2023 Annual Meeting 4.25.23 minutes

2023 Annual Meeting of Electors (draft) April 25, 2023 7:00pm Meeting was called to order at 1900 by Chairperson Al Tank. Clerk Mary Schoenrock verified that the agenda was posted on the 3 public posting boards and the website. The pledge of allegiance was recited by all present. The agenda was presented as a guide. Motion was made by Bernie Ritchie, 2nd by Kelly Lehl to accept the minutes of the Annual Meeting from April 26, 2022 as presented. Motion carried. Explanation of why there was a brief Annual meeting on April 18, 2023 that was adjourned to this evening. Motion made by Dean Bennett, 2nd by Connie Laughlin to accept the minutes of the Annual Meeting from April 18, 2023 as presented. Motion carried. Motion made by Connie Zokolske, 2nd by Connie Laughlin to have the 2024 Annual Town Meeting on the 3rd Tuesday or within 10 days of that date. Motion carried. Discussion held on various town and road projects that are being planned or currently being done. Several questions from residents were answered as follows: Why wasn’t the culvert east of Fairway on Church Rd replaced? And it needs to be a larger culvert as water always backs up there. Response: We missed that culvert. This will be replaced as soon as we can arrange it with the county. What are all of the flags along Church Rd.? Response: They are marking the various lines that are buried. Chairperson Al Tank informed electors present that Highway 45 from Church Rd to Clintonville will be redone in 2026. There was a lot of shoulder damage from plowing due to no frost in the ground and we will work at repairing as soon as possible. We received the first draft of plans for the garage that will be built behind the current town hall. Discussion was also held concerning the Bear Creek Fire Department wanting to buy a $1,000,000 truck and how much we have been asked to pay for the truck. The Town of Lebanon area that is covered by Bear Creek is very small. Residents present recommended that more information be obtained as to if it would be cheaper to withdraw from Bear Creek and have New London cover the area. They asked to have response time verified. Al will work on getting more information. Clerk Mary Schoenrock informed residents that current storage space is getting filled plus having the extra chairs and 4H supplies in the corner when someone is using the hall for an event creates a “cluttered” look that many renters have been disappointed with. Suggestions were to wall off the corner or to add on to the building to create chair/table/janitor supplies/4H storage. At this time the residents did not see any need for this to be done. Clerk Mary Schoenrock presented a quote to install 2 cameras on the front of the town hall to monitor parking lot activity. This would not increase the current security cost. It would be monitored in the town hall office and be recorded. It was recommended that a 3rd camera be installed on the back side of the town hall to also monitor that area. Chairperson Al Tank stated we will pursue getting more quotes as there is a town resident that does this type of work. Clerk Mary Schoenrock presented a combined price range from 2 providers for weekly trash pickup and biweekly recycling. Residents present recommended to obtain more information as the current price range would save a lot of residents money over the current subscription price they currently pay. Financial report was given to everyone present. Time to review and ask questions was given. No questions asked. Motion made by Dean Bennett, 2nd by Connie Laughlin to accept the financial report as presented. Motion carried. Discussion was held if the residents still wanted to donate the annual $500 per cemetery located in the Town of Lebanon. Motion was made by Lynn Tank, 2nd by Jerry Tank to donate the annual $500 to each of the 3 cemeteries located in the Town of Lebanon. Discussion was held and Bernie Ritchie moved to increase the annual donation by $250 for Ruckdashel cemetery. Discussion was held to clarify if the increase was for Ruckdashel or all of the cemeteries. Bernie Ritchie rescinded his motion and moved that the annual donation be raised to $750 for all 3 cemeteries. 2nd by Connie Zokolske. Motion carried. It was brought forward by a resident that the New London Area 1st responders are having difficulty buying equipment and supplies and will be pursuing to reach out to the townships/cities that they provide service to and will be asking for $0.50 to $1.00/resident annually. This will be based on the entities official population for that year. Motion made by Urban, 2nd by Kelly Lehl to have the board approve support payment to the New London Area 1st responders when they contact the town for support. Motion carried. Melanie Oppor, Manawa School District superintendent, shared with residents present that she will be retiring after this school year and thanks all of the residents for their support and help throughout her years as superintendent. She brought pens that each resident was welcome to take one if they wanted. Residents present thanked her for her service and wished her well in her retirement with applause. Motion made by Connie Laughlin, 2nd by Bernie Ritchie to adjourn. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 2010. Respectfully submitted, Mary Schoenrock, clerk