12/2/25

Town of Black Earth Minutes of Town Board Meeting Tuesday, December 2, 2025 1. Meeting call to Order. Town Supervisor Barb Parrell called the meeting to order at 6:57 PM. Supervisor Joann Bennett, Treasurer Brenda Kahl, and Clerk Stephanie Zwettler were present. Town Chair Tom Turk was excused. Also in attendance: Jason Handel and Steve Parrell. 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. 2-0 4. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting – November 4, 2025 . Joann Bennett moved and Barb Parrell seconded the motion to approve the minutes from November 4, 2 025, as presented. Motion carried. 2-0 5. Financial Report. a. Money Market: $342,494.42 Checking: $43,673.51 b. Approval of written checks. Joann Bennett moved and Barb Parrell seconded the motion to approve written checks numbered 12664-12674, including direct deposit paychecks . Motion carried. 2-0 6. Plan Commission. a. Levi Yoder, north of 5250 John Wilkinson Rd – driveway construction permit. Joann Bennett presented the Plan Commission's recommendation to table the application pending additional information. 7. Patrolman’s Report. Town Patrolman Jason Handel reported that repairs on the plow truck have been completed, with the cost exceeding the initial estimate. The F550 requires new winter tires. He also discussed improving the turnaround at the end of Miller Farm Road, along with roadwork needed on Olson and Fesenfeld Roads. 8. Appoint election officials – 2026-2027. The Town Board reviewed the list of election officials presented by Clerk Stephanie Zwettler. Barb Parrell moved and Joann Bennett seconded a motion to app oint Michelle Ballweg, JoAnn Clough, Kim Hughes, Susan Michaud, Deb Schroeder, Jim Schroeder, and Karalee Turk as Election Inspectors to serve a two-year term – January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2027. Motion carried. 2-0 9. Fee Schedule – update for dog licenses. Barb Parrell moved and Joann Bennett seconded the motion to approve the updated dog licenses in the Fee Schedule. Motion carried. 2-0 Minutes of Town Board meeting – December 2, 2025 10. Newsletter to accompany tax bills – review. The Town Board reviewed the newsletter and the 2026 dog license fees approved by the Dane Co. Board. Joann Bennett moved and Barb Parrell seconded a motion to approve the Town’s dog license fees – spayed or neutered dogs @ $20.00 per license; unspayed or unneutered dogs @ $31.00 per license; multiple dogs (kennel) @ $60.00 per license. Motion carried. 2-0 11. Reeve Rd bridge – update. The Town Board reviewed the correspondence from engineering firm Lynch & Associates. Joann Bennett moved and Barb Parrell seconded the motion to confirm that the memo’s proposed pavement design meets the required standards outlined in Town ordinance Chapter 4.9(6). Motion carried. 2-0 12. Broadband internet service – update. No update this month. 13. EMS Board Report. No update this month. 14. Fire Board Report. Supervisor Barb Parrell stated that the fire dues have been distributed. 15. Convene Closed Session, under WI Stat. 19.85(1)(b) and (c). Considering employment, promotion, compensation, or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility. Barb Parrell made the motion and Joann Bennett seconded to convene into closed session. The board convened into closed session at 7:33 PM. Roll call vote: Barb Parrell – yes, Joann Bennett – yes. 16. Reconvene Open Session per WI Stat. 19.85(2). Barb Parrell made a motion to reconvene to open session and Joann Bennett seconded. Roll call vote: Barb Parrell – yes, Joann Bennett – yes. The board reconvened to open session at 7:40 PM 17. Set employee 2026 compensation. Joann Bennett moved and Barb Parrell seconded a motion to change the hourly compensation effective January 1, 2026, for Town Patrolman Jason Handel to $34.00 per hour. Motion carried. 2-0 Joann Bennett moved and Barb Parrell seconded a motion to change the annual compensation for Town Clerk to $25,000, effective January 1, 2026. Motion carried. 2-0 18. Future agenda items. Yoder driveway application, road projects for 2026. 19. Adjourn. Barb Parrell moved and Joann Bennett seconded the motion to adjourn. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:42 PM. Respectfully submitted, Stephanie Zwettler, Town Clerk