Town Of New Hope Regular Board Meeting — Minutes

March 2026 Minutes Note: These are the proposed Minutes that will be approved at the next Board Meeting. Town of New Hope Minutes - Regular Board Meeting Wednesday, March 18, 2026 6:00 p.m. North New Hope Church, 845 County Road T North Members present: Chair Todd Knepfel, Supervisor Timm Raddatz Also present: Treasurer Dorene Stolpa, Clerk Pat Zellmer; Guests: Rhonda Fechter, Walter Leppen, Laurie Stoltenberg, Dave Swensen • Call to order the Regular February Town Board meeting, and Pledge of Allegiance. The Regular March Town Board meeting was called to order by Chair Todd Knepfel at 6:02 pm, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. • Review/Approval of minutes. Prior to the meeting, minutes from the February Regular Town Board Meeting (February 19, 2026) were circulated to the Board via email and posted on the town website in draft form. Supervisor Raddatz moved to accept the minutes as written, seconded by Chair Knepfel. Motion carried, 2-0. • Persons who wish to address the Board. a. Rhonda Fechter appeared before the Board for signatures on the County-approved Plan Commission change. Supervisor Reser will return the signed document to Portage Co. P/Z. b. Laurie Stoltenberg appeared before the Board to request posting of a video of the Town Hall on the town website (www.tn.newhope.wi.gov, under Town History). The request was approved. • Road Report Swenson will continue brushing Sunset Lake Road from County Road Z to County Road MM, weather permitting. Brushing Sunset Lake Road from County Road Z north to the town line has been completed. • The Board will investigate options on snow removal. Snow removal from the last storm cost $9835. • A request will be submitted to the County for a hidden drive sign for the intersection of County. T and South Lake Road. • Town Hall. Ken Kwiatkowski is preparing to move the town hall to private property; Don Romundson has removed contents. Alliant Energy has been contacted to remove the meter and wire leading to the road. • The Board approved a request from Laurie Stoltenberg to post a video of the Town Hall on the town website (www.tn.newhope.wi.gov, under Town History). • WI Towns Association will be contacted about a conceal-carry ban for the church, and whether a sign could be posted only during town functions. • Town Building Inspector Chair Knepfel will attend a presentation by General Engineering (Portage, WI) on 3/24 at the Town of Lanark. Currently New Hope contracts with the State for Building Inspector. The Town needs an ordinance. • 2026 Elections. a. Public Test for Spring Election: 10:00 am, Saturday, March 28, N. New Hope Church March 2026 Minutes Note: These are the proposed Minutes that will be approved at the next Board Meeting. b. Spring Election: Tuesday, April 7, 7:00 am – 8:00 pm, N. New Hope Church • Next Election: August (Fall Primary) 2026 • New Business and Announcements. • Resolution 26-01: Chair Knepfel made a motion to adopt a resolution supporting a comprehensive sustainable transportation funding solution, seconded by Supervisor Raddatz. Motion carried, 2:0. o A copy of Resolution26-01 will be forwarded to the WI Towns Association and local legislators. • Property Line clarification. Supervisor Reser will be asked to follow up on possible survey of parcel 02624 1029-10.04 and 02624 1029-07.01 to clarify a boundary line. • Fire invoices from Iola Fire Dept. will continue to be billed to individual residences. Motion made to approve by Supervisor Raddatz, seconded by Chair Knepfel, motion carried 2-0. • Payment of Bills. February bills for New Hope totaled $24,310.25 Supervisor Raddatz moved to pay those bills, seconded by Chair Knepfel. Motion Carried 2:0. • Set Dates for: a. BOR Training (Knepfel/Zellmer): Monday March 30 and Tuesday March 31 b. Annual Town Meeting: Tuesday April 21, 6:00 pm (N. New Hope Church) c. Regular April Board Meeting: Tuesday, April 21, at 6:30 pm (N. New Hope Church) d. Annual Road Survey: Sunday, May 3, 1:00 – 4:00 pm • Adjournment. Supervisor Raddatz moved to adjourn the March Regular Board, seconded by Chair Knepfel. Motion carried 2-0. Meeting was adjourned at 6:50 pm. Respectfully submitted by Clerk Zellmer