October 13 draft minutes

Regular Board Meeting Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Townsend Town Hall 6:00 p.m. Chairperson Charles DeMoulin called the meeting to order at 6:00pm Roll call: Chairperson Chuck DeMoulin, Supervisor Willie Evans, Supervisor Rick Opiela, Treasurer Beth Hartman, Clerk Linda Ziegler. 20 citizens Verification of proper agenda notice: Ziegler posted the agenda October 7, 2026 at Townsend Post Office, Townsend Town Hall, Laona State Bank, Townsend Branch, and www.townsendwisconsin.org. Evans made the motion to approval of agenda, 2 nd by Opiela – M/A Motion made by Evans to accept the minutes of the September 8, 2026 meeting, 2 nd by Opiela – M/A Treasures report – Hartman gave a P&L budget performance report. Received $45,119.00 from PILT, not much activity in September. Motion by Evans to approve the report and pay all the bills, 2nd by Opiela – M/A Ambulance Report – Report on file. Chief Harkema reported 29 calls in September. The building addition is going fast with the first phase completed the outside and sealing before the snow flies and the 2nd phase would be finishing the interior. The new ambulance is being tweaked. They implemented Lab Tech Software that will keep trac of payroll, rig checks, med checks and DEA requirements. The Chili Cookoff was fun, with Roger Gieger voted the winner Fire Department report – Report on file. Chief Herlache reported eight calls this month. Fall fire inspections have started. They received a DNR grant for wildland safety equipment. The open house was well attended. Volunteers participated in live burn training on Sunday. Friends of Townsend Fire – Wanda Laste reported Anita Szyskiewicz has joined the board of directors. Members helped at Wabeno Elementary for fire prevention demonstration. The open house was well attended. FOTF will participate in Trunk or Treat October 31 and serve refreshments at the fall craft fair November 21 st. Lakes Country Library- Kathleen Marsh reported the last book sale was successful. November 20 will have a bake sale at Supervalu. The committee is still searching for a Library Director. October 22, Brenda Mielke will give a talk on the history of Mountain. NOCCO – Report on file. 58 calls in September Permits/Licenses: Operator’s License for Jamie Sommer; Evans made the motion to approve, 2 nd by Opiela – M/A. Alcohol Beverage License application for IB Properties, LLC, dba The Buffalo North 16861 Unity Drive, Townsend. Daniel Kupsch, Agent. Ziegler posted the necessary notices and conducted background and permit checks. DeMoulin made the motion to approve the application, 2nd by Opiela – M/A Business: 1. Land Division Parcel #042-202004931I, Bluebird Lane. Ed Robertson, Planning & Zoning board member, reported the Schmit’s would like to turn the shed on the north part of the parcel into a residence. The shed is all ready to finish as a dwelling, but the county prohibits two dwellings on the same parcel. Lot one will be 1.19 acres and Lot 2 at 1.18 acres. There are two septics and the well is shared. Building inspector Tom Smith has approved the dwelling plans. The south end of the road is 60ft wide. According to county specifications, the division would require a cul de sac at the south end and additional road dedication to bring the road to 4-rod. The current driveway on the south end of Bluebird Lane runs into the dog kennel and septic, and would be impossible to put a bulb on the east side by the proposed lot line because the hill is too steep. Schmit said that he has cut trees so the snowplow can come down the road and turn around. The land division proposal meets the local ordinance standards. The proposal agrees with the town vision statement as found in the Town Comprehensive Plan. The proposal agrees with the town goals, objectives and development strategies as found in the Town Comprehensive Plan. Opiela made the motion to approve the land division and waive the cul de sac and road dedication requirements, 2 nd by Evans – M/A. The Commission also discussed a 0.06-acre strip of land located on Cassler Drive that is attached to Parcel #042-333301912A. Harry Smith explained that the strip was likely missed during the original division of the old 40-acre parcel many years ago. During his 2024 survey for the Inland Lakes Building located south of the Mason property, he discovered an error that resulted in 10 feet being removed from the Mason parcel. The Mason property consists of 1 acre Residential and 9.25 acres Productive Forest Land, totaling 10.925 acres. Smith determined that the 0.06-acre portion would not affect the property’s Productive Forest Land designation. The Town will contact the County to determine the steps required to absorb the 0.06-acre strip into adjacent Parcel #042-333302012B, which is owned by the Town. 2. Rural Mutal Insurance Review – Ben Albrecht reviewed the 2027 insurance needs for the Town of Townsend. The current blanket building limit coverage is $3,179,153.00 and blanket personal property limit is $128,000.00 3. Winter Parking Hours begin November 1, 2026 through April 1, 2027 4. Halloween Trick or Treat hours will be 4pm – 6pm October 31, 2026 5. Rick Opiela has been selected by the board as the interim board supervisor. 6. Townsend is seeking representatives to serve on both the L/T Ambulance Committee and the Lakes Country Library Board Public Comment – Marsh applauded the L/T Ambulance for a fun chili cookoff. DeMoulin said the town would have the holiday trees again this year. Dan Shadian commented that he was omitted from providing the trees in 2025. DeMoulin will discuss the situation with him. DeMoulin reported that the culverts on Mosquito Lake and Pickerel crossing were completed and the shouldering on Valley View, Aspen, Red Maple and Sandy Ridge was finished. Announcements: Red Arrow snowmobile class Saturday October 17 Blood mobile October 19 11-4 In person Absentee voting starts October 20 Public test of the voting equipment October 26 at 10am General Election November 3, 2026 7am – 8pm Evans motioned to adjourn at 7:14pm 2 nd by Opiela– M/A Draft subject to approval by the town board