Village Board — Minutes

Minutes October 8, 2025 The regular board meeting of the Village Board was called to order by Village President, Robert Spurley on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at 6:30 P.M. at the Village Hall. Roll Call: Robert Spurley, Denny Rickard, Stephen Troester, Larry Dale Schultz, Doug Rider Absent: John Trace, Jason Cartwright Employees: Mike Silver, Alan Schrank Citizens None Consent Agenda Motion by Larry Dale Schultz seconded by Denny Rickard to approve the consent agenda as presented. Motion carried 5-0. Presidents Correspondence None Clerk / Treasurer Correspondence 2026 budget Village Board meeting Wednesday, October 22 immediately following the special Village Board 6 P.M. meeting for Linden Volunteer Fire Department. Staff Reports Sewer / Water / Public Works Randy Kitelinger see written submitted report. Mike Silvers water department is good. Change to water meters from water meter vendor. The current water meter model is no longer made at $120 per water meter. The new water meter model is plastic at $175 per water meter. With the new plastic water meter model it is anticipated there will be freezing and breaking issues if not protected properly from the cold winter weather. The Village Board will investigate adding the new plastic water meter replacement cost to the fee schedule. A policy / procedure / ordinance could be drafted. The purpose would be if it is determined to be the property owner / tenant fault for the water meter damage, the cost of the replacement of a new water meter would be the property owner / tenant responsibility. Police Travis Wasley 706 Franklin Street served letter by USPS on 10/2/2025 violation ordinance 94.36 (A). Given 30 days to comply. John Florence 448 Main Street served 2 letters in person on 9/29/2025 violation ordinance 94.36 (A) Given 30 days to comply & 94.37 (A) Given 14 days to comply. The All Traffic Solutions Shield 12 speed display board was originally purchased 1/31/2014. The 2 rechargeable batteries are the original batteries. The batteries no longer hold a significant charge and need replacement. A quote will be presented at the November Village Board meeting. Fire Kevin will be taking Engine 1 to the Iowa Grant Schools on Friday, October 10 at 8 A.M. The Cobb & Linden Fire Departments will teach fire safety to the students. October 5 – 11 is national fire prevention week. On 9/20/2025 Awarded FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant. Grant # EMW-2024-FG-06441 performance period 9/27/2025 – 9/26/2027. Awarded $38,065.71 does require 5% match $1,903.29. The 5% grant match the LVFD has already been fundraised. This grant award is for an NFPA complaint skid unit ultra-high pressure for fire attack. Bids will be obtained and brought to a future Village Board meeting for consideration / approval prior to purchase. Engine 1 was serviced at Larry’s Service Station. Oil change on engine motor & generator, greased inspected & annual DOT inspection. All regular annual service was completed with no issues noted. Hose testing will be conducted by the Volunteer Firefighters on 10/9/2025. This is an annual pressure timed test of all hoses on fire trucks. The fire hose is inspected for any defects and if none are found the hose is then drained, dried and placed back onto the fire trucks. Firefighter Patrick Holtzman has requested and been approved to go to honorary firefighter status. Anyone that would like to volunteer as a firefighter we need members. The fire department has monthly meetings / trainings on the 2nd & 4th Thursday at 7 P.M. New interested volunteers are always welcome to stop at the fire station. SWTC College has a grant funded entry level firefighter training starting October 22 hosted at the Dodgeville Fire Department. The training is 60 hours and the minimum training requirement to be a firefighter within the State of Wisconsin. Linden Volunteer Fire Department Farmers Savings checking account has transferred $15,000 to a “CD” at Farmers Savings Bank. For the past 15 + years the Mineral Point Fire Department Incorporated has provided fire protection automatic aid to the Village of Linden Monday – Friday 6 A.M. – 6 P.M. at no cost. Recently with 6 firefighter retirements LVFD Fire Chief Kevin Liddicoat & Assistant Fire Chief Doug Rider had a meeting with the MPFD Inc. Fire Chief Devin Walrack 1st Assistant Fire Chief Aaron Yanna & 2nd Assistant Fire Chief Troy Ludlum. The purpose of the meeting was to request 24 hours a day automatic aid for fire protection until LVFD could gain more firefighters. MPFD Inc. approved the automatic aid request on a temporary basis with no end date in place at this time. In the future if any charge of $ is required by MPFD Inc. this will be brought to the Village Board for consideration / approval. The hope is that LVFD can obtain new volunteer firefighters to avoid extending the automatic aid for fire protection by MPFD Inc. at a cost to the Village of Linden. Committee Reports Street Committee Continue to discuss the best cost-effective option for Dodgeville Street. Seal coating $6,000 - $8,000 budgeted goal to have Galena Street, Hawke Avenue, Washington Street, Church Street completed. Sidewalk replacement on Main Street from Elizabeth Street to Church Street. Concrete at main entrance to Village Hall needs replacement. Obtaining bids from contractors. Park Committee Joe Hamilton $1,000 to drop the tree at the Village Park on north side of gravel parking lot. Village will do the work themselves with a lift device to cut the tree down. Old Business None New Business Mineral Point Rescue Squad presented a contract for EMS services for year 2026. The contract includes a 3% increase totaling $24,703 from year 2025 rate of $23,984. Motion by Denny Rickard seconded by Stephen Troester to approve EMS contract as presented. Motion carried 5-0. Mike Silvers presented an electronics recycling option with “Com 2 recycling” located in Illinois. This would be at no cost to the Village and a way for Village residents to dispose of unwanted electronics. Mike will bring more information to the Village Board at the November meeting. Monthly Bills Motion by Doug Rider seconded by Denny Rickard to approve the October 2025 Village bills list. Motion carried 4-0. With Larry Dale Schultz abstaining. Adjourn Motion by Stephen Troester and seconded by Doug Rider to adjourn at 7:47 P.M. Motion passed 5-0. Minutes typed by: Chief of Police Alan Schrank