Town of Barksdale Monthly Meeting

Barksdale Town Hall
29025 East Ondossagon Rd.,
Ashland, WI 54806

Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2015 at 7:00 PM

Present: Dennis Pocernich, John Nyara; Chris Bretting; Lynn Divine; Susan Sanders

Absent: None

Other’s Present: Mike Mlynarek, U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service; Duane Garz, Road Crew

Members of the Public Present: Bob Divine, David Maki; Susan Jacobson and Ben Kozak

Call To Order: The meeting was called to order by Chairman Pocernich at 7:00 p.m.

Verification of Posting and Publishing: Divine verified that the meeting notice was posted. Pocernich verified that the notice was published.

Approval of Previous Month’s Minutes: Bretting made a motion to dispense with reading the March 10, 2015, Minutes, seconded by Nyara. Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS

Update on US Fish & Wildlife Activities: Mike Mlynarek indicated that the public comment period for the comprehensive plan will close in two weeks. They have received a few inquiries.

Hiring staff for the summer has proven to be difficult this year. Two of the three positions have been filled. Applications for the youth crew must be in by April 15^th. A decision should be made next week.

Bill Kurtz did indicate that he has relinquished any contractual interest in the Wickstrom Bridge project. The new engineering firm has not received anything in writing yet. They will be a bit more expensive, but want to acquire work in the area and are willing to negotiate costs.

Comprehensive Plan Update: Jacobson indicated that the next meeting will be held on June 8, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. Pocernich suggested that the commission discuss CAFO’s for the future.

Ondossagon Road Update: Nyara indicated that Joan is working on the Bremer Grant application and should have it ready by the next meeting. Russ Fish is now working for Coleman Engineering. Nyara will call him to discuss taking over the engineering for this project.

NEW BUSINESS

Public Input: None.

Wickstrom Road Bridge Project: Bretting made a motion to have Ben Dufford work with a new engineering firm to take over the Wickstrom Bridge Project, with Mike Mlynarek’s assistance, once the termination with Chequamegon Bay Engineering is official. When the new contract is ready, Divine will sign it on behalf of the Town of Barksdale Board. The motion was seconded by Nyara. Motion carried.

Purchase of New Pickup: Bretting and Nyara went over some quotes they received. This item will be tabled until the next meeting.

2015 WISLR Contract: Divine reminded everyone that our semi-annual road rating report is due in 2015. The board instructed her to obtain the necessary documents to have the Northwest Regional Planning Commission conduct the rating.

Terwilliger Road: Pocernich received a quote on the cost to pulverize Terwilliger Road and restore it to a graveled road. Bretting and Nyara asked if the Town of Eileen would be interested in having their portion pulverized also. Pocerenich will contact the Town Chairman of Eileen and ask if they are interested in partnering the project. He will then obtain a new quote from Northwoods paving.

Gravel Bids: The Board decided to advertise for the same amount of gravel as last year. Divine will place an ad in the Daily Press, with additional stipulations on a determined deadline and hauling requirements.

Road Crew Report: Garz indicated that the drain pipe in the shop is partially collapsed. He will contact A to Z Plumbing to look into the situation. Garz requested 2 loads of coal mix, which was approved. There are new brushes on the mower. The annual road inspection will be done on Monday, April 20^th at 4:00 p.m.

Clerk’s Report: Nothing New to report

Chairman’s Report: Pocernich received correspondence from the U. S. Forest Service regarding varioius parks in Bayfield County that will be closing or reducing service. They include Bladder Lake, Drummond Ski Area, Horseshoe Lake, Long Lake, Lake Owen and Val Halla. He urged everyone to notify the Bayfield County Tourism Department of any people who may wish to volunteer at these parks.

He also indicated that Governor Walker’s budget item that would have eliminated the position of the visitor center’s full-time employee did not get approved.

Treasurer’s Report: Sanders provided the monthly report. A copy is included in these Minutes. She will contact Bremer Bank to set up the current year’s line of credit.

Next Meeting: The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 9, 2015, at 7:00 p.m.

Expenditures: The expenditures were reviewed and checks approved and signed. Nyara made a motion to accept the expenditures as presented, seconded by Pocernich. Motion carried.

Adjournment: There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Lynn M. Divine
Town of Barksdale Clerk