Village Board Meeting — Minutes

Village of Benton April 22, 2026 Board Meeting Minutes Members present: Ken Farrey, John Perkins, Jill Knight, Bill Mowry, Joseph Slater, Steve Brink Absent: Scott Cruse Village employees present: Sonya Silvers, Eric Mowry, Jared Roling Others Present: Michelle Savatski, Adele Rowe, Gina Jones, Lisa Schemehorn The regular board meeting of the Benton Village Board was called to order by village president Ken Farrey at 6:30 p.m. in the conference room of the Benton Business Incubator Building at 244 Ridge Avenue on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. In compliance with the open meeting law, proper notice of the meeting had been posted in four public places: the Zephyr Depot, Benton State Bank, Benton Post Office, and the Benton Business Incubator Building. The minutes from the village board meeting on March 18, 2026, were presented. Motion (Knight, Slater) to approve the minutes from the regular village board meeting held on March 18, 2026, as presented. Voice-all ayes. Carried Adele Rowe, Gina Jones, and Lisa Schemehorn were present to address concerns regarding water quality at 47 S. Van Buren Street. Adele reported experiencing sores after brushing her teeth and skin rashes after showering. Adele and Lisa visited the Village Office on Monday, April 20, to discuss billing concerns related to a second water meter purchased for water-only use, as well as an additional $7.00 charge on the bill. Sonya Silvers provided a copy of the Public Service Commission (PSC) tariff for the Village of Benton, along with the PSC contact phone number. Adele also inquired about water testing procedures and was referred to Jared Roling for further information. Jared contacted Adele and, after learning of the reported health concerns, reached out to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Health Department to request their involvement. A nurse from the Health Department subsequently met with Adele. Water testing was conducted at the residence, and all results were within acceptable standards. Adele was provided with copies of the test results. Nathan Wells of the DNR expressed concerns regarding potential cross connections and recommended further inspection. At this time, Adele has not granted Jared access to the home to perform a cross-connection inspection. Access is also required to install new water meters in accordance with updated PSC tariff requirements, and one of the existing meters has reached the end of its useful life. Jared provided the applicable ordinance regarding access to properties for utility purposes, which states that failure to grant access may result in water service disconnection. Ken Farrey stated he would like to schedule a time in the coming weeks for access to the residence. Michelle Savatski updated the board on the progress of the community center project. The masonry and siding have been completed. Drywall has been hung, and taping started. A local company to complete the pavers has been secured that can meet the June timeline for around 200 engraved pavers. Michelle and Sonya will work on a last call to purchase the pavers with a May 15th deadline. Eagle Point Solar did a presentation regarding solar for the community center. The estimated cost before any rebates or grants is around $70,000. There are several grants and rebates that would be obtainable for the village for the solar, reducing the cost that could be covered by additional donations that have been received. The estimated energy savings cost is believed to reduce billing to around $2,000 a year for electric. Bill Mowry questioned whether the solar would be roof-mounted and if that would conflict with any warranty for the roofing. Michelle will reach out to FEH for answers. Village of Benton April 22, 2026 Board Meeting Minutes Eric Mowry stated they have been cleaning up from winter and got the park’s water on. Street lights on White Street and Creek Drive will be swapped out. Eric questioned the status of Treganza Street and if plans were received. Plans have been received, and a street meeting should be set up to approve the plans. Sonya mentioned that a resident was asking about an additional week for burning. Discussion was held, and the board will allow an additional week. Motion (Perkins, Slater) to approve an additional burn week for residents. Voice-all ayes. Carried. Committee Reports:  The Nuisance Committee met, and Brian followed up with some nuisance properties. Joe has been trying to follow up with the church regarding the parking lot to see when that will be taking out the pavement and planting grass. Todd Bastian would like to request that the football field be named the Temple Field. This would be named after the original owners of the land who allowed the school to use their land for practices and then later sold the property to the school, who then later deeded the property to the village. Motion (Knight, Brink) to approve naming the football field Temple Field. Voice-all ayes. Carried. Bill Mowry questioned if the police department patrols every street in town regularly. The board believes he does this often. The Swift Park contract between the Village of Benton and the Benton School District was presented. Motion (Perkins, Slater) to accept the Swift Park contract between the Village of Benton and the Benton School District for July 1, 2026, to June 30th, 2028. Voice-all ayes. Carried. The 2026-2027 committee assignments were presented. Motion (Slater, Mowry) to pay the bills. Voice-all ayes. Carried. The 2026 summer helpers will be Isabell Langkamp, Nolan Keleher, Bill Bastian, and Renee Wartner. The village will be getting a $785,000 construction bridge loan through Conservation First Bank. This will help cover the community center project cost until the end of the project, when the USDA will release their funds. The proposed closing will be Monday, April 27th, with an interest rate of 4.78%. The village will be able to do draws for the money and make monthly interest payments to help keep the cost down. The loan will be no longer than 12 months. Motion (Knight, Perkins) to approve the resolution to receive a $785,000 construction bridge loan to cover community center expenses until completion of the project when the USDA will release their funds with an interest rate of 4.78%. Voice-all ayes. Carried. Jill Knight announced that reimbursement from the WEDC grant was submitted and received. There is approximately $98,000 left to draw. Payment of Bills Motion (Slater, Mowry) to pay the bills. Voice-all ayes. Carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:32 P.M. Motion (Perkins, Slater) to adjourn. Voice-all ayes. Carried.