Town Board Meeting — Minutes

MINUTES—TOWN OF MARION—BOARD OF SUPERVISORS April 17, 2025 The April 17, 2025 meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the Town of Marion was called to order by Chairman Walejko immediately following the Annual Meeting at the Marion Town Hall. Present: Chairman Garrel Walejko, Supervisor Dave Chase, Supervisor Bill Behnke, Clerk Vicki Snyder, Treasurer Karen Savignac, Sheriff’s Deputy Adam Spitler, Barb Bartel, Jim Peirce, Todd Chesbro, Sam Cason, Tom Wood, Bob Savignac. A motion to approve the minutes of the March 13, 2025 meeting was made by Supervisor Chase and seconded by Supervisor Behnke. Motion carried. REPORTS Treasurer’s Report Treasurer Karen Savignac gave the following financial report: The beginning balance in the User Fee account on March 1, 2025 was $8,081.43; a $84.35 deposit was made, $7,963.43 was disbursed, leaving an ending balance of $202.35. The beginning balance in the checking account was $1,130,817.42; deposits of $19,349.13 were made, $211,716.10 was disbursed, leaving an ending balance of $938,450.45. Interest on the User Fee account was 4.34%; checking was 4.15%, and the LGIP 01 account was 4.39%. There was a $37,243.65 balance in the LGIP 01 account on March 1; a deposit of $138.83 was made, $0 was disbursed, leaving an ending balance of $37,382.48. The Property Tax 02 account had a $0 fund balance at the beginning and end of March. Chairman Walejko offered the Treasurer’s Report for audit. Deputy Sheriff’s Report Arrests were made for bail jumping and $100,000 theft. Deputy Spitler received complaints about ATV’s on County Road YY. The new camera equipment and body camera were installed in the squad. PUBLIC COMMENTS Tom Wood, a resident from Alpine Drive, spoke concerning what he feels is the deterioration of Lake Alpine. The muck level has increased, and he is looking for help and guidance from the town. He is concerned about the lake getting to a “mill pond” status. Sam Cason from Cason Lake and Water Management in Berlin, Wisconsin, stated there is a creek flowing into the lake and the lake is getting input from external sources. A study could be conducted to collect data on what is in the lake. Tom Wood stated the Lake Association only has so much money to spend. A permit from the DNR would be required to dig in the creek area. The Alpine Lake Management group is in the process of updating their lake management plan. The vast majority of muck is stream-born. They are looking at improving the inlet by possibly building a structural silt trap, perhaps trapping 70-75% of the silt. Another option to explore would be putting a small silt trap in the creek bed west of the road, and the silt would be pumped out by an excavator. Chairman Walejko stated the Sanitary District wanted to put a septic system around Alpine Lake in the 1990’s. If you want to know if septic systems are contributing to the problem, residents could put dye in the toilet tanks to see if the seepage beds aren’t quite right. Tom Wood stated he wanted the town to know the status of the lake; that no one wants to swim and the fishing is degrading. Chairman Walejko suggested they do a study, with a permit from the DNR because the town would welcome the input. The town could help with some of the costs, but suggests the group try to obtain grants to assist. SPECIFIC MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION BY THE TOWN BOARD: The Town Board and Treasurer were sworn in to their respective offices for the next two-year term. Wautoma Police Chief Mott stated there will be 3 more officers sworn in next month. Chairman Walejko said if the Water Patrol wanted to move a boat to a different lake, they should use the Water Patrol boat from Irogami. a. A motion was made by Supervisor Chase to approve the Initial Resolution to abandon and discontinue the undeveloped Lake Lucerne road. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Behnke. Motion carried. b. A motion was made by Supervisor Behnke to renew the siren maintenance contract with Emergency Communications Systems. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Chase. Motion carried. c. A motion was made by Supervisor Chase to approve the May 20, 2025 Board of Review date with Bowmar Appraisal. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Behnke. Motion carried. d. A motion was made by Supervisor Behnke to nominate Mary Adams as our representative to the Waushara Tourism Resource Commission. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Chase. Motion carried. e. A motion was made by Supervisor Chase to make the Town of Marion Officer patrol hour shifts the same as the Waushara County Sheriff’s Department. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Behnke. Motion carried. f. A motion was made by Supervisor Behnke to approve “No Powerloading” signs to be made by the county for 7 boat launch locations. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Chase. Motion carried. APPROVAL OF PAYMENT OF CURRENT BILLS was motioned by Supervisor Chase and seconded by Supervisor Behnke. Motion carried. Supervisor Behnke made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Chase. Motion carried. Vicki Snyder, Clerk Town of Marion