Town Board Meeting — Minutes

TOWN BOARD MEETING August 12, 2026 The Town Board of the Town of Cooperstown, Manitowoc County Wisconsin, convened an open session on August 12, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., at the Town Hall for the purpose of transacting business as the Town Board. Town Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Pledge of allegiance. Roll Call: Chairman Joe Havlovitz, Sup. Anthony Shibler, Clerk Susan Kornely, Treasurer Bernadette Duescher and Constable Kelly Kane. Others present: Roadman Paul Nelesen and Jacob Heiser, Denmark News. Fifteen residents were present. The agenda has been publicly noticed at one posting site and on the town website. On a motion by Chairman Havlovitz and seconded by Sup. Shibler, moved to approve the agenda as presented. Motion passed. On a motion by Sup. Shibler and seconded by Chairman Havlovitz, moved to approve the minutes for July 14, 2026 Town Board Meeting as presented. Motion passed. Reports Treasurer’s Finance Report – Treasurer Duescher – Last payment on loan #3. Second tax payment next week from the County. Road and Equipment Report/Bridge & Culvert Reports – presented by Roadman Nelesen no culvert report, mowing completed for now, wild parsnip issues were re-address in fast passes. Late fall pass of mowing. Industrial Waste Hauling Report – Chairman Havlovitz reported contact from Duescher for hauling, Nick Propson also reported being contact about hauling. Constable Report – Constable Kane reported dog at large from dog on Rosecrans Road. Dog came after a resident walking on Greenstreet Rd. Manitowoc County took a wild animal in. Treasurer Duescher reported on the outstanding fine and Small Claims collection after a Return Receipt Requested letter was sent but not claimed. The resident claimed he paid the fine, however it was only the Humane Society fee they paid. A letter was sent to the resident on Greenstreet Rd for two dogs that were not registered. Plan Commission Report – Clerk Kornely – no report. Building Inspector Report - Clerk Kornely reported on Building Permits: Hickory Grove Dairy- feed lot, Noth-bath remodel Inspections: none. Razing: none. Utility Permit Report – Clerk Kornely – no report. Transfer Station Report – Chairman Havlovitz reported working fine. A bid will be added for batteries at the Transfer Site. Ends of the batteries will need to be taped to prevent arcing. Violation Report – Treasurer Duescher reported under constable’s report. Public comments and suggestions from residents of the town and other person’s present. Rick Kornely thanked those that applied. Contrary to the position, Hank Kouba worked for me, was the town roadman and was a town supervisor. Requested the board not participate in the mayor presentation of the baseball. James Umentum would prefer Fred Lemmens as supervisor and didn’t like Hank Kouba as supervisor. Mike Albers asked about keeping the grader, instead hiring out. If you sell, consider purchasing a pick-up truck instead. Pat VanGroll served on the town board with Fred Lemens, but not with Hank Kouba. Ryan Collins stated that the new roadman, Paul, is doing a good job. County is spraying the growth inhibitor. Andy Pantzlaff has spoken with Paul and is doing a fine job. Wild Parsnip needs to remain cut to control. Hank Kouba spoke on signage needed on Marshek Rd, Hidden Valley Rd and Nachtwey Rd- loose gravel and low shoulder. Public Hearing Discussion and action on filling a vacancy – town supervisor- Chairman Havlovitz read the four letters that were received. Candidates: Hank Kouba, Fred Lemens, Andy Pantzlaff, and Mike Luebke. Clerk Kornely nominates Hank Kouba, Chairman Havlovitz nominates Mike Luebke, Sup. Shibler nominates Fred Lemens. On a motion Chairman Havlovitz and seconded by Sup Shibler, motion to nominate Mike Luebke as appointment until April 2027. Motion passed. Mike Luebke accepted the appointment. Oath of office issued. Mike took a seat at the board table. Discussion and action on Ambulance Service Proposal and Agreement- Board reviewed the proposal and has agreed to continue service. Contract will need to be signed. Discussion and action on Maribel Fire Department Contract- The 2027 Maribel Fire Department Contract was presented by: Dennis Rabas On a motion by Sup. Shibler and seconded by Sup. Luebke, moved to approve the 2027 Fire Department Contract at the amount of $148,935.66, same cost as 2026. Motion passed. Discussion and action on Chapter 5 additional AI Data Center criteria – fire protection language – no action. Additional discussion in September on taking zoning responsibility back from the County. Discussion and action on WisDOT Ag Roads Improvement Program (ARIP) Round 2 – Chairman Havlovitz discussed with REL on Seasonal Road posting as Class B of Rosecrans Rd. Cost from REL $900 to write the ARIP grant. Forms for farmers and haulers on road usage. Discussion and action on sale of grader and purchase of grading attachment- Chairman Havlovitz spoke on the approx. price to sell $10,000 - $12,000. Darren Huinker from Road Groom Manufacturing will do a demo. Discussion on having Scanlan Road as demo road. Grader is still a usage machine for grading and snowplowing. Dave Blakeslee asked about the running condition or the cost to maintain going forward on the grader. Discussion and action on rust proofing of plow truck – estimate- Paul discussed PROFleetCare the product and annual treatment. He would prefer not to work on permanent oil-based treatment. No action. Discussion and action on estimates on fabrication on Peterbilt box – Paul is working on box holes on the Peterbilt box fabrication pricing. No action. Discussion and action on Operator’s Licenses- On a motion by Sup. Shibler and seconded by Sup. Luebke, moved to approve Vicki Gilbert for operator license. Motion passed. Two applications are still missing copy of certificate, and the third application is pending court case Aug 9th. Discussion and action on 2026 Election Security Subgrant Program MOU – $2000 discussion on $800 for IT service and $1200 for generator back up. Board will investigate a backup generator with inverter. No action. WTA Fall Workshop- September 17th – Green Bay- Clerk Kornely attending, request approval of check for $75. Sup. Luebke will advise Clerk if he can attend. WTA Annual Convention – October 4-6th – Stevens Point- Clerk Kornely attending, request approval of check for clerk. Sup. Luebke will advise Clerk if he can attend. Election Results – available on posting box and website Ordinances, Resolutions and Agreements 2026-08 Ordinance to Amend Code of Ordinances – On a motion by Sup. Sh ibler and seconded by Sup. Luebke, moved to approve Ordinance 2026-08 to Amend Code of Ordinances. Motion passed. Shibler-yes, Luebke-yes Chairman-yes Onward Accounting and Consulting LLC 2026 Contract – On a motion by Sup. Shibler and seconded by Chairman Havlovitz, moved to approve Onward Accounting and Consulting LLC 2026 Contract. Motion passed. Procedural Motions by members of town board On a motion by Sup. Shibler and seconded by Sup. Luebke, moved to approve all checks as presented and Scott Construction which will be sent after September 1st. Motion passed. Correspondence Future agenda: September 8th – Discussion and action on Ambulance Service Proposal and Agreement, Discussion and action on Chapter 5 additional AI Data Center criteria, Discussion and action on WisDOT Ag Roads Improvement Program (ARIP) Round 2, Discussion and action on sale of grader and purchase of grading attachment, Discussion and action on rust proofing of plow truck, Discussion and action on estimates on fabrication on Peterbilt box, Discussion and action on Operator’s Licenses, WTA Annual Convention – October 4-6th – Stevens Point, Discussion and action on 2027 Town Budget Considerations, Discussion and action on Fall Road Review for 2027 budget estimates, Discussion and action on Wages for 2027 Budget and Evaluations, Discussion and action on shop parking lot replacement – 2027 budget, Manitowoc County Unit Meeting- September 17th On a motion by Sup. Shibler and seconded by Sup. Luebke, moved to adjourn. Motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 9:03 p.m. Minutes approved September 8, 2026 Susan Kornely, Clerk