Town Board — Minutes

Town of Lincoln Regular Meeting April 8, 2025 Chairman Bill Hassey called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m., Pledge of Allegiance, Present: Hassey, Supervisors, Bruce Richter, Ken Fox, Kim Simac and Bill Marshall, Clerk/Treasurer, Shelly Sauvola and Deputy Clerk/Treasurer, Sherry Schmidt. Nine other interested persons were in attendance. Open Meeting Statement and Verification Media Notification given by Hassey. The agenda was board approved on a motion by Marshall, seconded by Simac, all in favor, motion carried. The minutes from March 1 1, 2025, Regular Meeting were approved on a motion by Simac, seconded by Fox, all in favor, motion carried. The March Treasurer's Report was provided to the Town Board. Incredible Bank general account balance, $143,625.27 the tax savings account balance, $11,686.40, the town hall maintenance account balance, $85,463.90, Peoples Bank savings account balance, $199,430.30 and Nicolet National Bank CD $169,743.79. Chairman Hassey reponed that the Oneil Road roadwork bid came in at approximately $144,000 ($72,000 each, shared with the Town of Three Lakes). Hassey also reported that Lincoln has a future roadwork plan in place through 2029. Chairman Hassey thanked Clerk Sauvola and Deputy Clerk Sherry Schmidt for all their work with the Spring Election and offered congratulations for a job well done. Hassey thanked outgoing Supervisor Bill Marshall for his past contributions to the town and welcomed aboard incoming Supervisor Dick Stoegbauer. Supervisor Fox gave an update on the Landfill and reported a delay with a permit for the clay hauling from Adams Road. The New Sales Manager for Northern Wisconsin Republic Services Susan Malmanger wasn't present at the meeting but plans to be in attendance for the Annual Meeting on August 15th Operator License Applications for Christopher C. Marion and Allen D. Lee were approved on a motion by Marshall, seconded by Richter, all in favor, motion carried. The approval to move forward with Focus on Energy Lighting Upgrade Project with the funding coming from the Town Hall Maintenance account was made on a motion from Richter, seconded by Simac, all in favor, motion carried. The board approved the payment of bills, vouchers #18121 through #18151. Motion to adjourn made by Fox, seconded by Simac, all in favor, motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 6:56 p.m. Shelly D. Sauvola Town ClerWTreasurer Town of Lincoln Special Meeting April 15, 2025 The Special Meeting was called to order at 5:31 p.m. by Chairman Bill Hassey. Pledge of Allegiance, Present: Hassey, Supervisors; Kim Simac, Dick Stoegbauer, Ken Fox and Bruce Richter, Clerk/Treasurer, Shelly Sauvola and Deputy Clerk/Treasurer, Sherry Schmidt. One other interested person was in attendance. The Open Meeting Statement and Verification Media Notice given by Hassey. The agenda was board approved on a motion by Stoegbauer, seconded by Richter, all in favor, motion carried. The board approved making an application for a loan from the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands, Trust Funds of the State of Wisconsin in the amount of $500,000.00 (payable within 2 years) for the purpose of financing 2025 roadwork projects on a motion by Simac, seconded by Fox, all in favor, motion carried. Resolution 2025-01, Borrow Funds From the BCPL State of Wisconsin Trust Funds and Levy Tax was adopted on a motion by Stoegbauer, seconded by Simac, all in favor, Simac aye, Stoegbauer aye, Hassey aye, Fox aye, Richter aye, motion carried. A motion to adjourn was made by Richter, seconded by Fox all in favor, motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 5:37 p.m. Shelly D. uvola, Clerk/Treasurer Town of Lincoln Annual Meeting April 15, 2025 Chairman, Bill Hassey, called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance, Present, Hassey, Supervisors, Dick Stoegbauer, Ken Fox, Bruce Richter and Kim Simac, and ClerWTreasurer,Shelly Sauvola and Deputy ClerWTreasurer, Sherry Schmidt, Town Attorney Steve Lucareli also in attendance. 60 additional interested persons were in attendance. The Open Meeting Statement and Verification Media Notice given by Chairman Hassey. The Annual Meeting Agenda was approved on a motion by Barb Leveille, seconded by Roger Williams, motion carried. The 2024 Annual Meeting minutes were approved on a motion by Laurie Stoegbauer, seconded by Roger Williams, motion carried. Laurie Stoegbauer and Barb Leveille, Board of Trustees for the library, were present to give a year in review of the Walter E. Olson Memorial Library. Fire Chief Michael Anderson was present on behalf of the Joint Municipal Fire Department to give a report. Rob Hom of the Eagle River Union Airport gave an annual update. Susan Malmanger, Sales Manager for Northern Wisconsin Republic Services, was present to introduce herself. Town Supervisor, Ken Fox gave an update on the Landfill Venture Group and Supervisor Kim Simac gave an update on the Ambulance Commission. Bill Marshall provided an update on the Broadband Expansion project and reported on the Planning Commission Comprehensive Plan progress. Chairman Hassey reported on the roadwork plan for 2025 and announced that the town is borrowing $500,000 from the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands this year for roadwork and an additional $100,000 later in the year for the new ladder truck purchase for the Fire Department to help offset the Lincoln share of the purchase totaling $208,000. Both loan balances are to be paid in full in 2026. Hassey reported that the town currently has a road plan in place through 2029. Annual Committee appointments for the 2025-2026 were announced. MAIN DEPOSITORY, INCREDIBLE BANK, TOWN ATTORNEY, STEVE LUCARELI, AIRPORT coMM1ss10N, GARY MUELLER & ROGER SHADICK, LIBRARY BOARD, LAURIE STOEGBAUER & BARB LEVEILLE LANDFILL VENTURE GROUP,KENFOX- TOWN BOARD FIRE COMMISSION, BRUCE RICHTER - TOWN BOARD, AMBULANCE COMMISSION, KIMSIMAC - TOWN BOARD, RECYCLING AGENT, KEN FOX- TOWN BOARD, PLANNING coMM1ss10N, PETER ANDERSON 111, BILL MARSHALL JOHNHEALY, KURT HARTWIG, KEN FOX- TOWN BOARD, DICK STOEGBAUER- TOWN BOARD AND BILL HASSEY- TOWN BOARD, EMERGENCY GOVERNMENT LIASON, KIMSIMAC - TOWN BOARD, ROOM TAX COMMISSION, RONALD VAN DUSEN PARKS & RECREATION, BRUCE RICHTER-TOWNBOARD, AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES, BILL LOCHTE, COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN, MICHAEL ANDERSON. 2024 year-end budget report was presented and the Annual Financial Report from KerberRose for 2024 was available. A question-and-answer session was opened up. Chairman Hassey called for any Public Comments. Rob Hom, Billet Coordinator for the Wisconsin Windigo Team, North American Hockey League was present requesting game attendance and support for the team. Hom also asking those in attendance that are able and have a spare bedroom, to consider hosting a player. Nancy Schuller introduced herself as a 32-year resident of the town. Schuller made a motion that the Town of Lincoln join the Great River Trail Commission for a $500 commitment, may be on a one-year trial basis. A second to the motion was made by Cindy Burzinski. Bill Hassey, Town Chairman spoke from the prospective of the town board, reading a letter that was submitted to Jeff Currie on May 10, 2023, with copies going to Rep. Rob Swearingen, Sen. Felzkowski, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to name a few. The letter stating that the Town of Lincoln will not support the creation of the bike trail between the town of St. Germain and City of Eagle River along the Hwy 70 corridor because it doesn't provide a safe pathway for users. Hassey reiterating that this has been the stance the board has taken for 5 years now, and it hasn't changed. Hassey expressing additional concern because the crossing of Highway 70 isn't just two or three times, any residents living in Cloverland or Lincoln, on the opposite side of the road, need to crossover to get on the bike trail as well. Vilas County Sheriff Joe Fath has expressed concerns with the safety of the Highway 70 Corridor. Jason and Nicole Bach, owners of the Wildwood Outdoor Adventures & Campground, located off of Highway 17 South, spoke in favor of the bike trail and liking the idea of expanding economic growth. The campground owners also reported that their guests were looking for a safe passage to get to Eagle River from their business. Town Attorney Steve Lucareli spoke, he felt that in the unfortunate event that somebody gets injured or killed after the town has stated over and over, it isn't safe, could be opening themselves up to a lawsuit. Lucareli also reminded everyone in attendance that they must be town residents if they want to vote on this matter. Supervisor Simac spoke about her concerns with bike trail safety and the associated expenses to the town, when any other clubs want trails, they pay their own way, i.e. clubs like snowmobilers and ATVs and owners of horses. Jim Meiers called for a vote; Chairman Hassey again reminded everyone that only Town of Lincoln residents were allowed to vote. A hand count vote was conducted, the initial vote count was totaled, 26 were in favor and 32 were opposed, the motion failed. Two non-Lincoln residents were found to have voted in favor of the motion; the total votes were corrected to 24 in favor and 32 opposed. Patrick Schmidt, Chief Deputy, Vilas County Sheriffs Department was present to warn everyone about the increasing number of scams that are happening in the area and the substantial amounts of money lost to scammers on a weekly basis. Schmidt just wanting everyone to be aware of the ongoing problem and asking everyone to look out for their neighbors. The meeting was adjourned at 7:33 p.m. on a motion by Michael Anderson, seconded by Roger Williams, motion carried. Shelly D. auvola, Clerk/ Treasurer