Town Board Meeting — Minutes

Page 1 of 2 Town of Merton Town Board Meeting Minutes of December 8, 2025 • Meeting Called to Order by Chairman Klink 6:30 pm • Pledge of Allegiance led by Chairman Klink • Minutes of November 10, 2025 and November 24, 2025 Town Board Meeting. A motion to approve the November 24 minutes was made by Herrick/Olson. Motion carried. Present: Chairman Klink, Supervisors Herrick, Olson, Fleming and Krogmann, DPW Director Griffin, and Clerk Hann. Absent: Treasurer Kempen, Attorney Murn Also, in attendance: James Graff, Bob Mikulec, Sean Gallaway, Roberta Thompson, Kelly Berens, Jenny Oman, Mark Theisen, Steve Luterbach, Tom Kulma, Tom & Laura Milbrath, Charles Hawkins, Hilarie Puestow, Mark Thompson, Ryan Wick. Citizen Comments and Concerns: Laura Milbrath spoke on aeration ordinance. Karen Barney spoke on safety concerns of having aerators and presented pictures. Bob Mikulec spoke on the education of aerators and the uses of aerators. Chairman Klink did respond that lakes are for everyone and ice can be unsafe however aerators are creating a man-made concern which can make the ice unsafe. Monica Hartl spoke on safety for wake boating and aerators and the recent road treatment used on Camp Whitcomb Road. Chief Wraalstad talked about the Aerator Ordinance and why an ordinance was presented to the Town of Merton Board. She stated that the DNR Wardens can not enforce the aerators if residents are not mark them correctly. She also stated several reasons why aerators prevent the natural creation of ice. She reviewed the language of the ordinance for the residents. The Village of Lac LaBelle/Town of Oconomowoc did pass an Aerator Ordinance and is asking the Town of Merton to review an ordinance because we share Okauchee Lake with the Village. The City of Oconomowoc is currently reviewing an ordinance and Western Lakes Fire District has asked all their Fire District Members to look at doing an ordinance. Old Business: Discussion and Possible Action on a Town of Merton Aerator Ordinance. Supervisor Olson asked the when the ordinance would go into effect. Clerk Hann stated that when an ordinance is passed by the board then the Town follows the posting requirements and the ordinance goes into effect right away. Supervisor Fleming asked how residents would take them out if there is ice. Chairmen Klink stated that the power would have to turned off. A motion to approve the Town of Merton Aerator Ordinance was made by Fleming/Olson. Supervisor Herrick stated that since the Police and Fire Department are recommending this Ordinance, we should pass it. Motion carried. New Business: Consider/Act on Election Workers for 2026 -2027. Clerk Hann presented the list of Elections Workers along with recommendations from the parties. A motion to approve the Election Workers for 2026-2027 was made by Herrick/Krogmann. Motion carried. Page 2 of 2 Discussion on Stone Bank Community Connect and Stone Bank Community Park. Chairman Klink invited Stone Bank Community Connect to introduce themselves since they will be taking over the Stone Bank Lions Club. Steve Luterbach talked about the plans for the park and the grant opportunities options that are out there. He introduced all the committee members to the town board. Chairman Klink talked about the plan for rest rooms and keeping the town board informed of the future planning. Consider/Act on Updating the Phone System for the Town Hall, Highway Building and Townhall Library. Clerk Hann talked to the board about the current phone system used by the townhall, DPW and the Library. The Centrex Line Program is not going to be supported by ATT in the near future and the State is no longer given a discount any more. Clerk Hann started to look at digital phone systems and presented two digital phone companies for the board to look at. Clerk Hann recommended going with Expand Communications and Nextiva for the digital phone system. Supervisor Olson asked if the currently offer service to other communities. Ryan Wick from Expand Communication was present and listed communities that they currently service. He explained that ATT is getting away from copper land lines and that is why we need to change. Chairman Klink asked about the time frame to change. Ryan Wick stated that this is a Voice Over Internet Protocol system and what most phone systems are moving to and there is no down time. He would provide all the training and once all the new phones are received the phones will be sitting side by side which the change is process. A motion to approve Expand Communications/Nextiva was made by Herrick/Olson. Motion carried. Clerk, Board, Highway, Treasurer and Attorney Reports. DPW Director commented on the road treatment on Camp Whitcomb Road and that it keeps the road from cracking and it has been used in other communities for about 20 years. And stated the road is darker after the application however it will be absorbed into the road over the year. Clerk Hann talked about tax bills being out to the residents and updates to the website on the fire fee and assessment questions. Vouchers as Presented – A motion to approve the vouchers as presented was made by Herrick/Olson. Motion carried. Adjourn - A motion to adjourn was made by Fleming/Krogmann. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m. Respectfully Submitted Donna Hann, Town Clerk