Town Board — Minutes

TOWN BOARD MEETING November 12, 2024 The Town Board of the Town of Cooperstown, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, convened in open session on November 12, 2024, 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 David Blakeslee, Sup. Hank Kouba, Sup. Anthony Shibler, Clerk Susan Kornely, Treasurer Bernadette Duescher, and Constable Kelly Kane. Others present: Jacob Heiser, Denmark News. Eight residents were present. The agenda has been publicly noticed at the one posting site and on the town website. On a motion by Sup. Shibler and seconded by Chairman Blakeslee, moved to approve the agenda as presented. Motion passed. On a motion by Chairman Blakeslee and seconded by Sup. Kouba, moved to approve the minutes for October 8, 2024 Town Board Meeting as amended. Motion passed. On a motion by Sup. Kouba and seconded by Chairman Blakeslee, moved to approve the minutes for October 22, 2024 Closed Board Meeting as amended. Motion passed. On a motion by Sup. Kouba and seconded by Sup. Shibler, moved to approve the minutes for October 22, 2024 Special Town Board Meeting as amended. Motion passed. Reports Treasurer’s Finance Report – presented by the Treasurer. Road and Maintenance Equipment Report – Chairman Blakeslee reported the mower has been disconnected, Pautz Rd culvert has been reinstalled. Posts are being installed for snow fencing. Industrial Waste Hauling Report – Chairman Blakeslee had no report. Constable Report – Constable Kane reported horses have been returned and a cow returned to farm. Plan Commission Report – Chairman Blakeslee had no report. Building Inspector Report - Building Permits: Binish – farm shop/hair salon, Korsten- shipping container. LaCourt- HVAC inspection, Duckart - shed. Inspections: none. Razing Permit: none. Utility Permit Report – issued to WPS for property on Marshek Rd. Transfer Station Report – Sup. Shibler reported no issues. Bridge/Culvert Reports – Chairman Blakeslee reported ARPA 50/50 culvert projects have been installed. Public comments and suggestions from residents of the town and other person’s present. Dave Chapman thanked the town for fixing the dip in Devils River Drive. Report of pothole on Cooperstown Rd. Brian Swetlik asked to speak under agenda item#1. Public Hearing Discussion on damned waterway issues between Tom Keehan and Brian Swetlik – Brian Swetlik spoke about a French drain installed on neighbor’s property that is caused his woods to be flooded by the neighbor’s runoff. Brian spoke with the EPA on the tiling that was installed in the wetland. Brian installed a road to access his property, planted trees, and is unable to access the wooded area. Manure runoff into the tile is an issue. A permit was not issued by the DNR for the French drain. The Swetlik asked the board to read the letter they presented. The Board cannot take any action on this issue. Discussion and action on eliminating skid steer usage cost and wage expenses – The board discussed the use of forks for loading. On a motion by Sup. Shibler and seconded by Sup. Kouba, moved to purchase forks for $250. Motion passed. Discussion and action on debris violations: 12512 CTH R, 18426 CTH R, 17807 CTH R, 18434 CTH R, 17930 CTH R, 8823 & 8617 Zander Rd-County Investigation - the County is addressing the two junk ordinance issues and letters have been sent. Debris/brush & grass cutting on the other properties have been cleaned up or are still being addressed. 17807 CTH R has not paid the $100 fine, and the fine will be added to the tax bill as a special assessment. No action. Discussion and action on Roadman projects, work schedules (PT employees) – snow fencing has begun, plows are ready, grader is being worked on. No action. Discussion and action on replacement of tractor/mower for 2025 budget – Board discussed the purchase of a boom mower or bat wig mower. Approximately $22,000 for a bat wig. On a motion by Chairman Blakeslee and seconded by Sup. Shibler, moved to price out a bat wing for next meeting. Motion passed. Discussion and action on bids for sale on boom mower- only one bid was previously received. On a motion by Sup. Shibler and seconded by Sup. Kouba, moved to post sale of boom mower and accept bids at December meeting. Motion passed 2/1. Chairman Blakeslee voted nay. Discussion and action on 2024 Newsletter – Board reviewed the 2024 Newsletter and made an adjustment on the Fire Number section. No action. Manitowoc County Towns Association Unit Meeting – December 5th @ 6:00- 6 people will be attending. Ordinances, Resolutions and Agreements Resolution 2024-05 Resolution Approving Wages Effective January 1, 2025 – On a motion by Sup. Shibler and seconded by Sup. Kouba, moved to approve the wages Resolution with the addition of Steve Post(Transfer Site) at $16.50. Motion passed. Resolution 2024-06 Resolution of the Town Board Proposing to Exceed Levy Limit Via Town Meeting – On a motion by Chairman Blakeslee and seconded by Sup. Shibler, moved to approve Resolution 2024-06 Resolution of the Town Board Prosing to Exceed Levy Limit via Town Meeting. Motion passed. Resolution 2024-07 Authorizing to Amend the 2024 Budget- On a motion by Sup. Shibler and seconded by Sup. Kouba, moved to approve Resolution 2024-07 Authorizing to Amend the 2024 Budget. Motion passed. Joint Powers Agreement between Manitowoc County Joint Dispatch Center and Town of Cooperstown – On a motion by Sup. Shibler and seconded by Sup. Kouba, moved to approve the Joint Powers Agreement between Manitowoc County Joint Dispatch Center and the Town of Cooperstown. Motion passed. Procedural Motions by members of town board On a motion by Sup. Shibler and seconded by Sup. Kouba , moved to approve all checks including MTA Dinner meeting check as presented. Motion passed. Future agenda: Dec 3rd: Discussion and action on eliminating skid steer usage cost and wage expenses, Discussion and action on debris violations: 12512 CTH R, 18426 CTH R, 17807 CTH R, 18434 CTH R, 17930 CTH R, 8823 & 8617 Zander Rd-County Investigation, Discussion and action on replacement of tractor/mower for 2025 budget, Discussion and action on bids for sale on boom mower On a motion by Chairman Blakeslee and seconded by Sup. Shibler, moved to adjourn. Motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 p.m. Minutes approved December 3, 2024 Susan Kornely, Clerk