MONTHLY TOWN BOARD MINUTES
2025 September 09
_________ 

September Town Board Minutes

7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 9th, 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

Other’s Present:
Dave Lucius, Theresa Margetta, Denise Bosak, Fred Broecher, Thomas Parr, Sue Messer, Marty Messer, John McCue, Todd Rotke (Big Lake Organic Rep, till 7:13pm)

Call To Order:  
Meeting called to order at 7:00 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:
J. Nohl made a motion to dispense with reading the July 8th, 2025 Meeting Minutes, seconded by C. Bretting. Motion carried. Copies of the minutes were provided at the meeting for attendees. 

OLD BUSINESS

1. Comprehensive Plan update:
   Nothing to report at this time. Next quarterly meeting scheduled for December 8th @ 6pm.  

2. Cozy Corner Road (full road) update:
   Everything has been completed so far, striping also completed. Some spots and humps will needed to be reviewed and worked on.  

3.  Ondossagon Road update and possible action:
   Still in arbitration. J. Nyara stated no other updates at this time.  

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Public input: 
   Thomas Parr submitted to Board WI statutes concerning salt storage and requirements.  J. Nyara asked Dave if Dale Johnston has been able to look into the issue; not yet, hopefully by end of the month. Mr. Parr will also look into possible grant monies that can be applied for and forward found info to the Clerk.

2. Composting Bin to be placed on Town Property:
   Big Lake Organic Rep Todd Rotke gave the Board and attending township members a run-down of how their project works, pros of composting and cost associated with renting a bin for dumping. ($10 per month). Todd will get Board members more information for distribution to residents in near future. C. Bretting made a motion to approve the installation of composting bin, J. Nohl seconded. Motion passed. Big Lakes will work with Dave on placement of the collection bin.

3. Application for Transient Merchant Permit:
   The Board reviewed the application and documents submitted on August 12th by Lena Stecker, Apostle Islands Fishing Tours LLC. Lena Stecker was not in attendance. Several vital documents and payment were missing; C. Bretting made a motion to deny application due to no payment and missing documents, J. Nohl seconded denial. Motion carried to deny application. Clerk will send letter informing Ms. Stecker she can resubmit application with payment and correct documents for review.

4. New Signage created for Bono Creek parking lot and boat ramp area update: 
   Metal signs (Angle Parking, No overnight parking, etc.)  have been created. Dave and Tom will pound the t-posts and affix the signs within the next week.

5. “Special Meeting” Policy, discussion and possible Action:
   It costs the town members a fee every time a “Special Meeting” is needed for anything out-of-ordinary that comes up during the month. C. Bretting was not able to get answers to this question yet; this discussion will be added to next month’s agenda.

6. Fee Schedule for Violations, discussion and possible Action:
   Town’s Attorney recommends a Fee Schedule for fines of violations that are continuing at Bono Creek. Comprehensive Planning Commission had discussions on September 8th and forwarded it to the Board -(Ordinance 2025-03) in the works for a posted Town of Barksdale Fee Schedule. **Talk more with the lawyer- will be added to next month’s Agenda. 

7. Town Picnic:
   Town Picnic was on September 6th, 94 persons showed, a great time was had by all.

8. Snowplowing 2025/2026 Season discussion and possible action:
   S. Sanders handed the board last year’s fees - 85 snowplow applications were attended to last year. Mailings will go out on Monday the 15th, to give 1 month to get back to Sue with their application and payment for the year. October 15th is the deadline, with a $50 late-fee payment due after the 15th. C. Bretting made a motion to keep the costs the same, J. Nohl seconded. Motion carried. Any questions, contact Sue. 

9.  Updates on Engoe Road Striping project:
   Dave stated he has not heard anything yet as to when it will be completed, but it’s ready to go with pinpointed marks. Town of Washburn will contact Dave when striping is to commence. 

10. Road Foreman’s Report:
    “Patching, grading and mowing” per Dave. Maintenance completed on the tractor- hope that’s the last oil leak. FR 236 mowing asked about by C. Bretting. J. Nohl had questions about gravel hauling by Mika. Last $4500.00 grant money spent on rock for FR 237. Trusty Trucking bill received will be submitted for payment from Forestry Service. Dave will get a hold of TransCanada for the promised gravel. ****Dump day is September 27th 8am-2pm. 

11. Clerk’s Report:
    Bayfield Health Immunization Schedule sent to Clerk for members to review. New resident on Cherryville Rd asked the Board about hunting on dump property. The Board denied this request as there are many houses close in proximity. Letter sent back to resident denying request. Clerk and Treasurer will be attending WTA Fall Workshop in Cable on September 17th; this workshop will dive into budgeting and levies.

12. Chairman’s Report:
    J. Nyara has nothing new to report at this time.  

13. Treasurer’s Report:
    S. Sanders gave an overview of the town’s finances. Currently, $206,347.07 in checking & savings combined, both banks. Accrued interest of 3.75% is given by NSB quarterly, not monthly. E-statements will be sent on the 1st every month. She will send to Clerk on the 1st. Upcoming revenue, Transportation Aid of $50,920.75 coming in. Loan at Northern State due October 1st, of $80,000.00. Sue contacted Tammy Demars about the fire truck – J. Nyara told the members that he and C. Bretting attended a meeting last week at the fire department. Most of Board’s questions were not answered; another meeting will be attended by C. Bretting on September 30th to hopefully answer our questions about the cost the town is paying and if Washburn is actually attending to Barksdale or is it Ashland. WTA meeting at Moquah Townhall on September 22nd at 7pm, including the CITRIC meeting at 6:30.  

14. Next Meeting(s): 
    The next Monthly Town Meeting will be held on Tues, October 14th @ 7:00pm.  

15. Monthly Bills:
    J. Nohl made a motion to accept and approve the monthly bills presented, seconded by C. Bretting. Motion carried. 

16. Closed Sesstion:
    J. Nohl made a motion to close out Closed Session @ 9:15 pm, seconded by C. Bretting. Motion carried.

17. Adjournment:
    With there being no further business meeting to conduct, C. Bretting made a motion and seconded by J. Nohl to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 pm.

Respectfully submitted, by Stephanie Yon, Barksdale Township Clerk.