Town Board minutes 2.09.2026.DRAFT

Town of Winchester 7228 CTH W Winchester, WI 54557 winchesterwi.com DRAFT Meeting Minutes Regular Town Board Meeting Monday, February 9, 2026 Chairman Discianno called the meeƟng to order at 6:00 pm on Monday February 9th, 2026 at Winchester Town Hall and on Zoom. Chairman Discianno, Supervisor Newton, Supervisor Silvis, Clerk Newton and Treasurer Grimmer aƩended at Town Hall. There were five other in-person aƩendees including District Supervisor Richard Logan, NEMSD Chief Jason Joling, and NEMSD Board Member Phil Harris, and three aƩendees on Zoom including NEMSD Winchester RepresentaƟve Steve Herzberg and a Lakeland Times reporter. The pledge of allegiance was recited. Supervisor Newton made a moƟon to approve the agenda. Supervisor Silvis seconded the moƟon, and the moƟon passed 3-0 in a voice vote. December meeƟng minutes for two special meeƟng were not sent by Clerk Newton. Chairman Discianno made a moƟon to approve the January regular meeƟng minutes as submiƩed. Supervisor Silvis seconded the moƟon and moƟon passed 3-0 in a voice vote. Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Grimmer reported that tax receipƟng for 2025 property taxes is complete. Treasurer Grimmer reported that the total of Town bank accounts is $2,009,687 with 873,179 due in property tax seƩlements. Treasurer Grimmer indicated that the total income from room tax in 2025 was about $25,000 and explained that there are sƟll properƟes listed on online marketplaces that aren’t registered with the town. Treasurer Grimmer spoke about a program that would allow Winchester to report non-compliant properƟes with the county. Treasurer Grimmer said that he would document the processes for property tax collecƟon including the expenses. Chairman Discianno made a moƟon to approve the Treasurer’s report as given. Supervisor Newton seconded the moƟon and the moƟon passed 3-0 in a voice vote. Clerk’s Report: Clerk Newton reported that she completed filing W2s and 1099s and is currently working on compleƟng addiƟonal filings for DOR and the Fire Department. Chairman Discianno asked about the census bureau email and Clerk Newton explained that she had requested the needed informaƟon from RC Building InspecƟons but hadn’t received a response yet. Clerk Newton explained that there would be a regular spring elecƟon in April. Town of Winchester Chairman and Supervisors’ reports: Chairman Discianno reported that the new truck bed and hoist has been installed in the town crew truck. Chairman Discianno requested library door codes and asked the MeeƟng Owl device be accessible for meeƟngs in the Community Room. Supervisor Newton indicated that he would ask Library Director Huybrecht to send codes and keep the MeeƟng Owl device accessible. Chairman Discianno reported that he is sƟll waiƟng to hear more about pricing for possible shared woodchipper rental with Town of Boulder JuncƟon for storm damage cleanup. Chairman Discianno reported that he is waiƟng for a response from John Hanson about an increase of the accommodaƟons tax rate and indicated that he encouraged Mr. Hanson to pursue with the Manitowish Waters Visitors Bureau. Chairman Discianno reported that he has been working on idenƟfying and contacƟng short term rental properƟes that are not registered with the town. Supervisor Silvis reported that he submiƩed the disaster relief applicaƟon with photos for 2025 Thanksgiving storm damage and that he is awaiƟng the next steps. Chairman Discianno asked if future cleanup needs will be covered by the disaster relief and Supervisor Silvis explained that only the moving of the trees/limbs from blocking the road are considered part of the emergency and covered, future cleanup is considered maintenance and is not covered. Supervisor Silvis reported that the new electronics recycling receptacles have been set up at the transfer staƟon and menƟoned that per DNR rules the receptacles must be kept indoors and that transfer staƟon aƩendant Don would post a list of acceptable items for the electronics recycling receptacles. Supervisor Silvis reported that he aƩended the Lakes CommiƩee meeƟng where the AIS detecƟon/miƟgaƟon plan for area lakes was discussed as well as various speakers that will give presentaƟons at the Lakes CommiƩee meeƟng throughout the year. Supervisor Silvis reported that he aƩended the WTA Unit meeƟng last Saturday and the NEMSD meeƟng today. Supervisor Newton reported that he aƩended the Library Board meeƟng in January and explained that they are expected four graduaƟng seniors in Winchester this year to apply for the BeƩy Forster Scholarship. Supervisor Newton reported that the new Library Board member, Bill Shine, was named to the secretary posiƟon and that the board is updaƟng their unaƩended children policy. Chairman Discianno asked if the window blind issue had been fixed and Supervisor Newton indicated that he would follow up with the library. Vilas County District Supervisor’s report: District Supervisor Logan spoke about the transit service that provides transportaƟon on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month from Winchester and other nearby towns to Minocqua and Rhinelander. District Supervisor Logan reported that the ARDC senior nutriƟon meal site at NLS will be opening again in early April. District Supervisor Logan reported that the Assembly bill regarding dwelling units seems to have died Town of Winchester for now, but that it is a concern for Vilas County as it could increase housing density at lakefronts. Correspondence: Chairman Discianno reported receiving some calls about the tree clearing along highway W. Clerk Newton reported receiving calls about property tax bills and quesƟons about the tax increase for 2025. Public Comment: Old Business: 1. Road/lane name changes: Clerk Newton reported that there were no submissions for to be reviewed/approved. 2. Turtle Lake Dam inspecƟon report: Supervisor Newton confirmed that all board members had received a copy of the dam inspecƟon report and explained that the report is suggesƟng that Winchester update the emergency plan and complete further maintenance needs. Supervisor Newton reported that he had a meeƟng with a WiDNR dam engineer and that they reviewed the floodplain map which showed only one current building that would be affected (storage building at Town Park) and explained that if someone built a dwelling within the floodplain it would created an increased risk which would result in higher costs to the town. Chairman Discianno recalled that the original culverts were narrow and replaced with culverts closer to 7 feet in diameter. Supervisor Newton explained that the deadline for embankment clearing is June 1st and added that the stop logs would have to be replaced. Chairman Discianno recalled that the stop logs were replaced last summer and stated he was unsure if they would need to be replaced again this year. Supervisor Newton explained that the deadline for submiƫng an emergency plan is July 1st. 3. Town Hall meeƟng room improvements including paint, Ɵle, carpet and electrical: Chairman Discianno reported that he had received two esƟmates for painƟng ($7,600 from Dietrich and $4,600 from KJ CollecƟve) and was waiƟng to receive a third esƟmate which he expects will be in the middle of the first two. Chairman Discianno reported that he is waiƟng to review vinyl/carpet flooring samples, asked for input about paint color and confirmed that painƟng esƟmates include painƟng the ceiling. Chairman Discianno indicated that he has contacted Tim the electrician about installing a floor outlet and cuƫng a channel to hold other cabling. 4. Public Safety OƯicer in Winchester: Chairman Discianno explained that he had reached out to the Presque Isle PSO and hasn’t heard back and suggests that they assume he is not interested in taking on more at this time. Town of Winchester New Business: 5. Deputy treasurer posiƟon: Treasurer Grimmer explained that the previous treasurer, Geri Sell, had been in the posiƟon for 20 years and that he had run for the posiƟon as an interim and is now looking ahead to seƫng something in place for the future. Treasurer Grimmer spoke about the possibility of finding a new treasurer and having himself act as deputy treasurer or to hire a deputy treasurer and have himself remain the treasurer. Treasurer Grimmer reviewed that Wisconsin Act 71, passed in December 2025, makes it easier to change to an appointed clerk or treasurer or to combine the posiƟon. Supervisor Newton asked about the need to budget for an addiƟonal posiƟon as was done for the deputy clerk posiƟon this year. Treasurer Grimmer spoke about the most of the treasurer’s work being required in December and January. Treasurer Grimmer and board members discussed the process for changing to an appointed clerk and/or treasurer or combining the posiƟons and he suggested a future meeƟng topic to speak about what is working and what is not working in the current roles. 6. NEMSD bylaws update: Chairman Discianno asked Chief Joling if he wanted to give a brief annual report. Chief Joling reported that NEMSD had 418 requests through 2025 and all requests were responded to at the paramedic level. Chief Joling reported that the NEMSD did not request any mutual aid but was instead able to provide mutual aid two Ɵmes. Chief Joling expressed that he is impressed with the performance of both the staff and volunteers over the NEMSDs first year in service. Chairman Discianno reported having mulƟple meeƟngs with the four towns’ chairs regarding the NEMSD current bylaws. Chairman Discianno reported that John Hanson has had a lawyer look at the current bylaws and indicated changes that may need to be made. Chairman Discianno indicated that a draŌ of new bylaws is sƟll in progress and isn’t ready to be distributed yet and that the next planned meeƟng of the four towns’ chairs is Feb 16th in Manitowish Waters. Chairman Discianno explained that he feels if there are changes to make that the Winchester town board should decide on the changes and bring their decision to Winchester’s NEMSD representaƟve Steve Herzberg to bring to the NEMSD board. Chairman Discianno stated that he wants to see the [NEMSD] board mesh beƩer and indicated that he has a list of changes he wants to see. Supervisor Newton recalled that this topic has been an ongoing discussion at NEMSD meeƟngs and stated that he feels John Hanson has made clear the changes he wants to see. Supervisor Newton expressed that ‘two camps’ have developed, described them as the ‘John Hanson camp’ vs ‘the rest of the NEMSD board,’ and stated that he is concerned about what this means for the District. Supervisor Newton recalled that the creaƟon of the District was necessary because the four towns had difficulty coming together and spoke about Town of Winchester concerns regarding the acƟons of John Hanson as a member of the NEMSD board. Chairman Discianno stated that Supervisor Newton did not understand some things and explained that the 4 towns’ chairs come together to discuss issues and spoke about John Hanson helping him understand the NEMSD as well as giving him other advice in regard to being a town chairman. Chairman Discianno explained that he thinks the District should have monthly meeƟngs and that the towns should pay the NEMSD quarterly and expressed concern that the NEMSD bylaws were not submiƩed to a town lawyer prior to adopƟon. Supervisor Silvis stated that he thinks they should be looking toward the future instead of what should have been done and indicated that the [NEMSD] meeƟng today was not a good example of how the group could problem-solve. NEMSD representaƟve Steve Herzberg recalled that he was voted unanimously to serve as Winchester’s NEMSD representaƟve again this year and explained that as a subject maƩer expert he feels the interference occurring is a risk to the funcƟoning of the District’s emergency response. Mr. Herzberg recalled that the NEMSD bylaws were veƩed by Manitowish Waters’ lawyer at the Ɵme and indicated that he has not seen the draŌ version of the new bylaws. Mr. Herzberg stated that he feels they [NEMSD Board] are not a dysfuncƟonal board in contrary to Chairman Discianno’s opinion and Mr. Herzberg states that the board has been given trouble by one of its four members. The discussion turned somewhat into an argument and Supervisor Newton interrupted to say he did not want to conƟnue the discussion at this meeƟng and suggested having a separate meeƟng between Mr. Herzberg and the Winchester town board in the future to discuss further which all board members agreed with. 7. Discussion on Winchester being down one plow driver: Chairman Discianno explained that one of Winchester’s two plow drivers is currently out for surgery and reported that he contacted around ten different people to see if they would be available to help with plowing but couldn’t find anyone willing to help. Supervisor Newton suggested that he ask other people and Chairman Discianno expressed that another storm event could leave Winchester in trouble with plowing. 8. ATV/UTV signage for Winchester town roads: Chairman Discianno reported that he met with Planning Commission Chair Wainio and ATV Club President Rich Haijt to discuss signage and that they planned an addiƟonal meeƟng aŌer which they hope to order the signage. Supervisor Newton asked if there was a discussion of payment for signage and Chairman Discianno answered that the ATV Club may cover half and indicated that he is sƟll looking at signage costs. 9. Winchester participation in Vilas County Deer Program: Chairman Discianno recalled that Winchester has participated in the program previously, but not every year. Chairman Discianno clarifies that the program would have the county pick up Town of Winchester roadkill dear on town roads. Board members agree that participation in the VC Deer Program is not needed for this year. 10. Winchester participation in Vilas County Program: Chairman Discianno recalled that Winchester participated in the program last year and explained that as there are several dams causing issues he feels Winchester should participate again this year. Supervisor Newton made a motion to participate in the Vilas Couty Beaver Program and contract with Noisy Creek Adventures for beaver control in 2026 for $800 using explosives when necessary. Chairman Discianno seconded the motion and the motion passed 3-0 in a voice vote. Future agenda items: Room tax, CWD collecƟon site; Chairman Discianno indicated items for a future agenda could be emailed to him. Approval of Vouchers: Disbursements were reviewed and Chairman Discianno made a moƟon to approve January disbursements beginning with EFT38450-72 for Starlink internet through liability check EFT13026 to WRS. Supervisor Newton seconded the moƟon, and the moƟon passed 3-0 in a voice vote. 11. MoƟon to go into closed session under ss19.85 (1) (c) for employee workman’s compensaƟon and other compensaƟon consideraƟons: Chairman Discianno made a moƟon to enter closed session under ss19.85 (1)(c). Supervisor Newton seconded the moƟon and the moƟon passed 3-0 in a voice vote. Board entered closed session at 7:44 pm. At 8:18pm Chairman Discianno made a moƟon to return to open session. Supervisor Newton seconded the moƟon and the moƟon passed 3-0 in a voice vote. Chairman Discianno reported that the board decided to have Clerk Newton contact Bitco Workman’s Comp representaƟve to get more informaƟon and to communicate with the employee. The meeƟng was adjourned at 8:20 pm on February 9th, 2026. Erin Newton, Town Clerk for Winchester DRAFT minutes submiƩed 03/08/2026