MONTHLY TOWN BOARD MINUTES
2017 AUGUST 08
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Town of Barksdale Board Meeting Minutes

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

Date: Tuesday, August 8, 2017

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

Absent: None

Other’s Present: David Lucius; Jim Solberg, MSA; Susan Jacobson, Comprehensive Plan Commission

Members of the Public Present: See attached Sign-In Sheet

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

Verification of Posting and Publishing: Divine indicated that it was posted. Pocernich verified that it was published.

Approval of Previous Month’s Minutes: Bretting made a motion to dispense with reading the July 11, 2017, Minutes, seconded by Nyara. Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS

Update on US Fish & Wildlife Activities: Mlynarek indicated that the Youth Crew finished this year’s work last Friday. A lot of work was accomplished, including improving the habitat at the North Fork of Whittlesey Creek. Geoff, the crew leader, will continue working through September. The visit to our area from Charlie Blair has been pushed back to mid-September.

Comprehensive Plan Update: Jacobson indicated that things have been quiet. The commission plans to meet again in October.

Grant Updates: Nothing new to report.

NEW BUSINESS:

Public Input: Several members of the public voiced their concerns regarding the recent purchase of the Ondossagon School site. Comments were heard, with no discussion being held.

Ondossagon Road Project: Jim Solberg was present to update the Board on the progress of the project. Several concerns were addressed and it was felt a sit-down meeting should take place. Solberg presented a proposed Change Order. Nyara made a motion to approve a Change Order, adding one day to the ditching portion of the contract, increasing the cost by $1,468.46, seconded by Bretting. Motion carried.

Server Application Request: An Operator’s (Server) Permit Application was received by Branson Newago. Bretting made a motion to approve the Operator’s Permit for Branson Newago, seconded by Nyara. Motion carried.

Rezoning of Municipal Parcels: Motion was made by Pocernich to have Divine move forward with a rezoning request for the two municipal parcels where the Town Hall and Shop/Garage are located, seconded by Bretting. Motion carried. Divine will complete and submit the application as agent for the Town.

Boat Ramp at Bono Creek: Bretting will pick up the dock for the boat ramp at Bono Creek. It should be ready by the end of the week.

Annual Picnic: The Town Picnic will be held on Saturday, September 9th from Noon to 4:00 p.m. Divine will contact the board and commission regarding a sign-up sheet.

Snowplowing: Sanders will send out the contracts for 2017 shortly. The deadline for return will be October 15th. There will be no changes to the contract. The fee and contract must be received by the deadline or there will be no service. Anyone submitting or requesting late applications will have to appear at a town meeting to request snowplowing.

Purchase of Ondossagon School Building: William Vienneau and Brian Monahan were present to introduce themselves as the officers of Ashland Cares, Inc., the new owners of the Ondossagon School Building. Mr. Vienneau gave a brief history and future plans for the premises. One plan is to provide temporary housing for the homeless.

As this is not an action item on the agenda, only conversation was allowed. There were neighbors and members of the public present, many commending Ashland Cares, Inc. for taking on such an endeavor, but also voicing their concerns on the location and condition of the site. During the conversation, electricity was lost and Chairman Pocernich ended the conversation and New Business portion of the meeting. Members of the public left the premises and the remainder of the meeting was spent approving the expenditures via the use of flashlights. Bretting made a motion to approve the expenditures as presented, seconded by Nyara. Motion carried.

Adjournment: There being no further business to conduct, the meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Lynn M. Divine, Clerk