TOWN OF BLAINE
MEETING MINUTES
November 12, 2019
Chairman Drake called the November 12, 2019 monthly board meeting to order at 6:03 pm.
Present were Chairman Vern Drake, Supervisor Josh Fornengo, Supervisor Jessica Estridge, Clerk Charla Zaccardi, Treasurer Larry Holter, Ron and Sandy Gallagher, Bonnie Young, Ron and Sharon Proffit, Dairyland Fire Chief, Bill Fish, Stephanie Askin, Doug Hatch, Dana Listerud, Brandie Fornengo, Matt Holter, Steve Lundeen and Cole Fornengo.
Clerk’s Report: Under New Business #6 – Chairman Drake contacted Dave Grindell about parking on Town property and liability issues. He will get back to us, but in the meantime, Chairman Drake will order “No Parking” signs to be posted on town property and near the intersection of Big McGraw Road. Supervisor Estridge made the motion to approve the October 15, 2019 board meeting minutes as corrected. Supervisor Fornengo seconded. Motion approved.
Treasurer’s Report was provided by Treasurer Holter.
Expenses: Supervisor Fornengo made a motion to approve payment of the bills as submitted. Supervisor Estridge seconded. Motion approved.
Citizen’s Input: Ron Proffit shared that he and Ron Gallagher put up the Emil Bliese sign at the boat landing on Big McGraw Lake. Chairman Drake has already received a complimentary e-mail regarding the sign. Chairman Drake thanked Ron Proffit for bringing up this long overdue memorial recognition.
Chairman’s Report:
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Chairman Drake attended the Wisconsin Towns Association quarterly meeting on Thursday, October 24, 2019 at 7pm and shared the ambulance response time report with residents.
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Chairman Drake will get the required documents to Mike Hoefs for the LRIP and will talk to him about the Multimould Local Supplememt.
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Chairman Drake recently contacted the U.S. Park Service requesting to expand the parking lot on the Namekagon River due to safety issues.
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Chairman Drake has obtained signed permission from a landowner to trap nuisance beavers on private land in Minnesota adjacent to State Line Road. Signatures have been secured from all parties.
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Chairman Drake noted that the fire extinguishers within the Town of Blaine will be serviced in November by Summit Companies.
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Chairman Drake signed the North Lakes Mechanical Consulting Services, Inc., contract with Dennis Quinn to continue as the building inspector for Blaine in 2020. Supervisor Estridge motioned to approve Dennis Quinn as the building inspector for 2020, Supervisor Fornengo seconded the motion. Motion approved.
OLD BUSINESS:
Road Equipment Update: Ron Gallagher stated equipment is in good condition.
Road Condition Report: Ron Gallagher reported roads are in good condition. He aslo stated road signs and beaver gates are missing. New signs will be ordered and beaver gates made and installed.
Northland Community Center: Cozy Corner Trails will hold their annual snowmobile safety training course at the NCC on November 16 and 17, 2019.
Waste & Recycle Transfer Station: None
NEW BUSINESS:
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Chairman Drake shared an e-mail from Dave Grindell, Burnett County Corporation Counsel, requesting that Big Hill Road, a town road, be closed to ATV’s/UTV’s during the summer months to correspond to the snowmobile trail closing during those months. After reviewing the ATV/UTV and snowmobile maps a discussion about closing Big Hill Road took place. It was agreed that the road would be closed for ATV/UTV use for 8 months of the year, the summer months since it was never an ATV trail as it was only used during frozen ground periods. A motion was made by Supervisor Jessica Estridge and seconded by Supervisor Josh Fornengo that Big Hill Road, being a town road, be closed to all ATV/UTV traffic during the summer months, and will only be open to ATV’s/UTV’s from December 1st through March 31st when the ground is frozen.
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Budget 2020 had already been taken care of before the board meeting.
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The Town Board revisited the request from Dairyland Fire Chief, Billy Fish regarding a 50/50 grant application for communication equipment upgrades. The department is requesting $8,960.00. Half of this cost will be reimbursed to the Town in April 2020. There was a discussion of possible future fundraisers within the community for the department. Supervisor Estridge made a motion to allot $8,960.00 to the Dairyland Fire Department grant application. Supervisor Fornengo seconded. Motion approved. Dairyland Fire Chief, Billy Fish thanked the board for their support.
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Supervisor Fornengo shared the cost estimates of car port type building possibilities for protection for the dumpsters at the Waste and Recycle Transfer Station (WARTS). There were other options discussed for keeping rain out and reducing unauthorized dumping as we pay by weight for the dumpster. The board will continue to try to find a solution of unauthorized usage. Other type of dumpsters and quotes will be brought forward again.
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Clerk Zaccardi shared 2019 Election Security Subgrant Program due to the Wisconsin Elections Commission by November 15, 2019. This program is to provide financial resources to make sure that every clerk has an up-to-date, secure computer, has access to professional IT support, and has received election security training. She will submit the grant application by the deadline.
Supervisor Fornengo made a motion to adjourn at 6:55 pm. Supervisor Estridge seconded. Motion passed. Meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Charla Zaccardi, Clerk
Signed and dated this _12th day of November 2019
By: ________________________________________
Vern Drake, Chairman