Birch Lane and Sunset Road would be next on the list of roads to be completed. Pazdernik would like to see a quote on chip-sealing Peninsula road. Discussion regarding Airport Road. Jacobson stated that there are grants for local roads through the state that are due to the state in October and he would like to look into that. 2025-2026 Liquor Licenses and Cigarette License – Clerk Hartman presented the 2025 – 2026 Liquor License and Cigarette License applications. Motion by Pazdernik to approve the applications for liquor licenses and cigarette licenses. Seconded by Jacobson. All aye; motion carried. 2025-2026 Applications for Operator’s License – Clerk Hartman presented the Operator License applications for 2025 – 2026. Discussion regarding the operator’s license and Hartman recommended denying 3 applications until background checks are completed. Motion by Hartman to approve the Operator’s License for Maria Kipper, Delly Bushong, Jennifer Blomdahl, Tina Sztukowski, Joyce Pulic-Sinclair, Joseph Cancilliere, Micah Achterberg, Katie Achterberg, Trisha Marie Schultz, Jacob Kuehl, Alexis Keso. Seconded by Pazdernik. All aye, motion carried. Motion by Hartman to deny the operator license applications for Jovan Salzman, Chaztylini Mancl and Jessica Matuszewski. Seconded by Pazdernik. All aye; motion carried. Approve 2026 Contract with Michael Schnautz Assessment – Hartman stated that Schnautz is the town assessor and the town is out of compliance with the Department of Revenue. The town needs a complete reassessment in 2026 for a proposed cost of $37,800. Motion by Jacobson to approve Michael Schnautz assessor proposal for contract as presented. Seconded by Pazdernik. All aye; motion carried. Brush Chipping Update – Hartman reported that the crew has been out brush chipping for those residents that requested to be placed on the list. Hartman reported that the process was different and there were several residents that didn’t know they needed to request to be added to the list. Hartman asked what the boards thoughts are on reopening the window for people to get on the list for brush chipping. Discussion regarding brush chipping. Hartman will reopen the window to request brush chipping. Driveway Application - None Future Meeting Dates and Agenda Items – July 9. Review Correspondence – None Approval of Vouchers/Adjourn - Motion by Hartman to approve vouchers as submitted. Seconded by Pazdernik. All aye. Motion carried. Hartman adjourned the meeting at 8:16 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Tracy Hartman Municipal Clerk