Village Board — Minutes

MINUTES November 12, 2025 The Regular Board Meeting of the Village Board was called to order by Village President, Robert Spurley on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 6:33 p.m. at the Village Hall. Roll Call: John Trace, Stephen Troester, Larry Dale Schultz, Jason Cartwright, Doug Rider, Denny Rickard, Robert Spurley. Absent: None Employees: Sue Lindner, Randy Kitelinger, Mike Silvers, Alan Schrank Citizens: None Consent Agenda: Approval of October 2025 Regular Board minutes Approval of October 22, 2025 Special Board minutes Approval of October 2025 Treasurer’s reports. Motion by Denny Rickard seconded by Doug Rider to approve the consent agenda as presented. Motion carried 7-0. Presidents Correspondence: None Clerk/Treasurer Correspondence: Sue Lindner reported that she has training in Dodgeville on Tuesday, November 18th for the upcoming tax season. Staff Reports: Sewer/Water/Public Works Randy Kitelinger reported that the sewer plant was running good and the sludge has all been hauled. The cemetery and park have been winterized. They have been sweeping the streets to try and get all the leaves picked up. The filters were replaced in the street sweeper, and it is running well. Randy told the board that the alternator went out of the Brigadier and that it had been replaced. Randy picked up the carbide cutting edge blade for the plow. Randy is trying to use up vacation time but is available if needed. Police Correspondence: Alan Schrank said that he had two junk vehicles removed and mailed letters for two other unregistered vehicles. Alan reported that alternate side parking starts on November 15th. He plans on working on house numbers this winter & spring, ensuring that every house has them and they are visible. He’s working with public works to have the old outdated UTV 10 mile per hour signs taken down. Alan is working on the ordinance book and said new pages will be updated. Alan had A.B. electric replace the lights in the police department office with new LED lights for $370 and worked with them to secure a focus on energy rebate for $50. Alan also said that he would like to see a small first aid kit purchased for the municipal building. He would also like to look into getting drug drop-off boxes. Alan reported that he has been working on an inventory of the police department and will be putting it all into an Excel worksheet. Alan told the board that the batteries in the speed reader trailer were bad and he will be waiting until spring to get them replaced. Committee Reports: None Old Business: Mike Silvers explained more about the company Com 2 Recycling who will provide a bin free of charge for the disposal of electronics. The board would sign a contract with them to dispose of the electronics. Larry Dale Schultz made a motion and seconded by John Trace to approve signing a contract with Com 2 Recycling. Motion carried 7-0. New Business: The village auditors, Johnson Block, had suggested that the village raise sewer rates by at least 35% due to sewer losses in the last two years. After much discussion, Jason Cartwright made a motion and seconded by Denny Rickard to increase the sewer rates by 15% starting with the January 2026 billing. Motion passed 7-0. Rates will be reviewed later in the year to see if another increase will be needed. Sewer Budget – Tabled until the December Meeting Water Budget - Tabled until the December Meeting Fire chief Kevin Liddicoat requested that the fire department be able to list for sale the Spartan Fire Engine 2 on Brindley Mountain Fire Apparatus for $20,928. Jason Cartwright made a motion and seconded by Stephen Troester to list the Spartan Fire Engine 2 on Brindley Mountain Fire Apparatus for $20,928. Motion passed 7-0. The Linden Fire Department asked to purchase a new gas meter for $1240.00. They have a $500 grant from Alliant Energy to go towards the purchase of the new meter. The remaining amount of $740.00 would be coming out of their 2026 budget. Motion by Jason Cartwright and seconded by Denny Rickard to approve the purchase of the gas meter. Motion passed 6-1. The Linden Fire Department asked to purchase two new fire helmets for $882.00 to replace some of the ageing helmets. Jason Cartwright made a motion seconded by Stephen Troester allowing the Linden Fire Department to purchase two new helmets for $882.00. Motion passed 7-0. Alan Schrank inquired about purchasing a solar panel for the Speed Board Trailer, he found one on Amazon for $500.- Tabled until a later meeting. Discussion on zoning & action plan 141 Faull St. – no action taken. The board discussed the charges for John Trace hooking up sewer laterals at Miner’s Park Trailer Park. Jason Cartwright made a motion seconded by Stephen Troester to charge John Trace $1200 per ordinance 51.58 for two sewer lateral installations and pursue having Alan Schrank to write a $187 citation per ordinance 51.50. Motion passed 5-0 with Larry Dale Schultz & John Trace abstain. John Trace told the board that he was resigning from his position as zoning commissioner. John Trace made a motion and seconded by Stephen Troester to approve the 2026 fee schedule. Motion passed 7-0. John Trace made a motion and seconded by Denny Rickard to approve the 2026 contract for Bruce Gardiner Appraisal Services. Motion passed 7-0. Larry Dale Schultz made a motion and seconded by Jason Cartwright to approve the 2026 contract for the Humane Society. Motion passed 6-1. Motion by Denny Rickard and was seconded by John Trace to approve the November 2025 bill list. Motion passed 6-0. Larry Dale Schultz abstained. Motion by Denny Rickard and was seconded by Stephen Troester to adjourn @ 10:14 pm. Sue Lindner/Linden Village Clerk