2023.04.18 Annual Meeting Proceedings

PROCEEDINGS – Tuesday, April 19, 2023 TOWN OF CHASE ANNUAL MEETING  Call to Order and Roll Call - Chairman Gary Van Lannen Town Board Chairman, Gary Van Lannen called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Chase Town Hall, located at 8481 County Road S, Pulaski WI 54162. 7 Board Members present: Chairman – Gary Van Lannen, Supervisor – Dennis Kroll, Supervisor – Jeff Van Enkevort, Clerk – Jeromy Delebreau, Deputy Clerk – Cindy Kroll, Treasurer – Mae Micolichek, and Deputy Treasurer – Colleen Walgurski (non-resident). 43 residents present, and 1 non-resident present  Recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag The Pledge was recited.  Hear and Approve 2022 Annual Meeting Minutes Clerk Jeromy Delebreau presented and read the 2022 annual meeting minut es. Minutes included 2022 minute summary, 2022 financial statement, Town updates, Pulaski Tri County Fire Department Update, N.E.W. Para-Medic Rescue Report, and Oconto County Sheriff’s Department Report. Motion by Leroy Jeske/Al Szczepanski to accept the 2022 annual meeting minutes. The motion was called and carried 27-0 with a hand-count vote.  Present 2022 Financial Statement Treasurer Mae Micolichek presented the 2022 Financial Statement of balances including expenditures and revenue for the year. Copies of the report were available. Treasurer Mae Micolichek explained that the Town took over the Cemetery in North Chase and that money is $20,533.41. Treasurer Mae Micolichek also pointed out on the Balance Sheet that the town has two loans out, pavilion loa n for $29,772.69 and the tractor loan for $115,919,23. The new Town of Chase website was also shown to community members and Mae asked community members to please be patient with us as we work through issues as well as content. Packerland is the vendor who built the website. Our goal is to get the most accurate and informative data as we can for the community. Motion by Norb Reinhard/Mike Sievert to accept the 2022 financial statement. The motion was called and carried 23-0 with a hand-count vote.  Town Updates – Chairman Gary Van Lannen Chairman Van Lannen provided updates on projects the town is working on. Chairman Van Lannen also stated that over the weekend that 10 signs were stolen or taken down and if anyone knows anything regarding this to contact the Oconto County Sheriff department. Chairman Van Lannen shared that snow plowing expenses this winter totaled around $155,617 and that the road budget is $300,000. The plan is to fix a few roads and patch the rest. The town is working with Oconto County and prioritizing roads such as Holewinski, South Chase, Gohr, Safian, Bialozynski, Hayward and Cty C intersection, and Lower Road and Maple Ridge Circle intersection. Chairman Van Lannen also commented that the ARPA funds were used to put new flooring in at the Town Hall and Stone Barn, Furnace, and Water Heater for the Town Hall.  Pulaski Tri County Fire - Adam Ambrosius and Jeromy Day Adam Ambrosius, a lieutenant of the Pulaski County Fire Department, reported that the fire department is currently staffed with 36 volunteer members that meet twice per month. Adam Ambrosius, reminded the community members that if the Fire Department is called, that the homeowner is responsible. Adam Ambrosius also shared that before starting a controlled burn, the Tri County Fire Department and the County Sheriff Department needs to be called. Jeromy Day, a volunteer of the Pulaski County Fire Department also reported that there are 160 more people this year than last. Total runs were a t a 172 compared to the previous year of 205. The Pulaski County Fire Department shows an increase of 5% for operating and equipment expenses. Items of concern that were addressed in their budget were increasing vehicle and protective equipment. In 2022 a DNR Grant was received and they purchased more wildland gear and a used ladder apparatus in 2022. Partnered with Howard and Suamico and setup a 3 -story specialized training center near Maple Wood Meats. Currently starting the process to look at a new tender truck. The department raised over $20,000 in a bowling tournament that they hosted, and they have an upcoming Meat Raffle event at Tic’s Harbor Lights in Suamico.  N.E.W. Para-Medic Rescue Report – Jason Cotherman Jason Cotherman, a supervisor with N.E.W Para-Medic, stated that he is 1 of 3 full-time Paramedics. 2022 was another great year in which they were able to give back $131.91 to the communities who support them, with the Town of Chase receiving $31.08. Ended the year with 663 responses (up 2 responses from 2021), 492 transports, and 171 no transports for a year end no transport rate at 25.8%. Responded to 73 times to the Town of Chase out of 663 responses. 41 mutual aid requests sent to other rescue squads (mainly County Rescue) due to being on a call already. Average response time in Chase was 10 minutes and 26 seconds from the time 911 dispatched, until they showed up at the door. Most rural areas have an average response time of 17- 20 minutes. Excited about being more interactive in the community with doing football, scouting events, polka days parade and other township standby events. A new Lifeline Ambulance was ordered and should come in the end of 2024, and cost around $267,377. Bids were received from Wheeled Coach $290,223, and Horton $311,988.  Oconto County Sheriff Department – Garret Baeten Deputy Baeten reported there were 770 calls, a 6% increase from 2022. No major concerns or issues from the Town of Chase. Goals for 2023 will be high traffic safety, impaired drivers, and substance abuse. April 24 from 7 to 9 am is Coffee with a Cop.  Oconto County Housing Study – Jayme Sellen Jayme Sellen, Executive Director for Oconto County presented a housing study. The study included demographics, projected growth, median age, household characteristics, vacancy rates, housi ng gap analysis, median income and affordability, and employers who are hiring in the area. Chase is ranked #2 for the 5 fastest growing municipalities which included Little Suamico has #1, Pensaukee, Abrams, and Oconto.  Other Business o Van Lannen thanked the speakers. o Van Lannen thanked the Town Workers. o Van Lannen thanked Cindy Kroll, Mae Micolichek, and Colleen Walgurski for putting the meal together.  Annual Meeting 2023 The law provides that the annual town meeting date shall be the third Tuesday of April or within ten days after, which will be set to Tuesday April 16, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.  Garbage Pickup for Chase Motion by Matt Piontek/Mike Schwarm to have the Town of Chase get estimates from Waste Management, GFL, and others to see what the cost would be for Garbage Pickup. The motion was called and carried 28- 1 with a hand-count vote.  Pulaski Compost Use Motion by Mike Schwarm/Tom Olive to have the Town of Chase capture cost estimates from Pulaski to see what the cost would be for Chase residents to use the Pulaski Compost site. The motion was called and carried 22-1 with a hand-count vote.  Adjournment Motion by Norbert Reinhard/Mike Seivert to adjourn the meeting at 9:01 p.m. Motion was called and carried 34-0. A hand count was taken. We enjoyed ham, chips, dips, finger foods, and desserts after the meeting. Jeromy J. Delebreau/Clerk & Cindy Kroll/Deputy Clerk Posted: 04/19/2023