Town Board — Minutes

Blooming Grove Town Board Meeting Minutes for February 11, 2026 Chair Bristol called the meeting to order at 5:52 PM. Other Town Board members in attendance were Supervisors Teuscher, Schroeder, Young, and Woznick. Also in attendance were Clerk/Treasurer/Administrator John Wright, Erin Pierce, and Deborah Sellers. Those in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Clerk/Treasurer/Administrator Wright confirmed proper proof of posting. There were no changes to the agenda. 2a. Sale of Girl Scout cookies in April Hill Park: C/T/A Wright stated that he has not received a request this year, so there was no further discussion or action. 2b. Consider annual donation to the Historic Blooming Grove Historical Society: Chair Bristol stated that the Town has traditionally contributed $5,000 annually in support. Chair Bristol moved to approve a donation in the amount of $5,000; 2nd by Supervisor Young. There followed a brief discussion regarding increasing the donation; it was agreed to revisit that possibility in 2027. Motion carried 5-0-0. 2c. Presentation of draft MS4 Stormwater Annual Report: Wright reviewed highlights of the report which was made possible with the cooperation of Public Works staff members Cory Buske and Steve Kearney as well as permission from Anne Anderson (Mead & Hunt) to use some documents she prepared for past reports. No issues were noted during the inspection of the outfalls within the Town of Blooming Grove. The minutes from this meeting, when approved, will be attached to the report when it is approved before submission online. Supervisor Woznick moved to approve the 2026 MS4 Stormwater Annual Report; 2 nd by Supervisor Young. Motion carried 5-0-0. 2d. Consider bid letting for chip sealing of Jenness Avenue in 2026 (discuss other roads as well): Wright stated that Chair Bristol brought the alligatored condition of Jenness to his attention. Wright then met with Public Works Supervisor Buske to review past work on this section of road. Buske recommended that it be chip or granite sealed. The contractors for sealing will not be the same as those who will mill and overlay sections of Beegs, Carncross (funded in part through a local road improvement program grant), and Brugger. The section of Jenness south of Bittner Lane had been pulverized and overlaid previously (3.5” overlay in 2010). Further discussion will be deferred until the February 25, 2026 meeting; without objection. 2e. Discuss public works backup labor: Chair Bristol stated that Public Works Supervisor Buske has been out since February 1, 2026 with a back issue not specifically related to work. It is difficult to predict when he might be able to return to work. Cory’s son Owen had previously worked for the Town and may be available during those times when he is not scheduled for the City of Madison. Steve Kearney had recommended a retired friend to consider as well; the friend has a CDL and relevant experience. Supervisor Schroeder wondered whether we should reach out to other municipalities for recommendations or the availability of their flex operators. Supervisor Teuscher confirmed the need would only be for plowing snow. Supervisor Young noted that leaf collection and chipping are two-person jobs for safety reasons as well. There followed a brief discussion regarding whether delayed response to snow fall was acceptable in order to not overburden Kearney by having him work too many hours consecutively. Some delays were considered acceptable if roads were prioritized by importance to clear. Without objection, Cory Buske should be consulted with his thoughts and Wright should contact Steve Kearney’s recommendation regarding availability, etc. 2f. Discuss sick pay policy: Chair Bristol introduced the adopted policy. C/T/W stated that the policy could be interpreted as starting each new year with no more than 640 hours although each full-time employee earns 80 hours each new year. Wright wonders whether the intent of the policy is to allow the total to exceed 640 at the beginning of a new year, but to not exceed that amount at the start of the next year. In the case of Cory Buske, he began 2026 with 603 hours of accumulated sick time. Traditionally, his accumulated sick time on January 1 st of the new year would be capped at 640. However, Buske is nearing using 80 hours already this year and would benefit if the interpretation of the policy was that he has 683 hours as of January 1st instead. Supervisor Teuscher moved that full-time employees continue to accrue sick time per the adopted policy but cannot carry more than 640 hours into the following year or exceed 640 hours for the final payout of unused sick time as of October 31, 2027; 2nd by Supervisor Young. Motion carried 5-0-0. 3a. Minutes of January 28, 2026: Supervisor Woznick moved to approve the January 28, 2026 minutes, as presented; 2nd by Supervisor Young. Motion carried 4-0-1 (abstention by Bristol). 3b. Approval of vouchers: Supervisor Young made a motion to approve the vouchers, as presented for 2025 bills and 2026 bills; 2nd by Supervisor Schroeder. Motion carried 5-0-0. 3c. Property tax refunds: Wright reported that the final bill approved with the vouchers was the refund of a Lottery Credit applied for after the property taxes had been paid by the owner’s mortgage company. Supervisor Young moved to approve the Lottery Credit refund to Sophie Barabas, as presented; 2nd by Supervisor Teuscher. Motion carried 5-0-0. 4. Public Comments: Deborah Sellers stated that there has been a couch set to the curb at 611 Powers Avenue for three to five weeks and would like the Town to take action. Supervisor Young reminded those in attendance that he will not attend the February 25, 2026 Town Board meeting. C/T/A Wright provided a brief update regarding the 2025 annual financial audit, collection of building inspection records by City of Madison staff, collection of scanned documents by staff from the Wisconsin Historical Society, and the scheduled pick up of scanned assessment and tax rolls by volunteers from the Historic Blooming Grove Historical Society. 5. Adjournment: Chair Bristol moved to adjourn the meeting; 2nd by Supervisor Teuscher. Motion carried 5-0 at 6:33 PM. Minutes written and submitted by John Wright Town Clerk/Treasurer/Administrator Approved: February 25, 2026