Meeting Minutes

Draft minutes: these minutes have not been approved by the Town Board and are subject to corrections/changes. TOWN OF HOLLAND BOARD MEETING October 8, 2025 MEMBERS PRESENT Chair Bob Stupi, Supervisors Jeff Herlitzke, Michael Hoffman and David Weber EXCUSED Rick Hauser STAFF PRESENT Town Crew David Carlson, Clerk Marilyn Pedretti CALL TO ORDER Chair Stupi called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Notices were properly posted. MINUTES Motion by Herlitzke/Hoffman to approve the minutes of September 10th, 25th and 30th. MOTION carried. CITIZENS’ CONCERNS: none given. COUNTY SUPERVISOR REPORT: none given. PLAN COMMISSION CSM: Genma Yadira Del Carmen Held, N7457 County Road XX, and Brandon Strand, N7469 County Road XX, requested approval of a Certified Survey Map (CSM) to subdivide parcel 8-01186-16 in half, absorbing half into parcel 8-01186-15 and half into parcel 8- 01186-17. Held explained the reason for splitting the lot and dividing ownership between her and Strand. Hoffman reported the Commission unanimously recommended approval. Motion by Herlitzke/Weber to approve the Certified Survey Map to subdivide parcel 8-01186-16 in half, absorbing half into parcel 8-01186-15 and half into parcel 8- 01186-17. MOTION carried unanimously. Driveway Variance: Brian Pinnow, o/b/o BriJen Investments LLC, N7169 Bice Avenue, requested a driveway variance for Lot 2 on Pedretti Street. Pinnow explained his request was for a spec home he is building and felt an extra 15 feet would make maneuverability into the garage easier. Hoffman reported the Commission unanimously recommended approval. Discussion followed concerning the history and reasons for the restrictions, access for Lot #2 and Lot #1, past precedence and topography. Motion by Stupi/ Herlitzke to allow the driveway variance on Lot 2 on Pedretti Street on the northwest corner within 10’ of the property line contingent on Lot 1 obtaining a variance to allow the variance on the southwest corner of Pedretti Street. MOTION carried unanimously. Report on 10/1/25 meeting: Hoffman noted all was covered. STORMWATER UTILITY COMMISSION Work projects: Hoffman reported the Town crew did some work in the right-of-way on Garden and Country but the recent rain highlighted additional work needs to be completed. He reported the culvert clean-out work is progressing and he’s been talking with the residents to get their culverts conforming to the clean-out requirement. Hoffman also reported the Fonstad Road culvert project work will begin on Saturday. 2026 Budget and ERUs: Hoffman reported the Commission approved the 2026 budget and recommended increasing the Equivalent Runoff Unit (ERU) by $20, making the ERU Draft 2 $75. Discussion followed and it was the consensus to plan future work to limit the increases. Report on 10/1/25 meeting: Hoffman noted they will be developing a 5-10 year plan for stormwater work to better address the needs within the budget limitations. PARK COMMITTEE RFP Pickleball-Basketball courts: The clerk opened the quotes received to replace the basketball court with a pickleball court and to install a new half-court basketball court at the Town Hall Park and quotes to fence the pickleball court. Board members discussed the quotes and the budget available this year. Motion by Herlitzke/Hoffman to reject all bids due to lack of bids and over budget to build the courts. MOTION carried unanimously. Broken slide: The clerk reported a quote has not been received. Discussion followed concerning options of the broken slide at the Town Hall park. The crew was directed to block off the cracked area until a replacement is ordered. PUBLIC WORKS Driveway Ordinance: Stupi reviewed the need to define “hardscape” and add language that any work within the right-of-way requires a permit. Motion by Weber/Herlitzke to approve the amendment to Ordinance #1-2022, the Driveway, Culvert and Right-of-Way Ordinance. MOTION carried unanimously. Trucking sand/salt: Stupi explained that by contracting for trucking the winter sand/salt, the trucker can hold bigger loads than our Town trucks. Discussion followed concerning an option to order salt directly from Cargill and it will be researched further for discussion next year. Motion by Herlitzke/Hoffman to approve SandBox Express to haul sand/salt in the amount of $55 a load this season. MOTION carried unanimously. Fall road tour: Stupi reported a fall road tour was recommended by the Town crew supervisor. Discussion followed. It was the consensus to schedule the Town Board road tour for Thursday, October 23rd at 10:00 a.m. Town crew report: David Carlson, Town crew member, reviewed the Town crew report. FIRE DEPARTMENT Fire Station study: Herlitzke reported the fire station plans were condensed, reducing square footage and costs, without losing functionality. He also noted they are in discussion with Senator Baldwin’s office concerning possible Federal grant money. Stupi expressed concern with moving forward without some decisions on collaboration and reported on a meeting with the four municipalities and two fire chiefs earlier today. Discussion followed. Fire District Levy Resolution: The clerk read the following into the record: RESOLUTION #2025-4 Fire District Levy Increase for 2026 Budget and Change in Equalized Value WHEREAS, the Village of Holmen and Town of Holland participate in a Joint Fire Department, legally and appropriately organized under state law; and WHEREAS, the governing bodies of the Village of Holmen and Town of Holland, are each hereby adopting a resolution invoking WI State Statute 66.0602(3)(h), which creates an exception to the local levy limit for new amounts assessed by a Joint Fire Department under original Wisconsin Act 484; and Draft 3 WHEREAS, such levy exception specifies that the total increase to the levy cannot exceed (is less than or equal to) the percentage change in the U.S. consumer price index, plus two (2) percent; and WHEREAS, the State of Wisconsin DOR has certified that the CPI-U (percentage change in the U.S. consumer price index) for 2025 heading into 2026, is 2.7 percent; thus, plus two (2) percent, would allow for a possible levy exception of a maximum of 4.7%; and WHEREAS, the Joint Fire Department’s 2025 total Operating Budget assessment was $1,885,061 and that amount was divided based on total equalized value percentages of 67.37% being assessed to the Village of Holmen and 32.63% being assessed to the Town of Holland for Holland; and WHEREAS, the Joint Fire Department increased its total Operating Budget assessment for 2026 by $86,239—for a total 2026 Operating Budget assessment of $1,971,300); and WHEREAS, the Joint Fire Department 2% Dues increased from $85,108 in 2025 to $93,739 in 2026, and those dollars are part of the Fire Department’s overall annual budget; and WHEREAS, the Joint Fire Department assesses $50,000 for Capital Budget items ($25,000 from Holmen and $25,000 from Holland) and this amount is the same from 2025 to 2026; and WHEREAS, the members of the Joint Fire Department mutually agree that the State of Wisconsin DOR percentage increase of 2.7 percent on the U.S. consumer price index, plus 2 percent, equaling a maximum total 4.7% increase to the Fire Department Budget may be adjusted as a levy exemption as per WI State Statute 66.0602(3)(h) due to the increased operational costs assessed from the Joint Fire Department for the coming year, in comparison to the previous year; and WHEREAS, the total 2025 Fire Department Budget (2% Fire Dues $85,108, Operating $1,885,061 and Capital $50,000) was $2,020,169, and the total proposed 2026 Fire Department Budget (2% Fire Dues $93,739, Operating $1,971,300 and Capital $50,000) is proposed at $2,115,239; and WHEREAS, the members of the Joint Fire Department mutually agree that the terms of our Joint Fire Protection and Emergency Services Agreement, supported by Wis. Stats. 60.55(1)(a)(2) and 61.65(2)(a)(3), divides its shares of Operating assessment by the change in Equalized Value each year; and WHEREAS, Holmen represented 67.37% ($1,425,709,100) of the total 2024 Equalized Value and Holland represented 32.63% ($690,439,800) of the total 2024 Equalized Value, for calculating the 2025 Operating assessment distribution; and WHEREAS, Holmen now represents 68.49% ($1,618,925,200) of the total 2025 Equalized Value and Holland now represents 31.51% ($744,874,300) of the total 2025 Equalized Value, for calculating the 2026 Operating assessment distribution; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Holland, in partnership with the Village of Holmen, does hereby support an overall Fire Department Budget Increase from $2,020,169 in 2025 to $2,115,239 in 2026, which equates to an increase that is “less than or equal to” the 4.7% limit to qualify for an exception to the local levy limit, and directs staff to list the equating amounts of $86,876 for Holmen and $7,995 for Holland as exceptions on the respective Levy Limit Worksheet, Line “I” in accordance with State Law and as suggested by the DOR; and Dated this 8th day of October, 2025. Motion by Stupi/Weber to approve Resolution 2025-4. MOTION carried unanimously. Draft 4 2026 draft budget: Members reviewed the draft Fire Department budget proposal dated 10/7/25. Motion by Herlitzke/Stupi to accept the draft 2026 Fire Department proposal. MOTION carried unanimously. Report on 9/29/25 meeting: Herlitzke noted there were no draft minutes but recalled some items they discussed. TOWN ADMINISTRATION Refuse/recycling services: Members discussed an option to extend the contract with Hilltopper rather than go out for bid in 2026. Members discussed best practice and responsibility to find the best option for taxpayers. No consensus reached and item will be discussed again next month. Policy manual addition: Stupi reviewed draft language adding a section on “Breaks” for employees. Discussion followed. Motion by Herlitzke/Hoffman to add section 384 Breaks to the Town Policy Handbook. MOTION carried unanimously. 2026 BUDGET, FEES AND NEWSLETTER 2026 budget draft: Pedretti reviewed several line item adjustments and changes were suggested. She noted they are awaiting several items to complete the proposed budget. 2026 fee schedule: Members reviewed the fee schedule and suggested adjusting the fees for the Town hall/shelter rentals and ERU charges. Pedretti will check with the building inspector on permit fees and she will update on whether the current refuse/recycling fees and fire number charges were in line with expenses. 2025 ERU: Stupi explained the process for setting the Equivalent Runoff Units (ERUs) and that an increase is necessary to meet the 2025 expenses. Hoffman noted the Stormwater Utility Commission recommended a $20 increase. Discussion followed. Motion by Hoffman/Stupi that we raise the ERUs $20 and set the 2025 ERU rate (paid in 2026) at $75. MOTION carried unanimously. 2026 newsletter: Pedretti asked for input on the 2026 newsletter and articles were suggested. A draft newsletter will be presented next month. Budget hearing: Motion by Herlitzke/Hoffman to set the 2026 Budget public hearing for November 12th at 6:30 at the Town Hall. MOTION carried unanimously. TREASURER’S REPORT AND BILLS The Treasurer’s report and invoices were reviewed. Motion by Herlitzke/Weber to accept the treasurer’s report and approve paying the bills in the amount of $322,724.47. MOTION carried. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Stupi and Pedretti will attend the WTA convention October 13-14. ADJOURN Motion by Hoffman/Weber to adjourn. MOTION carried. Adjourned 8:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Marilyn J. Pedretti Town Clerk