Regular Board Meeting — Minutes

Town of Belvidere REGULAR MEETING May 9, 2023, 7:00 PM Cochrane VFW Post 10406 Chairman Ron Speltz called the meeting to order. All Board members present, three residents and Steve Berger from Rural Mutual Insurance. The meeting notice was published in the Buffalo County News and the full agenda posted per WI Statutes 19.84 on May 5, 2023. A Motion by Supervisor Ron Kazmierczak was made to approve the Minutes as provided to board members in lieu of reading out loud. Supervisor Lee Engfer seconded the motion. Carried. Treasurer Barbara Brommer gave the Treasurer’s report and Investment Summary. Balance on hand as of tonight is $243,542.69 in the General Checking Account. Barb reported there is one outstanding bill with DNR. Lee made a Motion to accept the Treasurer’s report as read. Ron Kaz seconded the Motion. Carried. The Clerk presented the bills for payment. A motion was made by Ron Kaz and seconded by Lee to pay the bills as presented. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS: Shawn Squires, CCT, presented the Town of Belvidere Broadband Expansion Project to the Board. He explained there are 27 locations underserved per PSC standards. This small area is within TDS’s area. TDS presently is only expanding in the larger cities with little interest in this rural area. Shawn presented a proposed project costing $367,000. PSC prefers projects with at least a 50% matching funds for grant acceptance. The next grant cycle opens possibly in July with grant awarding in early 2024. Buffalo County has set aside $100,000 per municipality from ARPA grant funds. These funds might not be available in the future if this broadband project is delayed. There also is the option to proceed without applying for a grant. This option would greatly expedite the project and completion could possibly still be in 2023. Shawn will come back to the June 13th meeting with more details and discussion with the Board about proceeding either with the PSC Grant option or without a grant. Steve Berger, Rural Insurance, appeared to complete the annual review of the Town’s current Liability policy. Cyber security was added last year for the Town. $1,000 deductible, $2 million Liability and Public Officials Bonds & Tax Collection Bond remain the same. The Town also has Workman’s Comp insurance with Rural Insurance. Matt Biesterveld, Tri-Community Fire Department, appeared and stated the Fire Department plans to contribute more funds toward the Fire Truck purchase so Belvidere’s 31% portion will be less than the $12,400 paid in May 2023. ROAD UPDATES: Road bids will be opened May 17th @ 7:30 pm. for possible 8 projects. Sendelbach has started the spring grading which was delayed due to excess rain. Ron Kaz has forwarded Monarch’s Boat Landing paving estimate of $73,080 to the DNR. 2023 Board of Review will be held on May 17th from 6 pm – 8 pm for the Town. The next regular scheduled meeting will be Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 7 pm. At 7:52 pm Lee made a motion to adjourn with Ron Kaz seconding. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Deborah M Ruff Deborah M. Ruff, Clerk