Minutes

Town of Rock Elm Elmwood, Pierce County, Wisconsin MINUTES Tuesday, December 9, 2025 Meeting called to order at 8:00 p.m. by Chairman Tim Bates. Others present: Matt Holcomb, Supervisor; Chris Thibado, Supervisor; Dave Bechel, Patrolman; Dawn Churchill, Clerk; and 6 residents Motion to approve the agenda was made by Matt Holcomb, second by Chris Thibado, motion carried. Minutes from previous meeting Minutes from Public Review of Proposed Budget, November 12, 2025, were read. Motion to approve minutes made by Chris Thibado, second by Matt Holcomb, motion carried. Minutes from Public Meeting on Proposed Levy, November 12, 2025, were read. Motion to approve minutes made by Chris Thibado, second by Matt Holcomb, motion carried. Minutes from Town Board meeting, November 12, 2025, were read. Motion to approve minutes made by Chris Thibado, second by Matt Holcomb, motion carried. Financial Report Dawn gave the financial report. Current balance before bills are paid is $273,169.22. This month’s bills total $216,039.04. There is no expected income. Motion to approve payment of bills made by Matt Holcomb, second by Chris Thibado, motion carried. CAFO lawyer comments Tim conveyed discussion from the meeting with Nick Vivian on November 19, 2025. Nick is in total support of an ordinance. Rock Elm can’t do a surety bond, as the CAFO is not located in our town. If the CAFO is located our town, then we can do a surety bond. Discuss election/poll workers Workers consisting of Monica Robey, Pam Reitz, Theresa Voth, and Cheryl Mutchler were nominated. Monica Robey volunteered to be the Chief Elections Officer. This is a two-year term (January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2027). Motion to approve poll workers made by Chris Thibado, second by Matt Holcomb, motion carried. Workers appointed. Possible referendum for February ballot After lengthy discussion, due to time constraints and possible financial burden this was declined. Discussion followed regarding options to inform residents on CAFO ordinance moving forward. Postcard mailing to happen. Motion to cancel referendum made by Chris Thibado, second by Matt Holcomb, motion carried. Discuss possible upgrade of tractor and brush mower Tim got a bid from Tractor Central for a new John Deere brush mower comparable to what Rock Elm currently has. Also got a bid from Tractor Central for a new John Deere tractor and loader. Discussion on pros and cons of buying versus waiting – costs go up and trade-in value could go down. We don’t want to have all upgrades of equipment due at the same time, and the dump truck may need upgrade in five years. Comment that there should be more than one bid gotten; Tim to contact Johnson Tractor to get a bid from them for comparison. Townofrockelm.com website The website is up and running. Overview was given of features. Highway report Presented by Dave Bechel, Patrolman • Did the end of year grading. • Serviced grader. • Removed summer tires and wheels off dump truck and installed winter tires. • Been hauling salt sand from Hager City pit. • Pierce County finished ditch work – seeded and mulched on 570th Ave. – project completed. • Tim and Dave installed mailboxes and street signs on 570th Ave. • Been dealing with snow events. • 12/04/25 Tim and Dave completed Whistler program on rating the roads. • Installed wing on grader and removed rear fenders. Salt sand bids • Pierce County - $15.22/ton for sand, $27.57/ton for sand and delivery ($12.35/ton delivery) • Greg Bechel Trucking - $140/load delivery, ($6.36/ton delivery) Discussed having to pay $15.22 for product no matter who delivers. Motion to go with Greg Bechel Truck for deliver of salt sand made by Chris Thibado, second by Tim Bates, motion carried. Matt commented that the box culvert decision needs to be made at the January meeting due to timeline at the County. Public Input There is a pine tree on the corner of 130th St. and 490th Ave. that is in bad shape and should be looked at before it falls on the road. Dave and Tim will look at this to see if it’s in the right of way. Garbage bags were frozen in the bottom of the dumpster that was delivered at the recycling site. Concerns about being charged for overflow. Comment that all board members do a great job, but question on what the supervisors’ responsibilities are. Response that they have input on running the town and are the “policy makers”. Radios will be installed this week in the pickup truck, grader, and dump truck. Correspondence Reviewed. Set date and time for next monthly board meeting The next meeting will be January 13, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. Motion to adjourn made by Chris Thibado, second by Matt Holcomb, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:46 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Dawn Churchill, Clerk Approved 01/13/26