5/19/26 DRAFT

Town of Black Earth DRAFT Minutes of Town Board Meeting Tuesday, May 19, 2026 1. Meeting call to Order. Town Chair Tom Turk called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM . Supervisors Barb Parrell, Joann Bennett, Treasurer Brenda Kahl, and Clerk Stephanie Zwettler were present. Also in attendance: Daniel and Rachel Trotter, Mary Devitt, and Michelle Harris. 2. Proof of Posting. An affidavit of posting was provided. 3. Approval of the Agenda. Barb Parrell moved and Joann Bennett seconded the motion to approve the agenda. Motion carried. 4. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting – April 9, 2026 . Joann Bennett moved and Barb Parrell seconded the motion to approve the minutes from April 9, 2 026, as presented. Motion carried. 5. Financial Report. a. Money Market: 457,529.60 Checking: $21,990.51 b. Approval of written checks. Barb Parrell moved and Joann Bennett seconded the motion to approve written checks numbered 12763-12787, including direct deposit paychecks . Motion carried. 6. Plan Commission. Supervisor Joann Bennett presented the discussions from the Plan Commission meeting, including proposed updates to the Land Use Plan related to Accessory Dwelling Units, Conditional Use Permits, and the Transfer of Development Rights program. 7. Gateway to the Driftless – presentation from organization Chairperson, Daniel Trotter. Daniel Trotter presented information on the multi-use trail that, when completed, will connect Middleton to Sauk City and beyond. He discussed the new pedestrian/recreational bridge across the Wisconsin River, the Walking Iron Trail for 2027, and plans for the Black Earth Creek Trail corridor, which would directly support Black Earth's recreational and economic development. The Town Board suggested a resolution of support for the organization. 8. Black Earth Creek Watershed Association (BECWA) – presentation, request for support. Organization representatives Mary Devitt and Michelle Harris presented information on the table- sized, portable 3D model of the Black Earth Creek watershed, which depicts elevations, waterways, land use, roads, villages, and towns. The traveling model will assist teachers, conservation organizations, and local leaders in making land-use and water-management decisions that affect the watershed . Representatives explained that the project aims to pro mote a s hared sense of stewardship and that the model will be shared among the communities of Mazomanie, Black Earth, and Cross Plains. They are seeking donations from the local municipalities to achieve their funding goal by June 1. Barb Parrell moved and Joann Bennett seconded the motion to donate $1500.00 to the Black Earth Creek Watershed Association. Motion carried. Minutes of Town Board meeting – May 19, 2026 9. Reeve Rd bridge – Public Involvement Plan meeting. Clerk Stephanie Zwettler reported that the engineering firm Lynch & Associates notified adjoining property owners by mail of the public involvement meeting to discuss details and schedule for the replacement of the Reeve Road bridge. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Black Earth Village Hall. Two newspaper publications in the Times Tribune are also planned. 10. Meeting location/date changes for Town Board and Plan Commission. Tom Turk moved and Joann Bennett seconded th e motion to change the Town Board meetings to the th ird Tuesday of the month to the Black Earth Village Hall and change the Plan Commission meetings to the third Monday of the month at the Black Earth Village Hall. Motion carried. 11. EMS Board Report. a. District One EMS possible land purchase. Town Chair Tom Turk presented a potential driveway concern related to the sale of an adjacent lot to the EMS building on USH 14. The EMS Board is exploring the possibility of purchasing the adjacent lot to ensure safe ambulance access and to expand the parking lot. Tom Turk moved, and Joann Bennett seconded a motion to invest approximately $7000.00 for the Town of Black Earth’s share in the purchase of the lot west of District One EMS. Motion carried. 12. Fire Board Report. Supervisor Barb Parrell reported that the Black Earth and Mazomanie Fire Departments are making efforts to merge. 13. Future agenda items. Website update. 14. Adjourn. Tom Turk moved and Joann Bennett seconded the motion to adjourn. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:10 PM. Respectfully submitted, Stephanie Zwettler, Town Clerk