Town of New Hope Regular Board Meeting — Minutes

Minutes, Amended Town of New Hope Open Meeting and Regular Board Meeting October 21, 2024 – 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, Peter Browne, Sue Piotrowski, Jim McKnight, Laurie Stoltenberg, Christine Klessig, Mary Patoka, Judie Hintz, Norm Barber, Robert Patoka, Loren Birkey, Anita Birkey, Tom Weaver, Rebecca Weaver, Liz Langer, Tim Stolpa, Don Romundson, Robert Wiza, Jim Butler, Cathryn Eckberg, Bob Ostrowski, Mary Wegner, Andrew Wegner, Norman Groshek, Steve Ellingboe, Douglas Hartleben, Faye Hartleben, Rick Wilke, Sarah Wilke, Jenny Larsen, Patrick Quigley Open Meeting 1. The Open Meeting was called to order at 6:00 by Chair Knepfel, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 2. Discussion and Public Comments: Chair Knepfel distributed minutes from the August 10, 2024 Open Meeting regarding the Town Hall and Future Meeting Space for the Town of New Hope, and summarized those minutes as a starting point for the discussion that ensued. a. The continued use of North New Hope Church (845 County Road T North) was discussed, whether as a stop gap measure or permanent solution (to be determined on a year-to-year basis). The Church is in favor of this continuance. This would allow the Town to proceed in phases on short- and long-term solutions. The Board has offered to increase the Town’s donation to the Church to $3000 per year starting in January 2025, and the Town will provide snow removal when necessary for its meetings and elections. The Church has agreed to share space for meetings and elections (coordinated by clerk and church board), provide a secure heated storage area for voting equipment (lockable cage construction in 2025 by the Town at the Town’s cost), as well as an area to erect a town message kiosk (already installed) to replace the existing board at the Town Hall on Town Hall Road. The space meets the needs of the Town for voting and meeting purposes. Coordination of use will continue. Concern over the Church’s viability was expressed, but for the next few years, it should not be problematic. The Supreme Court has ruled that use of a church for government business does not present a problem. Parking space would rarely be an issue. There was interest in purchasing the Church as a long-term solution but at present, that option (including a request for first right of refusal) is not being pursued, but that may change. Continued use of the Church does not preclude any future options, but as noted, would provide a much- needed stop-gap measure for the Town for the foreseeable future until a more permanent solution is found. b. Plans for existing Town Hall ensued. The building is in need of significant repair (including a roof); and remodeling is not an option. The land would be retained by the Town. Cost of constructing a new hall was discussed, as well as loans and interest rates, down-payments, and the possibility of creating a building fund in the budget. A straw poll resulted in 18 residents in favor of new construction and 13 continuing to use the Church, with an option to buy later. Moving the building (at the new owner’s expense) or demolition are under consideration. The Board will take these comments and suggestions under consideration before making a final decision. Minutes for Town of New Hope October Regular Board Meeting October 21, 2024 – 7:00 p.m. Members present: Chair Todd Knepfel, Supervisor Timm Raddatz; Supervisor Ray Reser. Also present :Treasurer Dorene Stolpa, Clerk Pat Zellmer Guests: Rhonda Fechter, Peter Browne, Jim McKnight, Jenny Larsen, Patrick Quigley 1. The Regular October Town meeting was called to order at 7:18 by Chair Knepfel. 2. Regular Board Minutes (September 18) were emailed to Board members and posted on the Town Website (https://tn.newhope.wi.gov). Hard copies were provided to the Board. Supervisor Raddatz made a motion to accept the minutes as written, seconded by Chair Knepfel. Motion carried. 3. Persons who wish to address the Board: No one appeared before the board. 4. North New Hope Church and Town Hall a. New town message kiosks have been installed at North New Hope Church and Sunset Lake. Posting at the current Town Hall is discontinued. The Town website (www.tn.newhope.wi) will continue to be used for communication with the Town Residents. b. Residents’ thoughtful suggestions and input for future meeting space and plans for the existing Town Hall are appreciated, and are being considered by the Board. 5. Town of New Hope Comprehensive Plan Appointment of Supervisor Reser to Town Plan Commission was proposed by Chair Knepfel, and seconded by Supervisor Raddatz. Motion passed. 6. The Special Recycling Event on September 21, 2024 was completed, with lower participation than in previous years. $694 was collected at the site; Weller’s Salvage invoice was for $ 1,216.63. A DNR grant will offset the difference. 7. Road Improvement report – no report. 8. Emergency Mitigation Plan and Emergency Plan should be completed this week by Clerk Zellmer and Bonnie Skalecke from Portage Co. Emergency Management, followed by submission to the Board. 9. November General Election a. Resolution 2024-02 to Select/Employ Tabulator for Elections was approved by the Board; motion to adopt the resolution by Supervisor Raddatz, seconded by Chair Knepfel. Adoption passed. b. Training and Number of Poll Workers: Chief Inspector Stolpa requested 5 poll workers, a line monitor, and a door attendant (total 7 positions) to be compliant with WEC regulations and to make the November election efficient. Supervisor Raddatz moved to approve 7 positions, seconded by Chair Knepfel; motion passed. She will contact the poll workers. Clerk Zellmer will reach out to them for training on Friday, Oct. 25 at New Hope Church. c. A Public Test for the DS200 Tabulator will be held at 9:00 am Wednesday, Oct. 30 at New Hope Church – notices have been posted. Chair Knepfel and Dean Onan will assist. d. Incumbent Board members who do not plan to run in April need to file in November. 10. Payment of bills: The October bills for New Hope totaled $38,178.60. Supervisor Raddatz made a motion to pay the bills, seconded by Supervisor Reser; motion carried. 11. Upcoming Meetings:  Town of New Hope Budget Workshop: 5:30 pm Thursday, October 24, Clerk’s home. Notice posted  Public Budget Hearing, Special Town Electors Meeting (Levy and Town Hall), and Budget Resolution: 6:00 Friday, November 8, North New Hope Church. Notice posted.  Next Board meeting: 7:00 pm Monday, November 25, North New Hope Church 12. Adjournment Supervisor Reser made a motion to adjourn the October meeting at 8:30 pm, seconded by Supervisor Raddatz; motion carried and meeting was adjourned.