Meeting Minutes

Phone: (715) 399-8385 Fax: (715) 399-0181 E-mail: townofsuperior@centurytel.net Web: www.townofsuperior.net Chair: Ronald Pete Supervisor: William Conner Supervisor: Robert “Zimm” Zimmerman Clerk: Carolyn Jones Treasurer: Cindy Theien Town of Superior 4917 South State Road 35 Superior WI 54880 TOWN OF SUPERIOR – ANNUAL MEETING Tuesday, April 19, 2022 The annual meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by Chairman Ronald Pete. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Compliance with the Open Meeting Law was met, with notices posted at the Town Hall, Superior Meats, 4 Corners Store, Vine Body Shop, and published on the website and twice in the Superior Telegram as a service to residents. In addition to Chairman Pete, Supervisor Conner, Supervisor Zimmerman, Treasurer Theien & Clerk Jones, 6 residents were in attendance. After review, motion was made by Bill Britton and seconded by Joe Hizinski to accept the minutes for the April 20, 2021 annual meeting with a typo correction. Motion carried unanimously. Annual Financial Report Prepared and presented by Treasurer Cindy Theien. The balance sheet as of December 31, 2021 shows total assets of $635,729.21. Since the Town works on a cash basis, payroll is included in total liabilities. As of January 1st, 2022- the town had outstanding loans totaling $1,808,579.03 that payments are due on March 15th every year. The loan for the tractor mower with a payment of $11,544.30 was paid off in January 2022, the 4 remaining loans are for tandem truck with a payment of $11,150.34 with remaining balance of $101,655.84, land next to the town hall with a payment of $6150.91 and remaining balance of $49,881.87, first draw of new fire hall loan with a payment of $43,524.10 with remaining balance of $529,381.40 and the remaining draw of the new fire hall loan with a payment of $92,712.72 with remaining balance $1,127,659.92. A copy of the report is on file with the clerk. Town of Superior Fire Department Annual Report Fire Chief Darryl Fiegle reported the department had a very busy year with 390 in-service man hours for fire calls (average of 2.5 hrs per fire call) and 262 in-service man hours for EMS calls (average of .5 hrs per EMS call). The department responded to 279 calls; 174 were in the Town of Superior and 22 in Village of Oliver and 83 were mutual aid for surrounding town. The average response time for fire calls was 10.5 minutes and 9 minutes for EMS calls. A copy of the report is on file with the clerk. Chairman’s Annual Report Chairman Pete started his report with his remarks will be brief about the past year, what we have accomplished this year and things we hope to accomplish going forward. Residents need to recognize that the Town only receives a small portion of the property taxes paid in, bulk of money goes to the school district, then Douglas County and the vocational school. The town receives income from other sources and sometimes has restrictions on where and what it can be spent on. Last year, the Town was able to receive a 50% match from Douglas County Aid to Bridges to replace the Hammond Avenue Bridge as it was no longer safe. In 2020, the Town entered into a contract with Eagle Waste, a year later Eagle Waste was bought out by Republic Services which in turn took over the Town’s contract. The Town is aware that there are garbage and recycling pickup issues from time to time and the contract not being followed. Waste Management is willing to take the Town back but the cost increase would be at least double. Will look at again before the 2023 budget. This time of year is when the Town receives complaints about roads. When the frost is coming out of the roads and we receive rain/snow, the roads are soft and subject to these less than unsatisfactory conditions and sending a 45,000lb grader out on them isn’t a good idea. Town roads have a 55mph speed limit, that doesn’t mean you need to go 55mph – you can help the situation by slowing down. Road crew does the best job they can with the equipment and materials they have. The Town’s old grader is 25 years old, the new grader is 21 years old. The Town needs to soon investigate the purchase of a new grader. Chairman Pete wrapped up his report by thanking Chief Fiegle and the fire department for their dedication and their efforts to keep us all safe, thank you to the garage staff Robbie and Andrew for the work they do to keep the roads open and safe (also commented that there is a part- time guaranteed 20 hour/week position available in the garage and that if anyone knows anyone interested that has a CDL, send them in to apply), thank you to the Town Clerk and Treasurer for the excellent job they do with the books, money and keeping up to date with all the necessary reports and forms, thank you to the Plan Commission who reviews requests from residents and the County Zoning Office and then present their findings to the Town Board, many thanks to Supervisors Conner and Zimmerman for the hours spent outside of meetings so we can stay informed on the latest developments in the town and last but not certainly least, thank you to the residents who attend our monthly meetings on a regular basis. A copy of the report is on file with the clerk. New Business Resident Bill Britton motioned that all ballots will be by show of hands, Joe Hizinski seconded. Motion approved and carried by show of hands. a. After reviewing the current salaries the clerks and treasurers within the municipalities of Douglas County are paid, resident Bill Britton made a motion that the Clerk and Treasurer receive a 60% wage increase effective the next term (April 2023). Clerk yearly salary would be $32,000 and the Treasurer yearly salary would be $18,240. Seconded by resident/Supervisor Bill Conner. 11 yes, 0 no – motion carried unanimously. Discussion that our Town is the largest of all the municipalities and our clerk and treasurer are the lowest paid per capita (same with chairman and supervisors). And also discussed that the clerk position should be an appointed position rather than elected as the job needs someone with experience, will need to be voted on at an election. b. After reviewing the current salaries the chairman’s and supervisor’s within the municipalities of Douglas County are paid, resident Bill Britton made a motion that the Chairman and Supervisors receive a 50% wage increase effective the next term (April 2023). Chairman yearly salary would be $9,450 and the Supervisor yearly salary would be $8,100. Seconded by Joe Hizinski. 9 yes, 0 no (2 residents had left meeting) – motion carried unanimously. c. Resident/Treasurer Cindy Theien made a motion to put a bid notice out for repair/replacement of the sidewalk as they are 25+ years old and are starting to fall apart. Resident/Clerk Carolyn Jones seconded. 9 yes, 0 no – motion carried unanimously. Put sidewalks and shop door on agenda for the next monthly meeting. d. Resident Bill Britton motioned to give the Board permission to sell the Town sand pit at bid, seconded by Joe Hizinski. 9 yes, 0 no – motion carried unanimously. Next Annual Meeting Resident/Fire Chief Darryl Fiegle motioned and resident Joan Thompson seconded to set the next annual meeting for April 18, 2023 at 7pm. 9 yes, 0 no - motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:53 pm. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn Jones, Clerk DRAFT MINUTES 4-20-22 MINUTES APPROVED ON _____ of _________, 2023 CHAIR CLERK _