Minutes_RTBM_20260914

Town of Winchester 7228 CTH W, Winchester, WI 54557 winchesterwi.com | 715-686-2123 Town of Winchester — Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Meeting Date: September 14, 2026 — Page 1 REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING MINUTES September 14, 2026 • 6:00 PM • Winchester Town Hall, 7228 CTH W, Winchester, WI 54557 Members Present Nicholas Newton (Chairman), Danny Dye (Supervisor), Robert Silvis (Supervisor), John Grimmer (Treasurer), Luke Huybrecht (Clerk) Members Absent None 1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance Chairman Nicholas Newton called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. All five members were present. 2. Approval of Agenda The Board considered approval of the agenda at the Chairman’s discretion. Motion: To approve the agenda. Moved: Silvis • Seconded: Dye • Vote: Carried 3-0 3. Approval of Minutes — August 17, September 1, and September 10 Town Board Meetings Approval of the minutes was tabled for a future meeting. 4. Treasurer’s Report Treasurer John Grimmer reported that interest income in the AB account was down slightly, and noted the AB account is expected to match the LGIP rate going forward. 5. Clerk’s Report Clerk Huybrecht presented the Clerk’s Report. 6. Chairman and Supervisors’ Reports Chairman Newton reported receiving several calls about trees down; that restrooms at the Park had been serviced; that previously approved phones for the VOIP transition had been purchased; that the transition from Brightspeed to Starlink and Microsoft services should soon be complete, noting the opportunity to track technology metrics if desired; that the TextMyGov representative is ready to move forward with onboarding the following week; that he has been working on the camper situation on the snowmobile trail in connection with an open records request from the State, noting the Sheriff’s Department will be involved; that he received communication from Julie Brownewell regarding floor maintenance requirements at the Community Room; that the Fish and Wildlife Commission is working on the lakes; that he attended a shared position meeting; and that he reached out to the dam engineer in Rhinelander, who will visit in October to educate the Board on the dam and water levels. Town of Winchester 7228 CTH W, Winchester, WI 54557 winchesterwi.com | 715-686-2123 Town of Winchester — Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Meeting Date: September 14, 2026 — Page 2 Supervisor Silvis reported attending the Landfill Venture Group meeting with no meaningful change to report; that WTLC met and GLIFWC will conduct a survey the week of October 5; that the DNR is expected to survey Harris and Birch Lakes later this fall; that he attended a GIVN meeting to work with Northern/North Central Wisconsin graduate medical education groups on improving the regional healthcare situation, including exploring medical training sites; that he contacted EAU for assistance with lights on trees at the Park and Town Hall; that the WinMan cabins are open and taking reservations, praising last year’s turnout of participants from 26 states; that the Innovation Grant is open again and encouraged the Board to take advantage of it; and that he raised the possibility of digital tracking for water levels. Supervisor Dye reported providing Town employee handbooks to the Crew and Transfer Station attendant and will continue to address any questions; discussed the grader, which has not been used in several years, and noted the Town has a trailer available should a lawnmower purchase be made; discussed painting machinery and supplies versus hiring a contractor, noting the Crew indicated it could provide the service if supplies were purchased; discussed an online time- tracking system; will review the old transfer site and explore how other transfer stations handle receipts and invoices; and spoke with the Transfer Station attendant regarding the attendant’s future availability. 7. Vilas County District 2 Representative’s Report Not present. 8. NEMSD Report Not present. 9. Correspondence No correspondence was reported. 10. Public Comments Sulo commented on the Veterans Day resolution prepared by the Clerk, noting it had been posted on the electronic sign for four days; offered historical insight comparing grader use to a belly scraper and suggested education on equipment use; and emphasized the community’s desire for more advance notice of meetings, as well as continued posting at the Transfer Station. Discussion/Possible Action 11. Ordinance 2026-04 — Boating and Water The Board discussed Ordinance 2026-04, Boating and Water. Motion: To approve Ordinance 2026-04, Boating and Water, with changes to indicate the prohibition of power launching. Moved: Newton • Seconded: Dye • Vote: Carried 3-0 12. Ordinance 2026-07 — Appointment of Board of Review Alternate The Board discussed Ordinance 2026-07, Appointment of Board of Review Alternate. Town of Winchester 7228 CTH W, Winchester, WI 54557 winchesterwi.com | 715-686-2123 Town of Winchester — Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Meeting Date: September 14, 2026 — Page 3 Motion: To approve Ordinance 2026-07, Appointment of Board of Review Alternate. Moved: Newton • Seconded: Silvis • Vote: Carried 3-0 13. Resolution 2026-05 — Public Posting Locations Chairman Newton recited Resolution 2026-05, Public Posting Locations, superseding Resolution 2026-01, aloud. Motion: To adopt Resolution 2026-05, Public Posting Locations, superseding Resolution 2026-01. Vote (roll call): Newton – aye; Silvis – aye; Dye – aye. Carried 3-0. 14. Public Access to Lakes The Board discussed public access to lakes, specifically the W Rock Lake Road property owned by the Town. The item was tabled for the October meeting, and a quorum notice will be posted regarding exploration of the location. 15. Lawn Care Contract The Board discussed the lawn care contract, which was tabled for the budget meeting. 16. Library and Town Hall Garden Maintenance The Board discussed maintenance of the Library and Town Hall gardens, noting the current gardener will be leaving. Potential arrangements with Birchfield Nurseries of Rhinelander and the use of volunteers were discussed. Supervisor Silvis will contact EAU regarding a potential Town Hall contract, and Clerk Huybrecht will distribute information via MailChimp and the town news column to solicit volunteers or a paid position for both the Town Hall and Memorial Garden locations. 17. Accommodations/Short-Term Rental Tax Reallocation The Board discussed reallocation of the Accommodations/Short-Term Rental Tax. Clerk Huybrecht will send a separate MailChimp communication, apart from the garden email, to solicit volunteers and gauge community interest, and will create a SharePoint folder for Short-Term Rental materials. New Business 18. Approval of Vouchers Approval of vouchers was not prepared for this meeting. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 6:46 PM. Luke Huybrecht, Town Clerk Date Submitted: September 20, 2026