Regular August Town Board Meeting — Minutes

Regular August Town Board Meeting Minutes Monday, August 17th, 2026 The meeting was posted on August 13th, 2026 at the Bayfield Town Hall and the town website. Chairman Robert Meierotto and Supervisors Robert Feyen, Karen Boutin, Fred Erickson, and Carol Fahrenkrog were in attendance. Clerk Kelly Faye, Treasurer Billie Hoopman, and Road Foreman Carl Butterfield were also present. Chairman Meierotto called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. Public Comment: None. Items for Future Agendas: None. Discussion and possible approval of minutes of Regular Town Board Meeting of July 13th, 2026: A motion was made by Boutin, seconded by Erickson, to approve the minutes. Motion carried. Receive and Place on File Treasurer’s Report: Town of Bayfield Treasurer’s Monthly Report 8/17/2026 GENERAL CHECKING ACCT. 50062 CURRENT ACCOUNT BALANCE $39,735.09 Less Checks Outstanding (To Date) $5,165.57 CURRENT AVAILABLE BALANCE $34,569.52 MONEY MARKET ACCT. 150375 CURRENT ACCOUNT BALANCE $703,096.49 Less Designated Funds: • Growth Incentive Fund $31,550.21 • Pileated Woodpecker Trail (PWT - Hatchery) • Numbers being audited by Clerk, Treasurer and BATS $1,550.88 • Salmo Trail Project: Expenses have exceed Rev. Rcvd. To-date $0.00 TOTAL of Designated Funds $33,101.09 CURRENT AVAILABLE BALANCE $669,995.40 LOANS: BREMER BANK LOANS Loader Star Route Project • Issue Date 2/21/2020 2024 • Maturity Date 2/21/2028 12/05/2028 • Interest Rate: 2.5% 4.2% Original Balance $433,918.28 $1,587,286.00 Last Payment 7/21/2026 - $4,998.52 12/5/2025 - $141,263.72 • $4,794.80 Principal • $121,821.00 • $203.72 Interest • $19,442.72 Current Balance $92,994.17 $365,465.00 Next Payment Due 8/21/2026 = $4,998.52 12/05/2026 - $141,263.72 NOTES: 1. 2nd Quarter Room Tax Report – Attached. 2. Snowplowing invoices are printed and ready for mailing with 2026-2027 contracts once rate settled. 3. Reporting that my laptop is in need of replacement, which was not included in the 2026 budget. Salmo Trail Proposed Project Budget REVENUES: EXPENSES (To-date Actual): Essentia Health Donation $5,000.00 Rcvd. Tamarack Health Donation $5,000.00 Rcvd. Bayfield County Wellness Grant $5,000.00 Awarded/Reimbursable DNR Rec. Trails Program Grant $46,811.00 Awarded/Reimbursable Bats Donations $3,126.00 BATS or Boreal Shores Grant $5,000.00 Rcvd. RFR -8/13/2026 11 Day Passes $110.00 Rcvd. TOTAL CASH $70,047.00 InKind Labor $3,900.00 Estimated InKind Equip $2,000.00 Estimated Tie Downs $26.98 Credit Card Lumber for Bridge $113.10 Ck. 22609 Call for bids / publication $75.39 Ck. 22666 Tractor Supply – Sm. Cart $220.98 Credit Card Tractor Supply – Lg. Cart $257.58 Credit Card Triwonder - Tie Downs $23.98 Credit Card WisCorps – 1st Payment (1/2) $6500.00 Ck. 22780 Bayfield Hardware 7/1 8.34 Charged Scott’s Home & Land Imp. $,1025.00 Ck. 22841 Custom Manufacturing Inc. $40,200.00 Ck. 22836 Bayfield Lumber $139.17 Ck 22847 RFR $495.00 Ck. 22848 Custom Manufacturing $885.00 Ck. 22853 Custom Manfufacturing $1,415.00 Ck. 22868 Bayfield Lumber $58.85 Ck. 22870 Republic Services $64.10 Ck. 22884 Rope for moving bridges 7/10 45.98 Credit Card? Dump Trailer 7/23 296.98 Credit Card? TOTAL $51,851.43 Expenses - Budgeted Custom Manufacturing $40,600.00 Approved Bid 4/2026 Army Corps $13,000.00 Approved Bid 4/2026 Equipment Operator $1200.00 Estimated Consultants/Contractors $2000.00 Estimated Equipment Rental $500.00 Estimated Supplies 0 Estimated Camo Drive Screws $500.00 Estimated Ramp Materials $1760.00 Estimated Gravel $2880.00 Estimated Transport of Materials $2000.00 Estimated Carts to move boardwalk $800.00 Estimated Showers at RFR $500.00 Estimated Dalrymple Campsites $250.00 Estimated TOTAL $65,990.00 Update from Bayfield Area Trails: Kate Kitchell was present and summarized a handout she provided to the Supervisors in advance of the meeting. She provided updates on the progress of the Salmo Lakewalk Trail improvements and the status of the Pileated Woodpecker Trail. She also explained that work is taking place to create a new Bayfield Area Trails 501c3 nonprofit: Report from Pikes Bay Sanitary District: Commissioner Sean Heckman was in attendance. He stated that PBSD voted to allow Phil Peterson’s property to be removed from the sanitary district. This issue will also come to the Town Board and Bayfield County for approval in the future. OLD BUSINESS Discussion and possible action on appointment of Pikes Bay Sanitary District Commissioner to complete term previously held by Michael Mucha who resigned due to residency change: It was reported that Charly Brown has been proposed as the new PBSD Commissioner. A motion was made by Fahrenkrog, seconded by Boutin, to appoint Charly Brown for the vacant seat. Motion carried. Discussion and possible action related to status of three Class A Special Use Permit Applications by Dwayne Truhlsen and Sarah Gasper for the placement of three RVs for over four months located on 5.55-acres located at 33970 Old Kennedy Road - Tax ID 39672. (Plan Commission and Town Board recommended that Bayfield County Zoning Department deny applications at July Meeting): This issue was re-addressed by the Plan Commission at their meeting on August 17th, immediately prior to the Town Board meeting. Their suggestion was to support the decision to deny that was made at the July Plan Commission and Town Board Meetings. A motion was made by Fahrenkrog, seconded by Feyen, to maintain denial of the requests. Motion carried. Discussion and possible action on proposal to make improvements to annual Dumpster Day: Feyen suggested that he has noticed that people have been bringing large loads of items that the town cannot or should not take. He noted that these include cardboard, useable items, and garbage. There is expense involved in disposing of items that should be recycled. He also mentioned that he thinks one lane of traffic flow rather than residents choosing where to go themselves would make the area more organized. It was suggested that the town could pay for a separate recycling dumpster. Discussion took place about whether the town could accept old tires. It was decided that the town could look into funding opportunities/grants to cover the cost of accepting recyclable items and that this issue would be addressed again at a future meeting. Discussion and possible action on 2026-2027 snowplowing rate: Treasurer Hoopman reported that $130 seems to be the top tier of what other communities in Wisconsin charge for private snowplowing. She noted the high cost of diesel, equipment, materials, storage, as well as staff. She suggested it may be justified to raise the rate but it is a decision for the town board. The current rate is $130/hr. Several town board members suggested $150/hr. may be more appropriate. It was suggested that a breakdown of why the rate was going up would be a good idea. A motion was made by Feyen, seconded by Fahrenkrog, to raise the snowplowing rate for 2026-2027 to $150/hr. flat rate. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS Discussion and possible action on ongoing request by Carl French that Trailer Court Road be changed to Trail Court Road: Chairman Meierotto read from advice provided by a Wisconsin Town’s Association attorney on this issue. It was noted that a resident could provide a petition to the town board requesting the change. Discussion took place about the percentage of residents of the road that should agree with the change before the town considers proceeding. It was decided that Chairman Meierotto should email Mr. French to inform him that 100% of the residents of the road would need to agree with the change and that it would have to be sent to the town attorney for review. If he states he still wants to proceed with the request, the town can address the issue at a future meeting. Discussion and possible action on proposal to change the approval process for driveway permits to include the Plan Commission and Town Board review: Plan Commission Chairman Finn suggested at a recent meeting that driveway applications should be reviewed by both the Plan Commission and the Town Board before being approved. It was agreed that this change would be made. Discussion and possible action on driveway applications received since July Town Board Meeting: Two driveway applications were considered- 1. Vicki Tribovich applied for a driveway on Meyers-Olson Road for access to a 5-acre property. A motion was made by Boutin, seconded by Fahrnekrog, to approve. Motion carried. 2. Brian Lambert applied for a driveway to his property in Deerfield Estates. He would eventually like to put a home on the property. He is putting in a new culvert. It was agreed that the request can be approved as long as the applicant understands that the approval is just for the driveway and was not approval for the home. A motion was made by Boutin, seconded by Erickson, to approve. Motion carried. Discussion and possible action related to hiring of Plan Commission Secretary: Discussion took place about the possibility of hiring a Plan Commission Secretary. Possible candidates were suggested. This issue will be addressed at an upcoming meeting. Receive and place on file the correspondence for August 2026: Received 1. Several emails from Kate Kitchell of Bayfield Area Trails reconciling trail expense budget and expenditures. 2. Sixty Absentee Ballots for August 11th Partisan Primary. 3. Email from Carl French requesting name change of Trailer Court Road to Trail Court Road. 4. Email from landowner on County Hwy J requesting information about building road to their back parcel (2 parcels with Tax IDs 34003 and 38281). 5. Bayfield County draft Land Division ordinance that was released on Friday, 8/14/2026. 6. Notice of Final 2026 Equalized Values. Outgoing 1. Federal Payroll Taxes for End of July to beginning of August to US Treasury. 2. WI Payroll Taxes for July to WI Department of Revenue. 3. Three Signed Class A Special Use Applications, Dwayne Truhlsen and Sarah Gasper-applicants, for RV placement over four months at 33790 Old Kennedy Road to Bayfield County Zoning, recommending denial. 4. Letter to Bayfield County Zoning Department related to recommendation to deny Truhlsen/Gasper Class A Special Use Applications and Nold Request for Variance and reasoning for this recommendation. 5. Election Postings: Poll Hours Notice and V oting Equipment Test Notice. 6. Email to poll workers related to August 11th Partisan Primary Election with schedule, sample ballot, and training material. 7. Partisan Primary Election Results to Bayfield County Clerk. 8. Email from Beth Lowthian requesting information on obtaining permission to close road to hold block party on Apple Hill Road on September 26th. 9. Notice of Open Book (September 10th) and Board of Review (September 17th). A motion was made by Boutin, seconded by Erickson, to approve the correspondence. Motion carried. Receive and place on file the Clerk’s Report for July 2026: A motion was made by Fahrenkrog, seconded by Boutin, to approve the Clerk’s Report. Motion carried. Chairman and Supervisor Report: Chairman Meierotto reported that the large culvert replacement on Happy Hollow Road has been completed. Ditching is also taking place along the road. Treasurer Hoopman reported that the Treasurer laptop needs to be replaced. It is failing in that it does not hold a charge and she is not able to print documents. She asked if there was an option to purchase a new one even if it was not in the current budget. It was agreed that there would be extra money in another line to cover the purchase. A motion was made by Erickson, seconded by Boutin, to approve purchase of the laptop. Motion carried. Set date and time for the September Town Board: Monday, September 14th, 2026- 6PM. Reminder of Open Book- September 10th, 2026 3PM-6PM (Town Board does not need to attend) and Board of Review- September 17th, 4PM-6PM (Town Board should attend). Fahrenkrog gave notice that she would not be able to attend Board of Review due to a work requirement and asked that a backup be provided for her. It was agreed that an alternate Board of Review member would be requested. Adjourn: A motion was made by Boutin, seconded by Feyen, to adjourn. Motion carried. Minutes presented by: Kelly Faye, Clerk TOWN OF BAYFIELD CLERKS MONTHLY REPORT 7/10/26 - 8/14/26 DISBURSEMENTS Checks written $89,326.31 Range 22842 22886 BUDGETS vs. ACTUAL July 2026 Y-T-D Budget % of Budget Revenue 126,082$ 1,018,174$ 2,126,396$ 48% Expense 74,598$ 619,932$ 2,126,396$ 29% Balance 51,484$ 398,242$