Minutes

NOTICE TO RESIDENTS TOWN OF CRESCENT MINUTES FOR MONTHLY TOWN BOARD MEETING WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2023 6:00 P.M., CRESCENT TOWN HALL Board Members Present: Robb Jensen, Chair; Kyla Waksmonski, Supervisor; Mike Pazdernik, Supervisor; Tracy Hartman, Clerk; Carla Fletcher, Treasurer. Call to Order: Chairman Jensen called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. at the Crescent Town Hall. The meeting has been properly posted and distributed in accordance with the Wisconsin Open Meeting law and the facility is handicap accessible. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Approval of Agenda Motion by Pazdernik to approve the agenda. Seconded by Waksmonski. All aye. Motion carried. Approval of Minutes Motion by Jensen to approve the minutes from the Monthly Town Board Meeting of November 14, 2023 and November 29, 2023. Seconded by Pazdernik. All aye. Motion carried. Public Comment – None Public Comment - Auto-Aid Agreement with Rhinelander Fire Department – Craig Metz – Boyce Dr – Gave an overview of response time from Rhinelander Fire Department and from Crescent Fire Department with a response time from a “home base” of the Town Pump and gave an overview of the certifications that the City of Rhinelander would have available when they arrive on-scene. Nathan Bates – Wausau Road – Concerned citizen that would like to see the auto-aid agreement continued. Expressed concern with anyone that wants to eliminate access to a 24-hour fire department. Clerk Hartman read written comments submitted by: - Pat Vlahakis – Pleasure Point Rd - Steve Dahlquist – N. Rifle Rd - John Taylor – N. Rifle Rd - Kurt Metz – prior Crescent Supervisor Town Chair Report – Written report received from Chair Jensen. Treasurer’s Report - A written report was received by Treasurer, Carla Fletcher. Library Report - Update on the library board meeting and upcoming programs being offered at the library – Whidden gave an overview of the services being completed by Kim Swisher Communications, LLC. Whidden stated that one of the furnaces went out at the library today and that is being repaired. Whidden gave an overview of circulation, book purchases and programs offered. Count y Board Supervisor’s Report - Review of County Board meeting and Review of County Board meeting and County Committee meetings – Jensen provided a written report to the board. Fire Department Report and Approval of Purchases - Monthly Call update, purchases update, training update, fundraiser update – Mahner reported that there were 9 calls in the month of November. Mahner gave an overview of purchases made during the month of November and programs during the last month. Mahner reviewed the trainings during the last month and upcoming trainings planned. Mahner reported that they have 2 new members. Mahner informed that board that they are looking at the MABAS cards, Target Hazard cards and the ESN Zones. First Responder’s Report and Approval of Purchases - None Town Road Crew Report - Road Projects update, update on vehicle repairs and shop repairs – Gerdes reported that they are trying to stay on top of the ice this year. Premier Heating will be there on the 20th to install the heater. Gerdes reported that they continue to clean brush from the side of the road. Gerdes gave an overview of the maintenance completed on the vehicles. Town Plan Commission Report – Pazdernik reminded the residents that the public hearing for the Comprehensive Land Use plan will be held on January 10th. Uniform Dwelling Inspector’s Report - None Squash Lake District Report – None Crescent Lake District Report – None Discussion/Action Items 2016 Oneida County Automatic Aid Agreement – Crescent Volunteer Fire Department and Rhinelander Fire Department – Jensen provided the board with the summary of the Auto Aid agreement issue and information that he has received since the last meeting. Jensen stated that he believes that the Town Board has the power to direct and keep any auto-aid agreement. Pazdernik questioned when the auto-aid agreement was updated to include Rhinelander Fire on every call within the Town of Crescent. Jensen reported that he met with the Oneida County Emergency Management this morning and they confirmed that Rhinelander Fire Department is only called out for structure fires and Motor Vehicle Accidents with injuries. Waksmonski stated that the Rhinelander Fire Department has reported that they have responded to 9 calls within the Town of Crescent and based upon Chief Mahners reports it appears that there have been many more than 9 calls within the last year. Jensen gave an overview of an email received from Gary Peck, State of Wisconsin Fire Prevention Coordinator. Mahner stated that he believes this has been blown out of proportion and the auto aid agreements are being restructured to benefit the residents in the Town of C rescent. Mahner stated that they will call Rhinelander Fire as needed. Jensen expressed a concern that Chief Mahner did not meet with Chief Tonnocour prior to cancelling the auto aid agreement. Mahner reported that he met with Chief Tonnocour in July and October and it was discussed at that time. Motion by Jensen that the Town of Crescent Board authorizes no changes be made to the 2016 Oneida County Automatic Aid Agreement between the Town of Crescent Volunteer Fire Department and the Rhinelander Fire Department, and the Town of Crescent Volunteer Fire Department Chief or designee shall not “call down” the Rhinelander Fire Department upon notification from the Oneida county 911 Center per the municipal agreement prior to consultation with the on- site incident commander. Seconded by Waksmonski. Waksmonski expressed agreement with Gary Pecks statement that no agreement should be canceled until new agreements have been updated and implemented. Pazdernik stated that he doesn’t see a need for this motion as the auto aid agreement can be left as is. Jensen stated that this motion sends a message to the Fire Chief that the Town Board agrees with the Auto Aid Agreement and with leaving it alone. Discussion regarding which calls Rhinelander Fire Department is dispatched to. Waksmonski expressed agreement with the Automatic Aid Agreement staying active but is concerned that the second part of the motion is micromanaging the fire department. Jensen called the vote for the motion. Pazdernik, nay; Waksmonski, aye; Jensen, aye. Motion carried. Logging Camp Road End Point – Jensen reported that there was a survey completed in 1980 that was recorded and there was a survey completed in 1974 that was not recorded until 1989 which made it invalid. There is an issue with the end point on the survey that was recorded in 1980 that does not match the earlier completed survey. Jensen reported that this is causing an issue with the end point and where the town road is being plowed. Paul Frey, landowner, gave an overview of his concerns with where the road ends and where the plowing is occurring. Jensen will continue to work on the discrepancy. LRIP-D Application – Jensen presented a summary sheet for the LRIP-D application for Davenport Street and gave an overview of the project. LRIP–TRI Application - Jensen presented a summary sheet for the LRIP-TRI-D application for Airport Rd and gave an overview of the project. Jensen reported that 8 municipalities will get approved for the TRI-D grant and currently the Town of Crescent is 8th on the list. 2023 Budget Reconciliation – Motion by Pazdernik to approve the budget transfer/reconciliation as presented. Seconded by Jensen. All aye; motion carried. Lumberjack Grant Request to Extend – Waksmonksi expressed concern with the ability to implement the grant as it was originally designed. Discussion regarding the hours proposed which include 80 hours by the Crescent Road Crew and approximately 100 hours by the Crescent Chair. Waksmonski stated that this project would need to be citizen led and is concerned about being overly ambitious with the expectation of citizen volunteers. Discussion regarding the timeline to complete the project, the donations needed to fund the proposal and the volunteers needed. Waksmonski asked Paul Frey if he would be interested in heading the project. Frey recommended contacting schools and other organizations to see if anyone else would be willing to take over the grant. Jensen stated that he will speak with the Lumberjack regarding returning the funds. Motion by Waksmonski that given the concern for volunteer resources motion is made to return the lumberjack grant funds back to the program and authorize Jensen to communicate the return of the funds and the Town Boards interest to locate a group to fulfill the grant objections. Seconded by Jensen. All aye; motion carried. Appoint 2024-2025 Election Workers – Motion by Pazdernik to approve the list of election workers from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025. Seconded by Waksmonski. All aye; motion carried. Operator’s License Applications - None Driveway Application – None Future Meeting Dates and Agenda Items – January 10 th. Review Correspondence – None Approval of Vouchers - Motion by Jensen to approve vouchers as submitted. Seconded by Waksmonski. All aye. Motion carried. CLOSED SESSION: It is anticipated that a motion will be made, seconded and approved by roll call vote to enter into closed session pursuant to WI State Statute 19.85(1) (c) Considering employment, promotion, compensation, or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has a jurisdiction or exercises responsibility (topic: Potential Internal Investigation). It is anticipated that the Town Board will return to open session by roll call vote to consider the rest of the agenda. Motion by Jensen to go into closed session at 7:32 p.m. Seconded by Waksmonski. Jensen, aye; Waksmonski, aye; Pazdernik, nay. Motion carried. Motion by Jensen to go into open session at 8:21 p.m. Seconded by Waksmonski. Jensen, aye; Waksmonski, aye; Pazdernik, nay. Motion carried. Announcement of action taken in closed session, or take action based on closed session (NOTE: If the announcement of action taken in closed session would compromise the need for the closed session, the action taken will not be announced. Any action taken in closed session may be announced when the need for the closed session has passed) – Jensen reported that there was no action taken while in closed session. Jensen adjourned the meeting at 8:23 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Tracy Hartman Municipal Clerk