MONTHLY TOWN BOARD MINUTES
2020 FEBRUARY 11
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10/28 Annual Budget Meeting:
MONTHLY TOWN BOARD MINUTES
2020 FEBRUARY 11
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Barksdale Town Hall
29025 East Ondossagon Rd.
Ashland, WI 54806
Date: Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at 7:00 pm
Present: Dennis Pocernich, John Nyara; Chris Bretting, Lynn Divine; Susan Sanders
Absent: None
Other’s Present: David Lucius, Road Foreman; Jayson Nohl, Comprehensive Plan Commission and Bridget Olson, US Fish & Wildlife Service
Members of the Public Present: Mike Mlynarek
Call To Order: The meeting was called to order by Chairman Pocernich at 7:00 p.m.
Verification of Posting and Publishing: Divine confirmed it was posted and sent for publication.
Approval of Previous Month’s Minutes: Bretting made a motion to dispense with reading the January 14, 2020 Minutes, seconded by Nyara. Motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
Comprehensive Plan Update: Jayson Nohl stated that the commission met on February 10th to review a Class A Special Use Permit from Jon Armstrong and Marie Pearce. The commission recommends approval of the permit. The next quarterly meeting will be held on Monday, March 9, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. The commission continues to review the current Comprehensive Plan for updates.
Grant Updates: Nothing new to report.
NEW BUSINESS:
Public Input: Bridget Olson of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service was present to give an update on the agency’s status. She did assure the Board that Mike Mlynarek’s former position will be filled, the funding is in place but it will take some time to fill as the Human Resources department is back-logged with all of the positions needing to be filled within the agency on a national level. There is currently a 20% vacancy in the agency.
There continues to be a beaver problem within the Whittlesey Creek refuge and the agency is currently working on a contract with the USDA to handle the situation.
The refuge was open to recreational fishing last August and the agency is using State DNR regulations for that season.
The Board is in favor of working with the agency to have a Kiosk set up on the corner of Cherryville and Ondossagon Road for the public.
The agency is looking into easement changes for the Xcel utility line that goes through their lands for their electrical line. The current easement is very broad and affects their entire parcel of land. They would like to see that narrowed.
The Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center is currently being staffed by volunteers until a replacement can be found for the director that retired.
The Board thanked Bridget for the update and were appreciative of the good relationship between the Town and the agency during Mike Mlynarek’s 15 years with the U S Fish & Wildlife. Many great projects were completed. Bridget thanked the Board in return.
Permit Request: A Class A Special Use Permit request was reviewed for Jon Armstrong and Marie Pearce. The couple has purchased a home that they plan to retire at in five years. In the meantime, they would like to use the home as a tourist rental home. Bretting made a motion to approve the Class A Special Use Permit for Jon Armstrong and Marie Pearce, seconded by Nyara. Motion carried.
Grader Purchase: Bretting shared information that he researched regarding both graders the Board is considering purchasing. After much discussion, including the financing of a grader purchase, and a failed motion by Nyara to purchase the Caterpillar grader, this item was tabled until the March meeting.
Ondossagon School Property: Nothing new to report.
Road Foreman’s Report: Lucius indicated that things are going well. A lot of time has been spent on clearing driveways and keeping the roads cleared and sanded. He reminded Divine that ads for the 2020 road weight limits needs to be submitted. The limits go into effect on March 1st.
Clerk’s Report: Divine reminded everyone of the Spring Primary Election to be held on February 18th.
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 March 10th, at 7:00 p.m.
Monthly Bills: Nyara 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 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lynn M. Divine, Clerk