Annual Meeting — Minutes

TOWN of BELVIDERE ANNUAL MEETING APRIL 15, 2025 – 7 PM COCHRANE VFW POST 10406 Chairman Ron Speltz called the 2025 Annual Meeting to order at 7:00 PM. The Annual meeting was noticed in the Buffalo County News on April 3, 2025 and also posted at the Town Shed Bulletin Board and Cochrane VFW Bulletin Board. Attending the meeting were all old Board Members, appointed Clerk and Treasurer, new Town Supervisor Scott Rolbiecki, 9 resident and 2 non-residents. Copies of 2024 Annual Meeting minutes, 2024 Financial Reports, 2025 2-YEAR Road Plans reports were made available. The Minutes from the 2024 Annual Meeting were presented in lieu of reading. Lonnie Ruff made a motion to approve with Matt Biesterveld seconding. Motion carried. The 2024 Financial Report was presented in lieu of summarizing. Matt Biesterveld made a Motion to approve and Lonnie Ruff seconded. Motion carried. ASSOCIATION REPORTS: TRI-COMMUNITY FIRE DEPARTMENT – Fire Chief Matthew Biesterveld reported there were of total of 44 runs in 2024, including Mutual Aid calls. Belvidere had 14 runs for 13.25 hours. Membership total is 29. He reported all equipment is in good standing with pumper tests. SCENIC VALLEY EMERGENCY AMBULANCE SERVICE – Director Ron Olson reported that SVEMS had 143 calls with 40 non-transports. A total of 4327 miles were logged. Membership is holding their own. They are planning for a new ambulance to be delivered in 2 years. Old ambulance will be traded in. Estimated cost is $300,000 to $325,000. The planned vehicle will be a 4 wd rear suspension FORD F-550. With a large private donation, they are hoping to cover the estimated cost. They will continue to fund raise at a 50/50 drawing at a Mississippi Thunder Race, 4th of July food stand and Buffalo City in the Park events. BBC&M RECYCLING/LANDFILL – Ron Kazmierczak reported good comments with the Waste Transport (Cyrus) contract. Hours are Tuesdays – 3 pm to 7 pm and Saturdays - 8 am to 1 pm. DNR finally approved the lower burn pit area. A new town representation will be appointed Scenic Valley Swimming Pool – Shaun Mann – presented the projected 2025 Budget and Financial Report at $45,875. The 2024 season had 114 yearly memberships and provided swimming lessons to 150 children. They employed 15 Youth and wages were raised. They are requesting the same donation from the Town of Belvidere. There was a total of 15 town memberships (7 single/8 families) Municipal membership is Village of Cochrane, City of Buffalo City, Towns of Belvidere and Milton and City of Fountain City. Town of Waumandee is joining on a trial run in 2025. Fundraisers are continuing with good results. Planned 2025 maintenance will be sandblasting and repainted of the pool in spring. 54th year of operation. HEROLD CEMETERY – Dick Hawes presented the written financial report for the Cemetery from Curtis Noll, Treasurer. Their Annual meeting was held on Sunday, April 13th. He noted there was a monument damaged last summer from mowing which their insurance company denied. The family replaced the stone themselves. Bids are being received for 2025 mowing now. He requested $2,500 from the Town of Belvidere for operating next year. With family memorials the cemetery has an increased net worth. All reports were accepted into record by the Town of Belvidere. Matt Biesterveld made a motion to give the Township “AUTHORITY TO BORROW” for emergency situations – no limit. Fred Maule seconded the motion. Motion carried. Dick Hawes made a motion to set the 2026 ANNUAL MEETING for the 3rd Tuesday in April (April 21, 2026). Scott Rolbiecki seconded the motion. Motion carried. Lee Engfer reported on Buffalo County’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Briar Golden is working on with Towns wanting to revise their old plans. He will be attending an upcoming Town meeting to discuss any changes the town wants with property classifications. Update on BROADBAND – Matt Biesterveld CCT: The Federal “BEAD” grant program is unknown if moving forward. CCT’s application submitted for the Herold area (approximately 17 homes) with the State of Wisconsin is awaiting approval. There exists a possible alternative, with CCT Board approval, to move forward in-house without the grant funds to prevent the lengthy delay. Unknown if TDS will ever bring fiber to this area. 2-YR Road Plan: Ron Speltz presented the plan. In 2024 the last through road was blacktopped. Seal Coating maintenance was also completed. Road inspections show deeper cracks on Belvidere Ridge Road from the winter. Also noted was the continued shoulder decline on Rose Valley Dugway. Planned in 2025 is prep work of ditching, bank removal, and culvert repairs as needed. Blacktopping will be completed in 2026. Twilight Road will be ground up and culverts replaced. Riverland has purchased part of Dairyland property with plans to construct a large building in 2025. The Town agreed that the north portion of Twilight Road will be exempt from future winter road bans. In 2026, after all construction by Riverland, the road will be blacktopped. Other gravel/ditching is planned where needed. At 7:30 pm, Lonnie Ruff made a motion to close the Annual Meeting with Matt Biesterveld seconding the motion. Meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Deborah M Ruff Deborah M Ruff, Town Clerk