Town Board Meeting — Minutes

TOWN BOARD MEETING February 10, 2026 The Town Board of the Town of Cooperstown, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, convened an open session on February 10, 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. Nick Propson, Sup. Anthony Shibler, Clerk Susan Kornely, Treasurer Bernadette Duescher and Constable Kelly Kane. Others present: Dan Kasten Roadman, County Supervisor James Falkowski and Jacob Heiser, Denmark News. Five residents were present. 7:19 Fred Lemens The agenda has been publicly noticed at one posting site and on the town website. On a motion by Sup. Shibler and seconded by Sup. Propson, moved to approve the agenda as presented. Motion passed. On a motion by Sup. Shibler and seconded by Sup. Propson, moved to approve the minutes for January 13, 2026 Town Board Meeting as presented. Motion passed. Reports Treasurer’s Finance Report – presented by the Treasurer. Tax season is completed, settlement this week. Road and Equipment Report/Bridge & Culvert Reports – Roadman Kasten reported plow light switch wiring on IH repaired, roads have dips, blade on Pete replaced. Chairman Havlovitz Small Structure Grant 6’ to 20’ culverts- 90% covered. Discussion of culverts that may need replacement. Industrial Waste Hauling Report – Chairman Havlovitz – no report. Constable Report – Constable Kane reported one dog taken to the Humana Society. Chairman Havlovitz reported the letter was sent by the Treasurer, but the letter came back. The letter has been sent by text to the owner of the dog. Dog left the property after speaking with the owner. Kane purchased a muzzle. Meeme back up as Constable. Constable meeting- peddlers selling vacuums without permit in other towns. Plan Commission Report – Clerk Kornely – no report. Building Inspector Report - Clerk Kornely reported on Building Permits: none. Inspections: none. Razing: none. Utility Permit Report – Clerk Kornely – no report. Transfer Station Report – Chairman Havlovitz and Sup. Shibler – no report. Violation Report – no report. Public comments and suggestions from residents of the town and other person’s present. Lorri Havlovitz has information to share on AI Data Center and will present under agenda item. Sup. Propson inquired about building a new home on a CTH R property- currently has a trailer on the site-acreage to build. Ryan Collins reported that the Maribel Fire Department will have its annual meeting on February 23rd at 7:00. Cty Supervisor James Falkowski thanked those present for supporting him as our County Representative and gave a recap of AI information from the County. Public Hearing Discussion and action on Building Permit requirements and changes to Chapter 5 General Code of Ordinances – Board reviewed the changes. No action. Discussion and action on Road Salt - usage, current status and next delivery – Chairman Havlovitz discussed the amount of sand and salt mix on hand, 100 tons of mix on hand, 15 tons of salt on hand, wooded areas and intersections a little heavier. The DOT bid for salt will arrive in March for the next season. No action. Discussion and action on County Rescue Services Contract/term June 30, 2026 – future agreement. No action. Discussion and action on Roadman Job Description review and posting – Board reviewed the Overview of a Roadman Job & Roadman Job Description. Discussion on hiring or contracting out the work. Inquiry on what the Town of Gibson pays for snowplowing and grass cutting. The board will need to determine the town’s cost for insurance, rental of the shop, sale or keep equipment. Discussion of running an ad and posting, State Website and Facebook to hire new full-time employee. Board will review and update an ad for March meeting. No action. Discussion and action on Ordinance Committee – No action. Discussion and action on AI Data Center & 2025 Assembly Bill 840 – Lorri Havlovitz reported November 2025, there are about 5427 data centers in the U.S. and about 45% of all data centers globally. Wisconsin is ideal due to fresh water and the colder climate. Wisconsin has 47 data center projects, 3 are in Green Bay, 21 in Milwaukee. Sites site on 25 acres of land and the building footprint of 7190 sq ft. Criticism over environmental concerns of water and electrical use, building additional transmission lines, tax implications, and producing few permanent jobs. Two of Wisconsin’s approved data centers projects alone will need 3.9 GW, which is enough to power 4.3 million Wisconsin homes, week over the current 2.8 million housing units u=in the entire state. Bloomberg found that consumer energy prices have shot up 267% in the last five years in areas near data centers. Suggest the Town of Cooperstown change ordinance for any AI Centers: Price- protect residents from rising energy costs, Transparency- regarding environmental impact by requiring data centers to report on energy and water consumption, Water used by a data center for cooling purposes must be contained in a closed-loop cooling system, Power- ensure corporation covers the costs of their energy needs by preventing to passing on to consumers, Bond or other security in an amount sufficient to cover the estimated cost of fulfilling any required reclamation, if construction of a proposed data center is not completed, the owner must restore the parcel to the condition that existed prior to any construction. Cty. Sup. James Falkowski reported that Manitowoc County is working on writing parameters and plans for development. Public hearings prior to adoption. Discussion on Comprehensive Plan updates and Code of Ordinance Chapter 5 updates to address the changes needed. A draft ordinance of changes will be presented at March meeting. No action. Discussion and action on Town Electronics Recycling Proposal – Discussion on having two processors: electronic and appliances. COM2 sent a proposal for electronics. On a motion by Chairman Havlovitz and seconded by Sup. Propson, moved to approve COM2 for Electronics recycling and Redemption Recycling for appliances. Motion passed. Discussion and action on town road sign replacement – Discussion on change out of signs from 6” to 9” tall – 54 signs need to be replaced plus bracket replacement- reflectivity to become compliant. No action. Ordinances, Resolutions and Agreements Ordinance 2026-02 Ordinance to Amend Code of Ordinances – On a motion by Sup. Shibler and seconded by Sup. Propson, moved to approve ordinance 2026 -02. Roll Call: Havlovitz -yes, Shibler-yes, Propson-yes. Motion passed. Ordinance 2026-03 Ordinance to Amend Code of Ordinances - On a motion by Sup. Shibler and seconded by Sup. Propson, moved to approve ordinance 2026 -03. Roll Call: Havlovitz -yes, Shibler-yes, Propson-yes. Motion passed. Resolution 2026-01 Transportation Resolution – Discussion on wording- no action. Resolution 2026-02 State IA Resolution – Discussion on wording – no action. Procedural Motions by members of town board On a motion by Sup. Shibler and seconded by Chairman Havlovitz, moved to approve all checks as presented and a check for 397.57 for Lange Enterprises. Motion passed. Correspondence Future agenda: March 10th- Discussion and action on Road Salt - usage, current status and next delivery, Discussion and action on Salt Contract, Discussion and action on Roadman Job Description review and posting, Discussion and action on Ordinance Committee, Discussion and action on AI Data Center & 2025 Assembly Bill 840, Discussion and action on Innovation Grant, Discussion and action on Local Small Structure Improvement Program On a motion by Sup. Shibler and seconded by Sup. Propson, moved to adjourn. Motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 9:12 p.m. Minutes approved March 10, 2026 Susan Kornely, Clerk