TOWN OF BLAINE
MEETING MINUTES

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

 

Supervisor, Josh Fornengo called the December 28, 2022 monthly board meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

Present: Chairman Jessica Estridge (via telephone), Supervisor Josh Fornengo, Supervisor Bryan Holter, Clerk Charla Zaccardi, Treasurer Mona Velebir, Brandie Fornengo, Steve Lundeen and Matt Holter.

Pledge of Allegiance

Clerk’s Report:  Supervisor Josh Fornengo motioned to approve the November 9, 2022 meeting minutes. Supervisor, Bryan Holter seconded. Motion approved.

Expenses:  Supervisor Josh Fornengo made a motion to approve expenditure payments as submitted.  Supervisor Bryan Holter seconded.  Motion approved.

Citizen’s Input: Steve Lundeen was present with concern about the county access trail property. He asked question: Who has jurisdiction of clearing it? Chairman Jessica Estridge will consult with the lawyer who is advising the Town of Blaine, for guidance and will get back to other board members and residents. It has not been a Town road for decades. No road aids are received for this access. It was noted Big Island Road gets plowed but the hill on Big Hill Road is difficult to plow. It will be opened up more to approx. 20 feet of road surface to make it easier. A citizen’s request was received for Namekagon Point Road to be plowed again, this is already in the works as all roads were being plowed an additional time. A citizen asked if the town was planning on advertising for an additional road worker, the answer was yes, and that a job description would be put together for the next meeting and then published until enough applicants are received.

Chairman’s Report: Chairman Jessica Estridge mentioned she has not received much mail recently, but has been receiving several compliments from town residents on our roads and community since after the storm.

 

 

Supervisor Josh Fornengo made a motion to approve adding an agenda item tonight in order to set the upcoming caucus meeting date and time.  Supervisor Bryan Holter seconded.  Motion approved.

OLD BUSINESS:

Road Equipment Update:  All equipment is up and running. The mower is now working.

 

Road Condition Report:  None.

 

Fire Report: Chief, Billy Fish couldn’t be here tonight, but it was reported for Dairyland: 31 total calls, 21 medicals, 5 fires, 3 accidents, and 2 others; Blaine: 14 total calls, 3 fires, 1 car accident, 1 other; Mutual aid: 3 fires (49 total calls for service). The call volume is substantially down from the last few years. Substantially down from the last 2 years. Hopefully the trend continues.

Northland Community Center:

Upcoming Events:

- Saturday, January 7, 2023 Jones Family funeral

- Tuesday, February 21, 2023 - Sping Primary

- Tuesday, April 4, 2023 – Spring Election

Waste & Recycle Transfer Station: OPEN Wednesday, 4-7 PM and Sunday, 11 AM to 3 PM. Amazing improvement has been seen. Thanks Ryan. A portable restroom should be placed there with Raska providing service in the future.

NEW BUSINESS

1) NCC usage rates are in the range of other communities. We will revisit this again in about six months.

2) Supervisor Josh Fornengo made a motion to hold the caucus on January 11, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.  Supervisor Bryan Holter seconded.  Motion approved.

The caucus will be held January 11, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. at the Northland Community Center with the monthly meeting immediately following at 7:00 p.m.

ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON THE JANUARY AGENDA

  • Approve road employee job description to post ad for applications

Chairman Jessica Estridge motioned to adjourn at 8:04 pm. Supervisor Bryan Holter seconded. Meeting was adjourned.                                            

Respectfully submitted, 
Charla Zaccardi, Clerk 

Signed and dated this 28th day of December, 2022
  By: ________________________________________

          Jessica Estridge, Chairman