MONTHLY TOWN BOARD MINUTES
2017 NOVEMBER 14
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Town of Barksdale Board Meeting

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

Date: Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Absent: Dennis Pocernich arrived at

Other’s Present: David Lucius

Members of the Public Present: Sign-up Sheet Attached.

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

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

Approval of Previous Month’s Minutes: Bretting made a motion to dispense with reading the October 10, 2017, Minutes, seconded by Nyara. Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS

Update on US Fish & Wildlife Activities: Mlynarek indicated that the culvert for the snowmobile grade has been installed along Cherryville. He said changes have been made with DNR permitting for several types of projects. There is now a one-page form that can be filled out and results are returned within a 48 hour time frame. There are also no fees for these permits. He informed those present that he will be retiring in January of 2019. Input from partners of the Refuge are encouraged to contact the regional director regarding the future of the refuge and its staffing.

Comprehensive Plan Update: In New Business

Grant Updates: Nothing new to report.

Snowplowing: Tom Tibbitts was present to inquire as to why he did not receive a snowplowing application for the current winter season. He was informed that a past bills was still outstanding and must be paid before a new contract can be honored. He will pay the outstanding bill and submit an application, with the proper fees included, for the current season. To-date there are 79 contracts in with four pending, including the application for Mr. Tibbitts.

NEW BUSINESS:

Public Input: Bernice Carter and Shirley Eid were present to voice their concerns on the salt/sand coverage to the Nolander Road extension off of Ondossagon Road for the upcoming season. They were reassured that it will be well covered.

Arlene Tosch voiced her concern regarding snowplowing. She feels the drivers are going too fast, creating a hazard for the driver and the mailboxes.

Mike Bark indicated his concern on the current surface of the Nolander Road extension. He was reassured that the road will be paved at the same time the Ondossagon Road is paved. The current condition is a temporary problem.

Paul Kacvinsky indicated his concern regarding the proposed transmission line that Xcel Engergy is proposing along Ondossagon Road. After much discussion, he was urged to contact Xcel Engergy with his concerns and attend all public meetings that he can.

Pocernich arrived at the meeting at 6:40 p.m. He also encouraged individuals to contact Xcel with their concerns. The project has many more meetings to be held before a final decision is made.

Evergreen Amundson also voiced her concerns on the Xcel issue. She encouraged everyone to call Xcel, as a personal call seems to carry more weight that e-mails and letters. She also thanked the Board for the 45 MPH signs along Ondossagon. She requested that it stay the same after the road project is completed. Others present agreed.

Ondossagon Road Project: Nothing new to report.

Ordinance 2017-01: A Resolution to Amend the Town of Barksdale Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map was presented. The amendment is to change the town garage parcel from agricultural to municipal use. Bretting made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2017-01, which supports Resolution 09-2017 for an amendment to the Town of Barksdale Future Land Use Map, seconded by Pocernich. Motion carried.

Rezoning Permit Request: A permit request was received from the Town of Barksdale, to approve rezoning the two municipal parcels known as the Town Hall and Town Garage from Agricultural to Municipal use. Bretting made a motion to approve the permit request from the Town of Barkdale to rezone the Town Hall and Town Garage parcels from Agricultural zoning to Municipal zoning, seconded by Pocernich. Motion carried.

Refinance of Construction Loan: Bretting made a motion to approve refinancing the existing Ondossagon Road Project to interest only payments, beginning January 1, 2018, until the time of completion of the road project, at which time the loan will be renewed into a repayment loan, with regular payments not to commence until 2019, seconded by Pocernich. Motion carried. Interest will be also be due on December 1, 2017 or at the time of the construction loan renewal.

Road Foreman Report: A portion of Cherryville Road has been paved and shouldered. New tires have been put on the one-ton pickup. Work has been done on the loader and the grader in preparation for winter. The salt/sand has been delivered.

Clerk’s Report: Divine stated that she, Jayson Nohl and Larry Chase attended an election officer training on October 25th. Several elections are anticipated for 2018.

Chairman’s Report: Nothing new to report

Treasurer’s Report: A copy of the Treasurer’s Report is attached.

Next Meeting: The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 12, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.

Monthly Bills: Pocernich made a motion to accept and approve the monthly bills as presented, seconded by Bretting. Motion carried.

Adjournment: There being no further business to conduct, the meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Lynn M. Divine, Clerk