Town Board — Minutes

TOWN OF FOND DU LAC FOND DU LAC COUNTY ANNUAL MEETING APRIL 15, 2025 7:00 PM The Annual Meeting was called to order by Chairman Jeff Montsma. Present were Chairman Montsma, Supervisors Aaron Kuhls, Jessica Allender, Jennifer Janeczko, and David Washkoviak, Clerk Patti Supple, Treasurer Brenda Post, Attorney Matt Parmentier and various Town residents. Confirmation was made of open meeting notice. Motion by John Zorn and seconded by James Supple to dispense with the reading of the minutes. Motion carried. There were no additions to the minutes. Motion was made by Chairman Montsma and seconded by Supervisor Washkoviak to approve the minutes. Motion carried. 2. The 2024 Condensed Report of the Board Audit was presented. Chairman Montsma noted that over the last couple of years 3 different accountants have worked on the accounts. The City was paid two years of ambulance payments in 2024. The ARPA funding has all been paid out. There was an increase in shared revenue. There being no more comments or questions, motion was made by James Supple and seconded by Jeff Spanbauer to approve the 2024 Board Audit. Motion carried. 3. DeanBirshbach, Fire Chief During 2024, the Town Fire Department responded to 80 fire calls and 199 Emergency Medical Responses. The Department has 30 members, 7 of which are women. Approximately 802 hours were spent in responding to these alarms. In addition, 802 hours were spent on training. A couple years ago the Fond du Lac Fire and Rescue formed an Explorer program for 16- 18 year olds. The Town teamed up with the Explorer Program through the Town Cadet program. Forming the partnership allows each department to add their own unique aspects to the program. This partnership is working well and is a win-win for both departments. A recruitment and retention committee was formed to help with ideas on recruiting and retaining personnel. Several members have been added the last year and a half. Two members retired this last year: Captain Brian Kennedy was a training officer and had 22 years of service: Captain Tony Esposito was the PIO and had 29 years of service. Thank you to both for their dedicated service. Thank you to the Town Board for their support. I look forward to working with the Board in the coming years. The Town of Fond du Lac Volunteer Fire Department and Emergency Medical Responders are always looking for Town residents to join the Department. Please contact a member of the Department if you are interested. 4. Sanitary District Reports SD #2 Brian Balson. No raise in rates is expected at this time. The Treatment plant upgrade has been paid through this year and are reviewing options for the upcoming upgrades. There is no room for growth in the district. There are plans to change the billing. SD #3 and #6 Jeff Montsma. We continued to lead the way in activity in both SD 3 & 6 in 2024, which we believe were completed for the best interest of the district, current and future state. SD 3&6 districts boards took the following actions: 1. Worked with Dan Mc McCullough from Midwest Meter, Sue Nitschke from Micro Link and Doug Schneider from Total plumbing to roll out installs, activation and billing of the new digital meters and end points. 2. Last of final quarterly billings for users for the hardware, software and service cost installs are being billed the first quarter of 2025. 3. We are beginning to see admin savings on time, and plan to share them at one of our SD 3&6 quarterly meeting in 2025 once we have more quantitative data. 4. Dan Mc McCullough from Midwest Meter trained our DPW lead Harold Haney to complete install and activate meters and cellular end points. 5. Supported Town SD #4 with information, process on new meter and cellular endpoints and reiterated the opportunity to “buy in” to the shared software with their accounting firm. Timeline TBD. 6. We completed some line inspections and televising, along with paying for excavating corrections with previously installed laterals in a few areas within SD #3, including sealing manhole risers and manhole covers. 7. Replaced a lift pump motor on Rogersville Road lift station 8. Water infiltration continues to be a need to investigate, we will be address with additional televising in 2025. 9. Considered the addition of sewer line down Dixon Road. This was tabled for reconsideration in 2030 or earlier if septic failures increase along that road. 10. Additional project costs assessed to our SD and the entire OSG group, coming at us for projects over the next 10 years. 5. Chairmans Reportt. 2024Town of Fond du lac Year in Review 2024 continued to be a year of transition and putting in the extra work for the team up here. Through this process we said thank you to retiring Supervisor Eric Kaufman, and people elected Aaron Kuhls to the Supervisor 1 role and re-elected Jennifer Janezcko as Supervisor 3. In the area of personnel, we as a board went through several iterations of promoting, recruiting, interviewing and hiring for the full time DPW lead, of which we are happy to report we hired Harold Haney in early December last year. A few other highlights: 1. Worked through 2023 audit with Vesta Accounting group. Noting we discovered, we cannot, as a Town just have a financial review instead of an audit due to bonding requirement from Ehlers on Water Tower loan. Refinancing the loan was considered but due to the age of the loan and higher interest rates in current market that it was not feasible or justifiable. FYI…Cost difference between a full audit and review is $28k vs $10-15k a. Treasurer Brenda Post and Town Clerk Patti Supple continue to adapt to and settle in more on the new accounting system and chart of accounts b. Team Develop a new Budget process and accounting reporting for board 2. Transferred Planning Commission administrative roles to Clerk Supple, from Planning commission Secretary Jess Allender. With this, budgeted for Deputy Clerk for 2025. 3. Completed a Town wide market re-appraisal with Bowmar in 2024. 4. In partnership with FdL County Highway Department resurfaced Dixon Road and River Bend Road. We re-grated portions, added recycled asphalt and added bulb at end of Pastwood Lane. 5. Cracked filled and shouldered several roads to help with maintenance of those roads. 6. Continued with our partnership with Fond du Lac County Sheriff Department in contracting 8 hours per week of Patrol and Town Ordinance enforcement with Officer Ed Salmeron and Sheriff Department team. 7. Added and began enforcing sight lines and vision triangles at intersections to help improve safety for all on our roads and intersections. 8. Water Utility District had repairs for aged booster pumps. 9. Purchased a new Kubota tractor for mowing Simon’s Park along with buying forks to create a general utility tractor for park and Town needs. 10. At our Simons Park we re-stained the pavilion, seeded down the lower 3-acre parcel field of Simons Park into Wisconsin Prairie Wildflowers, began foundation of walking trail around field, continued to trim back trees for improved esthetic appeal. 11. $8.7 Million in new construction value in our Town last year, including 16 new homes and added commercial businesses. 12. 131 various permits issued and paid, netting $95k in fees for our Town. 13. According to Bowmar, our Assessor, the Town of Fond du Lac 2nd largest increase in new construction value, behind Town of Taycheedah. 14. Worked with Planning Commission to add missing and enhance current ordinances as it related to a variety of items within the Town. 15. Added more volunteers to our election team and hosted two elections, including one of the largest turn outs for Presidential elections last November, with 97% turn out of registered voters in our town and close to 10% same day new voter registrations. 16. Worked with Chief Birschbach to consider purchaseof used crew cab fire truck for Station #2 to happen in 2028. Thanks to Chief Birschbach and leadership team & all volunteer firefighters, EMR’s for their service to the Township. Great job building the team. 17. We hosted our Second annual, Trunk or Treat events and added some Christmas lighting at Simons Park. As we shared in our annual newsletter in 2024, we plan to dedicate more time to planning for our Town’s infrastructure, green space, and safety going forward. Each area is a key piece to our commitment to make our Town of Fond du Lac the premier Township in the County for residences and businesses to consider their home. My focus for 2025 is the Following: • Continue to learn the process of governance. • Further build relationships and collaboration with other neighboring municipalities • Sure up our road plan moving forward with DPW lead and board • Continued focus on Safety in our Town • Promote the Diversity of our Great Town, which holds its unique blend of foot of the lake homes, rich rural farmland, rural suburban living, commercial, industrial and hospitality businesses and the great parks, trails and rivers that transcend our Town of Fond du Lac. 6. Old Business-none 7. New Business: Brian Balson noted the Town is having trouble finding funding for the upgrades to the Fire Department Equipment. He is recommending the Town implement, if possible, a mil tax for fire protection. He noted the cost of equipment is exorbinant, but the Department must have the ability to upgrade equipment to keep current with requirements. By creating a revenue stream that is consistent, it allows for better planning. Attorney Parmentier noted the residents of the Town have the binding authority to raise money and levy taxes, however, numbers are needed from the Department of Revenue in order to assess for funding. The present option is to allow the Board to look into options for funding. Chairman Montsma noted there is a definite need but hard numbers are needed for the levy and what the money would be used to purchase. Brian Balson made the motion to check into funding options to replace fire equipment. Seconded by Duncan Seffern. Jeff Spannbauer noted that the Department should look into how the money is being spent and to better keep in mind expenses. Motion carried 17 aye 0 nay. The Lange family wants to purchase the abandoned waterway adjacent to 810 Grove Street. They have been upgrading and maintaining the property per the approval of the former Chairman. Purchase price is $1.00 with all closing costs and Attorney fees to be paid by the purchasers. The City is not opposed to the purchase. Motion was made by Chairman Montsma and seconded by Treasurer Post to approve the transfer of ownership with all costs being born by the Lange’s and purchase price to be $1.00. Motion carried 19 aye 0 nay. The next Annual Meeting is scheduled for April 21, 2026 at 6:00 pm at the Town Hall, W5990 Pioneer Road. Motion by Chairman Montsma and seconded by Supervisor Kuhls. Motion carried. Motion was made by John Zorn and seconded by Catherine Seffern to adjourn. Motion carried. Submitted by Patti Supple, Town Clerk