Public Budget Hearing — Minutes

Roger Hodel called the Town of Montrose Public Budget Hearing to order on the proposed budget for 2026 on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at 7:00pm. Present: Roger Hodel, Town Chair; Paul Schaller, First Supervisor; Cory Brown, Second Supervisor; Jennifer Armstrong, Town Clerk/Treasurer Residents: Jean Hodel, Ann Sayles, John Sayles, Jeanne Blasburg, Jr Eichelkraut, Wayde Judd, TIm Bahls, Magdalena Wijaya Non-residents: Melissa Huggins. Nic Mink joined during the Regular Town Board Meeting. Jennifer Armstrong, Town Clerk, presented the details of the proposed budget for 2026 by reviewing the proposed budget and detailed handout; all questions were addressed. Paul Schaller made a motion to close the Public Budget Hearing, seconded by Cory Brown, approved by Roger Hodel. Hearing closed. Roger Hodel, Town Chair, called to order the Special Town Meeting of the Electors of the Town of Montrose immediately following the Public Budget Hearing at 7:20pm. Tim Bahls made a motion to accept the 2026 Town of Montrose tax levy of $ 506,637, an increase of 16.43%, John Sayles seconded the motion to accept. The tax levy was accepted by voice vote. Paul Schaller made a motion to close the Special Town Meeting of the Electors, seconded by Cory Brown, approved by Roger Hodel. Meeting adjourned. Roger called the meeting to order the Special Town Meeting to Approve the Budget to order immediately following the meeting of the Electors at 7:25pm. Paul Schaller moved to accept the proposed budget as presented at the Public Budget Hearing and the tax levy in the amount of $ 506,637, Cory Brown seconded the motion, made unanimous by Roger Hodel. Paul Schaller moved to close the Special Town Meeting to approve the Budget seconded by Cory Brown, approved my Roger Hodel. Meeting Adjourned. Roger Hodel called to order the Regular Town Board Meeting at 7:30PM, immediately following the Special Town Meeting to Approve the Budget. The meeting(s) was posted according to law. Jennifer Armstrong read the minutes from the October Regular Town Meeting. Paul Schaller made a motion to approve the minutes as read, seconded by Cory Brown, approved by Roger Hodel. Jennifer Armstrong presented the treasurer’s report. Paul Schaller made a motion to approve the treasurer’s report as presented and to pay all bills, Cory Brown seconded, Roger Hodel approved. Announcements Jennifer Armstrong submitted a LRIP application for asphalt on Judd Road, a project in conjunction with the Town of Oregon. Deputy Hayley Collins, from the Dane County’s Sheriff’s office, will be present at the town board meeting on December 2, to answer any questions during the Public Input portion of the meeting, to present some educational opportunities and general safety information, as well as provide some area statistics from January through November 2025. Effective January 1, 2026, New Glarus will become a part of Belleville EMS as a one year trial temporary agreement. It was discussed that we are part of the Dane County Town’s Association as well as the Wisconsin Town’s Association. Jr Eichelkraut, Land Use Chairman, presented the Judd request and read the approval of the recommendation from the Land Use Committee, unanimously approved by the committee. Roger asked if the stated contingencies had been met. Melissa Huggins was present representing the Judd’s and said they were in progress working on meeting the contingencies. Paul Schaller made a motion to approve, with the same contingencies as approved by the Land Use Committee (LUC), David and Patricia’s request to allow two secondary residences above a horse barn at 6412 County Road A in Section 13 contingent on: 1) Should the Judd’s Green Meadows Stables go out of business, be sold to new owners, or undergo a name change; 2) Should these two apartments not meet county public health regulations for septic mound capacity, holding tank requirements, or any sanitary sewer related concerns; and 3) Should these residences not pass building and zoning inspections of electric, plumbing, heating, water and related services; then this CUP would become invalid and the apartments would need to be vacated if no new CUP was obtained. This request meets the standards for approval of a CUP under s. 10.101(7) of Dane County’s zoning ordinance. Cory Brown seconded, Motion passed unanimously. Jr Eichelkraut presented the Nic Mink proposed request to amend the indoor lodging of the current CUP to provide 14 additional rooms by building a 30 x 60 free standing separate lodge directly north of the existing building,. The present septic system is sufficient to serve the new lodge. Jr stated he already has the zoning that allows the addition, subject to all existing conditions of original CUP. The proposal passed unanimously by the LUC. Paul Schaller made a motion to approve the Paoli Cheese Factory Association LLC’s request to amend the commercial indoor lodging portion of its current CUP #2648 to provide up to 14 rooms at 6858 Paoli Road in Section 3. This request meets the standards for amending a CUP under s. 10.101(7) of Dane County’s zoning ordinance. Seconded by Cory Brown, made unanimous by Roger Hodel. Cory Brown moved to approve the operator’s license for Brad Anderson, The Cottage Goddess, LLC, d/b/a The Tipsy Gypsy, contingent upon receiving the necessary paperwork and fees. Seconded by Paul Schaller, approved by Roger Hodel. The board reviewed the increase in dog license fees by the county for 2026, and decided to leave the Town of Montrose dog license fees the same as 2025. Discussion about the committee forming to update the Town Comprehensive Plan as required by the Wisconsin State Statute every 10 years. Dane County uses town comprehensive plans to determine if rezoning petitions are consistent with the goals and policies of the plans. Paul Schaller made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:35pm, seconded by Cory Brown. Meeting adjourned.