Bd meting 5-14-2025

TOWN OF STEPHENSON                                       MARINETTE COUNTY                                           TOWN HALL

REGULAR BOARD MEETING               

May 14, 2025

          

Chairman Kudick called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm.   He then led everyone in the pledge of allegiance. Roll call showed Supervisors Belanger, McCabe, Stradal, and Van De Walle, Treasurer Uhazie, Attorney Coggins, and Clerk Olson, in attendance along with 17 others.

Supervisor Stradal moved to adopt the agenda. Second by Supervisor Van De Walle. Carried.

Minutes of the April 9, 2025 Board meeting and April 15, 2025 Special Board meeting were approved with a motion by Supervisor McCabe, second by Supervisor Belanger, and carried.

Treasurer Uhazie’s financial report showed the following balances as of April 30, 2025

           Stephenson National Bank General Fund                                   $   119,493.39

           LGIF #1- Operating Account                                                     $   732,854.42

           LGIF #2 – 2% Account                                                               $     75,597.26

           LGIF #3- Depreciation Account                                                 $   858,286.68

           LGIF #4 – Tax Account                                                              $   108,394.37

           LGIF #5 – ARPA Account                                                          $                 .00

           Nicolet Bank Tax Money Market                                               $       1,211.15

A motion was made by Supervisor Belanger to accept the Treasurer’s report, seconded by Supervisor Stradal and carried.

Vouchers #52342 through #52398, payroll charges, and EFT payments were approved as presented with a motion by Supervisor

Stradal, second by Supervisor McCabe, and carried.

Under Correspondence, the Clerk had received 2 emails – one requesting a sign ordinance and the other requesting airport runway expansion. Both items were sent to the Board members and are on the agenda for tonight.

Department reports were given for Fire by Chief Jim Stradal, Canine by Mike Stueck, Public Works by Craig Baeten, Recycling by Supervisor Belanger, and the Building Inspector report by Jane Meissner. The Code Enforcer report and Water Patrol report by Chairman Kudick.

CSM 2025-9 for Kenneth and Nancy Wilkowski, for 1 lot, located in the NW¼ of the NW ¼ of Sec 34, T32N-R19E, in the Town of Stephenson, Marinette County, Wisconsin, with ingress and egress to Netzel Lane, was presented by KW Surveying. Motion to approve by Supervisor Stradal, second by Supervisor Belanger, and carried.

Variances were approved as follows:

           Rasmussen variance with a motion by Supervisor Stradal, second by Supervisor Van De Walle, and carried.

           Samsa variance with a motion by Supervisor Belanger, second by Supervisor Stradal, and carried.

           Holzer variance with a motion by Supervisor Stradal, second by Supervisor Van De Walle, and carried.

           Swanningson variance with a motion by Supervisor McCabe, second by Supervisor Belanger, and carried.

Supervisor McCabe stated that the variance applications should contain more specific information defining the hardship and more support for the hardship. He does not believe that is clear to the applicants. He would like to submit a new form for approval in the future. He made a motion to table action on the form until another meeting. Supervisor Belanger seconded the motion. Carried.

Chairman Kudick stated that at the present time, it is showing at the DOJ that the town has a Police Department and a Water Patrol. We would like to dissolve one department for clarification at the DOJ. After some discussion, Supervisor Stradal made a motion to dissolve the Police Department for the Town of Stephenson. A second was given by Supervisor Van De Walle. The vote showed all in favor. Motion carried.

Supervisor Belanger asked for permission to purchase a container for garbage at the Twin Bridge site. The quote he got for a new one from JWR is $7,713.00, delivered to Twin Bridge. He would like to maybe look for a used one to keep the expense down. Supervisor McCabe asked how long it takes to get a new one. Supervisor Belanger said 3 weeks. Chairman Kudick thought we should go with the new one if we need it so he made a motion to order the new one. Second was offered by Supervisor Stradal. Motion carried.

At this time, recycling only has 2 employees. Supervisor Belanger would like to have enough employees to have 2 people at each center. He has been filling in a lot and can’t continue to do it. Chairman Kudick made a motion to advertise for 2 weeks. Second by Supervisor McCabe and carried.

Without zoning, the Town can’t have a sign ordinance. They can request signs to be removed from the town right-of-way, but most of them are on County Roads. The attorney stated that we need to be meticulous about removing signs from the right-of-way. Chairman Kudick asked if it would be hard to enforce without doing a survey for the right-of-way? Supervisor McCabe would like to see it looked into a bit more and then brought back to the Board if anything can be done.

Chairman Kudick stated that a request to expand the airport runway with the person requesting to pay any expense is not possible. The town does not have enough land to expand. We would also need to get approval from the State. Supervisor Belanger made a motion to inform the person who sent the request that we are not able to do the expansion because of property restrictions. Supervisor Van De Walle offered a second. Motion carried.

Recycling Agreement with the Town of Lake and Village of Crivitz was approved with a motion by Supervisor Van De Walle, second by Supervisor Stradal, and carried.

The date of May 28, 2025 was set for the road tour with the Town Board. The Board will leave the town hall located at W11280 County Road X at 9:00 am. All interested parties are welcome to come. No action will be taken but it will be posted as a meeting.

Fire chief / Supervisor, Jim Stradal asked permission to purchase a 2011, 6.7 liter brush truck for the fire department. The cost is $90,000. The Auxiliary has agreed to donate $25,000.00 towards the purchase and the balance would come from the truck fund. Supervisor McCabe asked if it will be a replacement for the truck they have now? Supervisor Stradal stated they are looking to sell the current one. Supervisor Stradal made a motion to purchase the truck. Supervisor McCabe gave a second. Motion carried.

An event permit for Packerland Bass Club for July 12, 20256 at Boat Landing 3 Park was approved with a move by Supervisor Belanger, second by Supervisor Van De Walle, and carried.

A motion to grant a temporary Class B license for Packerland Bass Club / Josh Roberts, for July 12, 2025, was made by Supervisor Stradal, seconded by Supervisor Belanger and carried.

Supervisor McCabe made a motion to approve the operator licenses for Trenie Frank, Emmilee Johnsen, Sara Lewis, Brenda Maus, and Lori Ranallo with payment to be made prior to issuing the license to any that have not paid.   Second by Supervisor Stradal. Motion carried.

Under Public Comments: Several persons from Fabian Lane voiced their request to get Fabian Lane upgraded. Dave Bentzler asked about a road on 3^rd Street that is being blocked off by a property owner.

Motion to adjourn by Supervisor Stradal, second by Supervisor Belanger, and carried at 7:48 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Elaine Olson, Clerk