Town Board Meeting — Minutes

TOWN OF FOND DU LAC FOND DU LAC COUNTY MONTHLY MEETING JANUARY 12, 2026 6:00PM PUBLIC HEARING The Public Hearing on Winnebago Lutheran Academy concept plan was presented. Planning Commission approved concept plan at Planning Commission meeting on December 16, 2025. There were no representatives from WLA or Excel Engineering present at the Town Board Meeting. Community concerns raised were: 1 - Entry on/off Hwy 23 and traffic concerns regarding turn lanes 2 - Speed limit on Hwy 23 is 55mph, which is also a concern The town will follow-up with Excel Engineering and DOT regarding confirmation of approval of access off of Hwy. 23. Atty. Parmentier stated the Town Board can require a traffic study. Town options at this time are to 1-Approve the concept plan, 2-Approve conditionally, 3-Delay action for traffic study. A development agreement will need to be made in the future regarding utilities. Chairman Montsma stated before speed study can be done the roundabout at Esterbrook Road would need to be completed. The town will confirm DOT is onboard with access off of Hwy 23 as WLA plan is currently, with confirmation in writing. Community member Lisa Rolfe recommended that town residents attend the Fond du Lac County Traffic Safety Commission quarterly meeting. WLA is on agenda for the January 20 Planning Commission Meeting to review a CSM, Rezone and amendments to the Development Agreement. Public Hearing was adjourned. MONTHLY MEETING The Monthly Meeting was called to order at 6:17pm by Chairman Jeff Montsma. Present were Chairman Montsma, Supervisors Aaron Kuhls, Jessica Allender, Jennifer Janeczko, and David Washkoviak; Clerk Patti Supple, Treasurer Brenda Post, Deputy Clerk Theresa Klapperich, Attorney Matt Parmentier and various Town residents. Confirmation was made of Open Meeting notice. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Minutes from the previous 12/8 Monthly and 12/23 Insurance Proposal Meetings were approved as presented with one spelling correction on page 2 of the monthly meeting. 4. Discussion and possible action on Winnebago Lutheran Academy concept plan. Supervisor Washkoviak requests a DOT approved traffic plan be required for approval. The concept plan does show that there is a turn lane and a by-pass lane off of Hwy 23 as well as access to County Road OOO. Motion made by Supervisor Washkoviak to require DOT approval of traffic plan, a 1 traffic study and approval of DOT for access as part of a special exception before final approval is given. Seconded by Supervisor Janeczko. Approved and Motion Carried 5-0. 5. Discussion and action regarding conditional acceptance of Streblow Drive punch list items. Chairman Montsma stated punch list items were supposed to be completed by Fall 2025 but were unable to be completed. Attorney Parmentier will be drafting a Special Charge Agreement that all punch list items will be completed by October 1, 2026, or the contractor will be billed for any costs incurred by the Town to complete the punch list. It will also allow the costs incurred to be added to the tax bill if not paid. The Special Charge Agreement will release the contractor from renewal of road bond and original line of credit. Motion made by Chairman Montsma to allow letter of credit with contractor lapse and have Attorney Parmentier draft a special charge agreement and he be authorized to sign the agreement. Motion seconded and approved. Motion carried 5-0 6. Discussion and possible action on resolution of support for Fond du Lac County ATV/UTV route addition request. Proposal made to open up more county roads requested by the County Executive. Specifically, County V, from Kelly Road South-Southeast to County K for ATV/UTV traffic. This roadway is shared by the Town of Fond du Lac and Town of Byron. The Town of Byron and Fond du Lac Hwy Committee have already approved their portion. Motion approved and carried 5-0 at county highway committee. Motion to accept opening ATV/UTV traffic on County V, from Kelly Road South- Southeast to County K for ATV/UTV traffic was made by Supervisor Washkoviak, seconded by Supervisor Janezco. Motion approved and carried 4 ayes-1 nay, Supervisor Allender. Further discussion was had on additional routes for access to more citizens on County K and for additional safety routes on County D. Motion to accept opening ATV/UTV traffic on County K at County V north to State Highway 45 was made by Chairman Montsma and Seconded by Supervisor Washkoviak. Motion approved and carried 5-0. Motion to accept further opening of ATV/UTV traffic on County D, from Brown Road south to Miranda Way was made by Supervisor Washkoviak and seconded by Chairman Montsma Motion Approved and carried 5-0. Note that Town/Taxpayers will not incur any costs for this application or signage on this route. All costs to be paid by Oakfield UTV/ATV Club and/or Eden Trail Runners UTV/ATV Club. 7. Discussion and action regarding FY26 Interoperable Radio Grant Resolution for Fire Department. Chief Birschbach has applied for a grant. A requirement of grant is user agreement with WISCOM and we will be eligible for it. It is an 80/20 grant. Agreement is that the Town 2 needs to approve a resolution that they will pay 20% of total grant, not to exceed $10,000. Motion by Chairman Montsma, second Supervisor Allender to approve the resolution allowing the Town to pay for up to $10,000.00 for the radios. Motion approved and carried 5-0. 8. Hire a new plow driver. Individual decided against applying. Rate is $20/hour with a CDL license for a new plow driver. We would need a motion to approve between this meeting and now. Motion made by Supervisor Janeczco, seconded by Supervisor Allender to allow the Chairman to hire a snowplow driver at the rate mentioned above. Motion approved and carried 5-0. 9. Discussion regarding improvement needs for Simon Riverside Park. The town currently does not have a cost from the County for walking trail. Will be received and discussed at the February Board Meeting. The town received a tentative quote from Smith Builders for a 30'x30' building with bathrooms for $200,000 - $250,000, plumbing included. Landscaping is not included in the quote. Quotes being obtained to help the Town Board decide on what the increase on impact fees for the parks will be in the future. Once quotes are received Town can complete a Needs Assessment, which identifies deficiencies with parks, improvements needed, costs associated and calculations/projections to create how impact fees are assessed. The fee will be spread across new construction and development in the Town. Towns have to use impact fees within 8 years of collection. The town suggested taking out a loan for the improvements. Electors would need to approve. Impact fees are approved by the Town Board. The town will need to hold a workshop meeting to address all aspects of improvements for parks. There was an emphasis on the impact fee set before the heavy building permit season starts. Decision made to table this discussion for a future meeting. 10. Andrew Zehren requested a streetlight at the corner of County Road K and Reinhardt Road. The town has requested a quote and will receive a quote by the next monthly meeting. The quote will be presented at the February Town Board Meeting for motion. 11. Discussion and possible action regarding development agreement amendment for expansion of Esterbrook Estates subdivision. Supervisor Washkoviak recuses himself from discussion other than questions about the history of the project. The subdivision was platted many years ago and is now being built out. The timeline for construction to begin is late 2026, early 2027. A typical development agreement requires financial security from the builder. In this case, the developer is asking the Town to create a development agreement with restrictive covenants that has the developer responsible for construction of all improvements prior to any lots being sold. The Town will research this option. Decision needs to be made on which method of financial security needs to happen between the Town and the Developer. More discussion needs to happen between Town, Attorney and Developer. Chairman Montsma recommends continuing discussion and concept at a later meeting. Decision by Town Board to table this item until a future Board Meeting. 3 12. A. Stormwater Update. The town had a rain event with no issues reported. b and c DPW Update. Shop maintenance, cleaning of trucks, making sure all equipment is ready for the next storm. Supervisor Haney submitted quotes to the Board for a plow truck and second truck which are both having mechanical problems, which are more costly than anticipated. Approval for up to $10,000 of repairs was given. d.Permit Issuer/Inspector not present for update. Safebuilt has not yet sent payment owed to the Town. Zip files have been sent to Final Look Inspections and Deputy Clerk Klapperich is working with Doug Hoerth going through permit files and organizing. 13. There were no Public Comments. 14. Supervisor Washkoviak and Chairman Montsma thanked Supervisor Haney and the plow drivers for their great work on the roads from the past snowstorms. Chairman Montsma shared that the yearly Town audit process has begun with Vesta. The transition between Clerk Supple and Deputy Clerk Klapperich has begun. The Town changed insurance carriers effective January 1, 2026, to Rural Mutual Insurance. Clerk Supple made it known that Supervisor Aaron Kuhls will not be running for re-election this Spring. There will be a primary election on February with 3 candidates: Matt Newton, Scott Blamey and Lisa Rolfe. Deputy Clerk Klapperich continues to learn the budget, election, clerk position requirements. Treasurer Post has been working diligently on tax collection. The last day for in-person tax collection is Wednesday, January 28 at Bristol Morgan Bank. Deputy Birschbach received a $22,865 EMS Funding Award which will be used for EMS funds. Verification of how money is used needs to be sent when money is used. Deputy Birschbach will follow up with Treasurer Post to decide if monies should be set aside in Fire Dept CD until needed. Officer Ed stated the county has changed officer hours to 12 hour shifts with 4 days on, 4 days off. There are more officers on the road now and more coverage and units. The plowing crew is doing a good job. 15. The Board of Appeals has no meetings scheduled. The Planning Commission will meet 4 to review the WLA Certified Survey Map (CSM), rezone and amendment to the Development Agreement and American Auto Site Plan, CSM & site, grading and building plans. FINANCIAL REPORT: December 2025 General Account Received: $29,802.48 General Account Orders: $224,471.04 General Account Balance $383,867.68 Road Bridge & Culvert: $63,877.55 Park Account: $39,925.67 Town Hall CD: $26,875.39 Fire Department CD: $17,109.29 Motion was made by Chairman Montsma and seconded by Supervisor Washkoviak to approve the Financial Report. Motion carried 5-0. PAYMENT OF BILLS: Bills: $327,945.56 Wages: $17365.96 Motion was made by Chairman Montsma and seconded by Supervisor Washkoviak to approve the payment of bills. Motion carried 5-0. The Town Board intends to convene into closed session pursuant to Wis. Stat., § 19.85(1)(g) for the purpose of conferring with legal counsel for the Town who is rendering oral or written advice concerning strategy to be adopted by the Town with respect to litigation in which the Town is or is likely to become involved; and pursuant to Wis. Stat., § 19.85(1)(e) for the purpose of deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session. During the closed session, the Board intends to discuss pending litigation. By voice vote Adjournment. Kuhls, aye; Allender, aye; Janeczko, aye; Washkoviak, aye; Montsma, aye. The Board convened into closed session. Submitted by Theresa Klapperich, Deputy Clerk 5