Board meeting 8-13-25

TOWN OF STEPHENSON                                       MARINETTE COUNTY                                           TOWN HALL

REGULAR BOARD MEETING               

August 13, 2025

          

Chairman Kudick called the meeting to order at 7:00 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 49 others.

Supervisor Stradal moved to adopt the agenda with the addendum and moving item “7e” to the beginning of the agenda. Second by Supervisor Van De Walle. Carried.

Minutes of the July 9, 2025 Board meeting were approved with a motion by Supervisor Stradal, second by Supervisor Belanger, and carried.

Treasurer Uhazie’s financial report showed the following balances as of July 31, 2025

           Stephenson National Bank General Fund                                   $     46,646.88

           LGIF #1- Operating Account                                                     $   750,755.57

           LGIF #2 – 2% Account                                                               $   111,171.42

           LGIF #3- Depreciation Account                                                 $   797,244.40

           LGIF #4 – Tax Account                                                              $   109,590.20

           LGIF #5 – ARPA Account                                                          $                 .00

           Nicolet Bank Tax Money Market                                               $       1,211.18

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

Vouchers #52460 through #52520, payroll charges, and EFT payments were approved as presented by the Clerk, with a motion by Supervisor Stradal second by Supervisor McCabe, and carried.

Under correspondence, Clerk Olson stated she received two complaints that was forwarded to the Board and the Code Enforcer and information on a “wake boat” Ordinance request which was also forwarded to the Board and is on the agenda for tonight.

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

Chairman Kudick allowed persons from La Plante Lane to make comments and ask questions concerning the recent Ordinance passed for the ATV/UTV trail on LaPlante Lane. Some of the concerns expressed were the vehicles not following the speed limit, using vulgar language to the residents on the road, coming through from the different establishments at all hours and having loud music and loud machines. The residents do not feel safe with the route on the road. They requested that the trail be moved off their road and onto the snowmobile trail or County W. Marinette County Forestry Administrator, Ryan Bourassa, spoke to the residents and explained that he does not have authority to place the trail on County W. He also stated that the private residents that own the land the snowmobile trail is on will not allow ATV/UTV’s on their land. He stated that he tried all other options to connect the trail and ran out of options except for the current one on La Plante. He further stated that if the Town so chooses to remove La Plante from the trail, the County will need to review the trail system to see if it can remain open without the connection. He informed the residents that they can voice their concerns to Marinette County Economic Development Committee. His hands are tied as far as using the snowmobile trail or County Road W. He also stated that if there is a complaint they can direct it to the Sheriff’s department. Patrolling was questioned by the residents. Ryan stated that Chairman Kudick, himself, and the sheriff’s department have patrolled there. Marinette County has 2 designated Officers for ATV/UTV complaints. The Board thanked Ryan for answering questions and concerns for the residents and stated they understand the concerns of those residents. Supervisor Stradal made a motion to take the concerns and further discussion to a committee meeting. Supervisor Van De Walle offered a second. Motion carried.

CSM 2025-17 for Donna & Thomas Compton for 2 lots, located in part of government lot 6, Sec 15, T32N-R18E, in the Town of Stephenson, Marinette County, Wisconsin, with ingress and egress to County Hwy W, was presented by Rob Kamps Land Surveying. Motion to approve by Supervisor Van De Walle, second by Supervisor Belanger, and carried.

          

                                        Continued from page 1 of meeting of 8-13-2025                                                                              Page 2

CSM 2025-18 for Richard and Theresa Schroeder, for 1 lot, located in the SE¼ of the NW ¼ of Sec 34, T33N-R18E, in the Town of Stephenson, Marinette County, Wisconsin, with ingress and egress to Country Aire Lane, was presented by Rob Kamps Land Surveying. Motion to approve by Supervisor McCabe, second by Supervisor Stradal, and carried.

CSM 2025-19 for Doug Wagner for 4 lots (1-4), located in the SW¼ of the SW ¼ and the SE ¼ of the SW ¼ of Sec 26, T33N-R18E, in the Town of Stephenson, Marinette County, Wisconsin, with ingress and egress to Parkway Road, was presented by Rob Kamps Land Surveying. Motion to approve by Supervisor Van De Walle, second by Supervisor Stradal, and carried.

CSM 2025-20 for Doug Wagner for 3 lots (5–7), located in the SW¼ of the SW ¼ and the SE ¼ of the SW ¼ of Sec 26, T33N-R18E, in the Town of Stephenson, Marinette County, Wisconsin, with ingress and egress to Parkway Road, was presented by Rob Kamps Land Surveying. Motion to approve by Supervisor Van De Walle, second by Supervisor Stradal, and carried.

CSM 2025-21 for Doug Wagner for 3 lots (8–10), located in the SW¼ of the SW ¼ and the SE ¼ of the SW ¼ of Sec 26, T33N-R18E, in the Town of Stephenson, Marinette County, Wisconsin, with ingress and egress to Parkway Road, was presented by Rob Kamps Land Surveying. Motion to approve by Supervisor Van De Walle, second by Supervisor Stradal, and carried.

Tony Olson addressed the Board on unkept properties. He asked to get a listing of complaints on these properties. He has complained before and sees nothing happening. He also asked that the Ordinance be changed to remove the “within 500” of the complainants’ property to file a complaint. Another resident stated that he would like permission to talk with his neighbors about unkept properties on his road. Chairman Kudick stated he did not need permission from the Board to do that. He also stated that he is not comfortable giving a list of complaints to the public because a complaint does not mean they are guilty so it should not be public. Supervisor McCabe stated the complaints get filed with the Code Enforcer who investigates them and they get sent to an officer to issue tickets if they do not comply with the Ordinance, after receiving direction from the Code Enforcer. Chairman Kudick asked that this issue be taken to a committee meeting for review of the Ordinance and further discussion.

Supervisor Van De Walle made a motion to replace the lighting at Fire Station 2 with the purchase of 6 LED lights and installation. Second by Supervisor Stradal and carried.

Supervisor Stradal has asked for quotes for labels on doors at Fire Stations 1 and 3. He will bring those quotes back to the next Board meeting for possible action.

The “No UTV’s” signs have been removed from State boat landings. Supervisor Stradal moved that the Town follows. Supervisor Van De Walle offered a second. Motion carried.

The person requesting an alert system was not present so the Chairman tabled the item to the next Board meeting.

There were quite a few persons present to make their voices heard concerning a “wake boat” ordinance they are requesting the Town Board to pass. Chairman Kudick stated he definitely thinks something needs to be done, however, making an Ordinance we can’t even enforce doesn’t make sense. Supervisor McCabe told of another community that was sued because of their ‘wake boat” Ordinance, so the Board needs to be diligent in doing their homework before enforcing an Ordinance. There were quite a few suggestions of Ordinances passed by other communities around the Town of Stephenson. Residents suggested different Towns to contact to find out what they have done. Residents commented on the dangers the wake boats cause on the smaller lakes and also the destruction of the shore and lake bottoms. They requested that the Board be proactive in getting this Ordinance passed rather than waiting. Chairman Kudick stated the Board is not against an Ordinance, they just want to do it correctly. The Board is grateful for all the input on the subject and will take this up in a committee meeting.

Supervisor McCabe spoke with the County on installing flashing signs at a few key intersections that the County controls. They will not pay for the signs but are willing to place them if we purchase and maintain them. Prices will be checked and cost for how much maintenance is required and be brought back to the Board.

Supervisor McCabe requested that the ROW sign Ordinance be moved to a committee meeting.

                                        Continued from page 2 of meeting of 8-13-2025                                                 Page 3

Treasurer Uhazie explained the changes she made to the website and gave all Board members a copy of what is on the site so they can look it over and let her know what needs to be changed or corrected before the next Board meeting. Motion to table by Supervisor Van De Walle, second by Supervisor McCabe and carried.

                                       

Clerk Olson stated that advertising for an Assessor was placed in the Peshtigo Times starting last week for 4 weeks and will be in the Wisconsin Towns magazine September issue. So far, she has not had anyone contact her. She will be calling an Assessor she was given a number for by one of the Board members.

There are 4 operator license applications. One has not had a records check yet, so the Clerk is asking that if so led, the Board would approve that one contingent to the check coming back acceptable. A motion by Supervisor Van De Walle approved 3 licenses for issuance and one approved contingent to records check being completed and accepted. Second by Supervisor Stradal. Carried.

Supervisor McCabe gave all members a copy of the information he forwarded to the Attorney concerning the Variance procedures and application. Attorney Coggins asked that the Building Inspector get a copy and be kept in the loop. Supervisor McCabe stated that he had given one to the building inspector. He further asked that he will have her review it and then it will be discussed at a committee meeting before bringing it back to the Board.

A complaint filed by Jerod Valley about the property excavated next to his violates the nuisance law. He states some of the dirt piles are in the town ROW. When he tries to pull out on the road, the corner vision is horrible. He has asked the town to come look at it and has not heard anything back from either Craig or Mike. It is affecting his quality of life. Chairman Kudick stated that the town has hired a surveyor to know the exact roadway. The surveyor has not gotten there yet, but as soon as he does so we know exactly where our roadway is, we will address it with the property owner.

Under Public Comments, A resident thanked the Board for putting the “wake boat” problem on the agenda and listening to their concerns. He asked that they “go big’ when doing an ordinance. Larry Engebos stated there is a problem with the boat ramp at the boat landing on Thunder Lake.

Motion to adjourn at 9:02 pm by Supervisor Stradal, second by Supervisor Van De Walle and carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Elaine Olson, Clerk