MONTHLY TOWN BOARD MINUTES
2025 MAY 12
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May Town Board Minutes

Tuesday, May 12, 2025
Barksdale Town Hall
29025 East Ondossagon Rd., Ashland, WI  54806

Present: 
John Nyara, Chairman • Chris Bretting, Supervisor • Jayson Nohl, Supervisor • Susan Sanders, Treasurer • Stephanie Yon, Clerk

Absent:  None

Other’s Present:
Dave Lucius, Fred Broeker, Dale Johnston, Susan Jacobson, Angela Truchon, Sarah Gjertson

Call To Order:  
Meeting called to order at 7:01 pm  by John Nyara, Chairman. Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Verification of Posting and Publishing: 
J. Nyara confirmed the Agenda was posted and published.

Approval of Previous Month’s Minutes:
C. Bretting made a motion to dispense with reading the April 8th, 2025 Meeting Minutes, seconded by J. Nohl. Motion carried. Copies of the minutes were provided at the meeting for attendees. 

OLD BUSINESS

1.  Comprehensive Plan update:
   J. Nohl reported the Comprehensive Planning Commission group met May 1st and made the recommendation to approve HeadSpace HQ Conditional Use Permit, it was approved as it fit the Plan. Next quarterly meeting will be on June 9th @ 6pm at the Townhall.  

2.  Cozy Corner Road update:
   J. Nyara reported that the Cozy Corner Road bid was tabled last meeting, and was hoping this could be reviewed this meeting. Town of Washburn’s bid was not opened yet. Bid was at $102,596.21. Bring budget printout for next meeting. Put on next month’s Agenda. Also Engoe Rd – look into this.   

3.  Ondossagon Road update and possible action:
   J. Nyara stated nothing new at this time; still in arbitration. No new updates as of yet. 

4.  Ondossagon School Update:
   Resolution was turned over to the County by J. Nyara for the Grant writing/help with the leg work.  

Bono Creek Update:
J. Nyara stated Northwoods Paving got it milled and will start paving tomorrow. (05/13) Milled all the way to the railing.

5.  Lutkie Road Culvert/Bid:
   Road work will start early June, culvert not yet purchased. Plastic culvert suggested. (4) 30 foot sections discussed. Dave will order it.

6.  Road Inspection: 
   Road inspection completed and compiled – 24 items listed.  Lutkie Rd from Lindahl to the west was the worst road for cracks. Dave will get it priced both ways, filling cracks or blacktopping. Also, Range Rd will need crack sealing. Forestry should be asked to help.

NEW BUSINESS:

1.  Public input: 
   Bono Creek Boat landing, asked by D. Johnston, asked about the culvert and ordinances. Talked about separate walkway for kayaks. Sidewalks discussed. 

2.  Board of Review:  
   Assessor Steve Nordquist will be here May 14th for 2-hour Board of Review hearing from 4pm-6pm. 

3.  Special Meeting concerning HeadSpace HQ:
   Comprehensive Planning Commission recommended board approval of Conditional Use Permit – C. Bretting made a motion to approve, seconded by J. Nohl. Motion carried.  No parking on the road was discussed. Sarah G. mentioned the rezone was approved by Bayfield County. 

4.  Grater Maintenance Agreement and possible Action:
   Caterpillar gave recommended maintenance agreement to Dave, for 4 year agreement - $16,467.55 quoted. Current warranty expires on September 2025. Grater usage averages 2000 hours per year. C. Bretting made a motion to approve, seconded by J. Nohl. Motion carried.  This will as soon as it’s re-written and accepted/signed by J. Nyara. 

5.  Guardrail/Signage at Bono Creek:
   At this time, there is nothing we can do - ordinances/signage as to no-camping, no-overnight parking, no unattended vehicles discussed.  Dock will not be put out yet /not deep enough right now. 

6.  Cherryville Dump Road section:
   Section was priced at $7,200 to fix the pavement. C. Bretting made a motion to approve, seconded by J. Nohl. Motion approved.  

7.  FCC Licensing:
   Clerk will call to find out more information. 10 yrs for renewal. 

8.  Website Update per Sue:
   Sue and Marsha have had discussions to start redoing ours- set-up similar to Town of Washburn’s, click-on links (county and state), at tax time (taxes could be seen online prior to mailing), documents, menu, calendar (i.e. meeting dates, rent townhall) and we can update it ourselves. 

9.  Changing Financial Institutions:
   Northern State Bank will give us 3.5% for both accounts, and will have more discussions with CD rates. Sue will get the paperwork going – 2 to 3 month process. Government accounts will need to be changed. C. Bretting made a motion to approve, seconded by J. Nohl. Motion carried. 

10. Townhall Rental , table & chairs:
    Sue & Stephanie will get the calendar organized. 

11. Road Foreman Report:
    Dave stated Arnie Maki came out, rebar went in, couple intersections were swept and graveled.
    Be aware of fire danger.
    Calcium chloride discussed, for keeping the dust down. Was put in last year’s budget but not used. Dave was told to price it out.
    Tractor is ready to start mowing. TransCanada needs to be asked again about the bringing rock in. 

12. Clerk’s Report:
    Email sent back to Mr. French on May 2nd, letting him know the records request was finished, including breakdown of how much and where to send a check. No email or word back yet.
    Lynn Divine sent Resolution thanking the volunteers at Election.
    Lynn also sent New Clerk trainings offered by WTA.
    Special assessment letter sent to Board for 7452 Lakeshore Drive – title company sent letter, buyer selling quickly. Closing on 05/13. No issues or concerns at this time. 

13. Chairman’s Report:
    Scotty Sandstrom, will be opening bids for Engoe Rd. tomorrow night, he also discussed that they will also be stripping, and we may want to get a bit of stripping done while they are out. Cozy Corner Rd. - need fog line and center line. 

14. Treasurer’s Report:
    S. Sanders gave an overview of the town’s finances. Currently,  $355,455.24 in checking & savings combined. July -2nd half tax money and transportation aid will be coming in. Both loans were combined after the LRIP grant came in. Balance due is $901, 935.14. First payment due October 1st – semi annual payments of $80,000.00 each. Hopefully we will be able to pay it off in 7 years.
    S. Sanders called on Firetruck payments- $615,000.00 was our portion, interest (5%) is at $311,125.42. Final payment in 2044. No grants were sought after. Federal and State grants are still available. Our contract ends this year.
    Clerk & Treasurer will be going to Lakewoods for WTA on May 21st, and quarterly Moquah WTA meeting on June 2nd at 7pm for all Board members. 

Next Meeting(s): 
The next Monthly Town Meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 10th, 2025, @ 7:00 pm. June 9th, Comp Plan Meeting @ 7pm

Monthly Bills:
C. Bretting made a motion to accept and approve the monthly bills presented, seconded by J. Nohl. Motion carried.
Motion made by J. Nohl for a .50 cent raise for Dave Lucius. C. Bretting seconded. Motion accepted.
Motion made by J. Nohl for the part-time employees – Dale Johnston, Tom Sanders, James Lucius and John Buvala – from $18.50 to $20.00.  C. Bretting seconded. Motion accepted. 

Adjournment:
There being no further business meeting to conduct, J. Nohl made a motion and seconded by C. Bretting to adjourn the meeting at 9:39 pm.

Respectfully submitted, by Stephanie Yon, Barksdale Township Clerk.