Annual Meeting — Minutes

Town of Oregon Annual Meeting Minutes Tuesday, April 21, 2026 1. Call to Order Town Board Chair Carl Walser called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Chair Walser clarified that this was a meeting of the electors, not a Town Board meeting. 2. Approval of minutes from the 2025 annual meeting Chair Walser provided time for review of the 2025 Annual Meeting minutes. No changes were requested. 3. Set 2027 annual meeting (Statutory Date April 20, 2027) Town Board Chair Carl Walser confirmed with those in attendance that the 2027 Annual Meeting will be held on the statutory date of April 20, 2027. 4. Any new business by electors §60.10 Wis. Stats. Chair Walser asked if there was any new business from those in attendance. Laurie Fitzgerald, 5235 Locust Grove Road, spoke regarding adjustments to Town Board compensation. She distributed a summary of current compensation, noting that the Town Chair currently receives $8,000 annually and Town Board Supervisors each receive $4,000 annually, for a total annual salary expense of $24,000. Fitzgerald proposed a revised compensation structure effective in 2027, under which the Town Chair would receive $6,000 annually and Town Board Supervisors would each receive $5,000 annually, for a total annual salary expense of $26,000. She stated that the proposal would provide more equitable compensation among board members, recognize the Chair’s additional statutory duties, and have a minimal impact on the overall budget. She also noted that the current structure undervalues the contributions of Town Board Supervisors. Motion by Fitzgerald that the electors of the Town of Oregon approve this reorganization of compensation structure so that each supervisor will receive $5,000 a year or $1,000 increase over the current $4,000 and the chairman will receive $6,000 per year. Second by Mike Grochowski, 775 County Highway D, Brooklyn, WI. Discussion followed among those in attendance, including consideration of overall compensation, ensuring equitable pay among board members, and implementation beginning in 2027. Chair Walser called for a vote by a show of hands. 9-Yes, 0-No, 1-Abstain (Kay). Motion passes. Annual Meeting Minutes April 21, 2025, Page 2 Laurie Fitzgerald, 5235 Locust Grove Road, spoke regarding a proposed change to the ballot structure for Town Board Supervisor elections, from a multi-seat format to individually numbered single-seat positions. She noted that she has appeared on the ballot twice, both times unopposed, and described instances where election results caused confusion among voters, including situations in which candidates received condolences despite being elected. She stated this suggests some voters may not fully understand the current multi-seat format, particularly the instruction to “vote for no more than two.” Fitzgerald explained that a single-seat structure could reduce voter confusion, make it clearer when a seat is contested, and allow voters to write in a candidate for a specific race. She added that candidates could benefit by selecting a specific seat and running against a single opponent rather than multiple candidates, which may reduce incumbent advantage and encourage new perspectives. She also noted that a single-seat format could be beneficial if a candidate withdraws after filing nomination papers, as it would allow for a focused write-in campaign and avoid the need for Board appointment. She clarified that the proposed single-seat structure would not create geographic wards, and seats would not be assigned specific town board duties. Motion by Fitzgerald that the electors of the Town of Oregon approve the change from at-large seats, with a multi-seat ballot structure, to individually numbered seats for the Town of Oregon Board of Supervisors. Second by Mike Grochowski, 775 County Highway D, Brooklyn, WI. Discussion followed among those in attendance, including considerations related to candidates declaring seat numbers when filing nomination papers, voter selection under a single-seat format, potential changes to ballot design, the impact on election outcomes, the frequency of contested elections, and the importance of community engagement. Chair Walser called for a vote by a show of hands. 5-Yes, 5-No. The vote resulted in a tie. Motion failed. 5. Oregon Area Fire EMS District Report – Chief Glenn Linzmeier Oregon Area Fire & EMS District (OAFED) Chief Glenn Linzmeier presented the 2025 OAFED Annual Report. He expressed appreciation to Town residents and Town Board members for their continued support of the district. Chief Linzmeier addressed inquiries he received regarding the Sugar River Emergency Medical Services (EMS) District merger, noting that it would affect only a small portion of residents within the Town of Oregon. He reported that OAFED operates at a Level B designation and provides training resources to other fire & Annual Meeting Minutes April 21, 2025, Page 3 EMS departments. He also noted that the district has achieved an ISO Class 2 insurance rating, which may result in lower insurance premiums for homeowners. Chief Linzmeier stated that the district continues to evaluate its capital improvement plans, including the need for reliable facilities to adequately staff personnel for fire and EMS services. He added that discussions are ongoing regarding potential consolidation and the formation of a larger fire and EMS district. While consolidation is not expected to reduce costs, it may help maintain response times. 6. Oregon Senior Center Report – Rachel Brickner Oregon Senior Center Director Rachel Brickner presented an update on the Oregon Senior Center and thanked the Town for 46 years of partnership. She noted that the Town is currently in the third year of a five -year contract with the Village of Oregon. Ms. Brickner shared statistics demonstrating the range of services provided and their cumulative impact since 2015. She reported that, despite space limitations at the current facility restricting growth, there has been increased utilization of health services, higher attendance at social groups, and more frequent visits to the Center. She added that new groups and programming opportunities continue to be developed, including games, educational programs, and support services. Statistics specifically related to services provided to Town of Oregon residents were also presented. Ms. Brickner reported that construction has begun on a new $18 million senior center, to be located at the former site of the library and post office. The Center will remain in its current facility until the new building is complete. The new facility is ex pected to include a commercial kitchen, emergency shelter space, a gymnasium with an indoor walking track, and community rooms. Exterior features will include a covered drive area to a ssist volunteers with loading and unloading. The building will also provide small private consultation spaces for services such as tax preparation, telehealth visits, and veterans’ benefits assistance. She announced that the annual Brat Sale fundraiser will be held on Friday, May 8, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Oregon Senior Center. Ms. Brickner also shared that she will be retiring in June after 16 years. Annual Meeting Minutes April 21, 2025, Page 4 7. Dane County Sheriff Report – Deputy Collins Dane County Sheriff’s Deputy Hayley Collins presented the Dane County Sheriff’s Office Calls for Service and Citations Report covering January 2025 through December 2025 and January 2026 through April 19, 2026. She reviewed the report statistics and explained how incidents are categorized and tracked by the nature of the call. She noted that the majority of citations issued are related to speeding. Deputy Collins also explained the Dane County Sheriff’s Office Beat Map and that deputies patrol multiple municipalities, which may affect visibility in any one area at a given time. She distributed informational materials outlining available resources, including mobile applications for emergency weather alerts, suspicious activity notifications, confidential reporting, and emergency response updates. Additional topics discussed included support for law enforcement, a recent complaint involving a bicyclist failing to stop for a school bus, general traffic concerns, methods for reporting crime, and reminders regarding crime prevention. 8. Presentation of 2025Annual Town Financial Statements – Clerk Hanson & Treasurer Goth Treasurer Goth presented the 2025 beginning and ending balances for all Town bank accounts, along with monthly interest rates. She reported that Dane County implemented a new tax collection software system in 2025, which the Town used for the first time. The new system allows property tax payments to be reflected on Access Dane the day after posting, compared to the prior system, which could take over a month. Property tax payment receipts are now also available online and accessible at any time. Chair Walser called for a recess at 8:28 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 8:35 p.m. Sharon Christensen, 4827 Rome Corners Road, inquired about the cost of the vision survey. Chair Walser stated he did not recall the exact amount but would provide that information. He added that the Town Board is considering forming subcommittees to focus on “quick wins” identified through the survey results. Hanson presented a comparison of the 2025 budget to actual revenues and expenditures, highlighting increase in shared revenue and decrease in highway equipment due to not purchasing snowplow truck. She reported that in 2025 the Town borrowed $121,000 for expenditures planned in 2026 and $516,600 for road work and capital outlay, bringing total indebtedness at year-end to Annual Meeting Minutes April 21, 2025, Page 5 $1,000,089.16. The year concluded with a net General Fund balance of $175,500.76. Hanson also noted that the Town’s audit was completed by Baker Tilly. The firm’s “Calculation of Various Cash Balances” identified $177,543 in externally designated funds, including $137,232 in unspent loan proceeds and $40,311 designated for parks. The undesignated balance of $1,076,342 is available for use in 2026. 9. Park Committee Report – Park Committee Member Diane Packett Diane Packett, a member of the Park Committee, presented a report on completed and ongoing improvements at Ravenoaks Park, Bicentennial Park, Hillcrest Park, Kennedy Park, and Town Park. She noted that over the past year, the Park Committee updated numerous park benches across the system. Ms. Packett highlighted a current project involving an Eagle Scout initiative to construct a park shelter near the parking lot at Town Park. She also noted that, in addition to park oversight and maintenance, the committe e is responsible for management of the Town’s two cemeteries. At Storytown Cemetery, native prairie plantings have been installed along the roadway slope in place of traditional turf grass, reducing mowing requirements for the Town road crew. She commended the Park Committee chair, committee members, and Town staff for their dedication, hard work, and significant accomplishments. Ms. Packett also is willing to continue to support efforts to expand community involvement opportunities within the Town parks. 10. Belleville Fire EMS Report – Town Chair Carl Walser Chair Walser reported a scheduling conflict between the Town Board’s monthly meeting and the Belleville Fire & EMS meeting, requiring a town resident to attend on the Board’s behalf. After contacting residents within the Belleville Fire & EMS service area, Mike Grochowski, 775 County Highway D, Brooklyn, WI, agreed to serve as the representative. Mr. Grochowski reported that both the Fire and EMS departments are in strong financial condition, supported by active and successful fundraising efforts. He noted that the departments remain highly regarded in the community, with strong participation from both volunteers and paid staff. He also shared that the planned merger with New Glarus will position the departments to pursue the Annual Meeting Minutes April 21, 2025, Page 6 State Innovation Grant. Additionally, Mr. Grochowski highlighted recent EMS activity, including the successful delivery of a baby with complications and the resuscitation of a heart attack patient. He noted that the annual raffle is currently underway, with a QR code available for participation. 11. Brooklyn Fire EMS Report – Town Supervisor Steve Jernegan Steve Jernegan, 5464 Alan Dr., representing the Town Board on the Brooklyn Fire EMS District, presented several highlights. He noted that a new tender truck is needed and provided an update on discussions regarding potential OAFED consolidation. He discussed the benefits of sharing equipment and streamlining administration, as well as the district’s decision to participate in the request for proposal process. He added that the Town represents approximately 20% of the district. 12. Road & Traffic Safety Committee Report – Town Supervisor Arlan Kay Arlan Kay, 5685 Lincoln Rd., reported that the Town maintains approximately 54 miles of roadway. He explained that the committee has developed a maintenance plan alternating between major road work in one year and minor or maintenance work in the following year. He also noted that the plan includes road striping improvements. Kay stated that 2026 will be a maintenance year, while 2027 is scheduled as a major construction year, with planned work on Bell Brook, Rome Corners, Frenchtown, and Judd Road. He added that culvert replacement projects remain dependent on available State grant funding. He further explained that each spring the Town evaluates roadway conditions to update the five-year Road Maintenance Plan. Kay also noted that the committee continues to address items placed within the road right-of-way that may create safety hazards. Gloria Compton, 861 Della Rd., expressed appreciation for the road striping, stating it has been the most significant improvement since moving to the area. 13. Adjournment Chair Walser adjourned the April 21, 2026 Annual Meeting by unanimous consent at 8:39 p.m. Annual Meeting Minutes April 21, 2025, Page 7 Respectfully Submitted, Jennifer Hanson, Clerk