TOWN OF BLAINE
MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
PENDING TOWN BOARD APPROVAL
Chairman Jessica Estridge called the January 8, 2025 monthly board meeting to order at 7:28 pm.
Present were Chairman Jessica Estridge, Supervisor Josh Fornengo, Supervisor Bryan Holter, Treasurer Mona Velebir, Clerk Charla Zaccardi, Ron and Sandy Gallagher, Phillip Jackson, Dan and Nicole Sear, Kevin Tidemand, Billy Fish, Jerry Metcalf, Dori Willett, Brandie Fornengo, Jim Marr, Ron and Sharon Proffit, Dan Arnal, Ryan Brennen and Vern Drake.
Pledge of Allegiance
Clerk’s Report: Supervisor Bryan Holter made a motion to approve the December 11, 2024 monthly board meeting minutes as submitted. Chairman Jessica Estridge seconded. Motion approved.
Supervisor Bryan Holter made a motion to approve the December 4, 2024 Special board meeting minutes as submitted. Chairman Jessica Estridge seconded. Motion approved.
Supervisor Josh Fornengo made a motion to approve the December 17, 2024 Special board meeting minutes as submitted. Supervisor Bryan Holter seconded. Motion approved.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Mona Velebir reported on bank balances for Bremer Bank and Community Bank of Cameron.
Expenses: Expenditures were reviewed by the board. Supervisor Josh Fornengo moved to approve the submitted expenses, Supervisor Bryan Holter seconded. Motion approved.
Citizen’s Input: A discussion took place about the timeline and location of recent public notices. Some residents are not seeing postings. The clerk reported that postings are on the town website (townofblainewi.com), town posting boxes located at the Northland Community Center and Hillside Inn. The most recent township job postings were listed for two consecutive weeks in the Burnett County Sentinel. The caucus posting was posted on the website and at both town posting boxes over the required posting timeline of 5 days before the caucus date. (Where a newspaper is not published within the municipality, clerks can meet the publishing requirement by posting the notice of the caucus in at least three locations within the municipality. Wis. Stat. § 10.05.) When posting is used, the notices must be placed no later than 5 days before the date of the caucus. The notices must be posted in 3 places within the municipality where they are most likely to be seen by electors, or in one location within the municipality and on the municipalities website.
Chairman’s Report: None
OLD BUSINESS:
Road Equipment Report: Ron Gallagher reported the equipment is fine.
Road Condition Report: Ron mentioned roads are in good condition.
Fire Report: Fire Chief Bill Fish reported call volume was down last year. Total of 35 calls last year. Only 4 calls so far this year. Thank you Mona for stuffing all the envelopes for their donation drive.
Northland Community Center:
NCC advisory update – Kevin Tidemand handed out minutes from their last meeting. He gave an overview of the current expenses. Compliments go to the church for the new lights in the kitchen. Planned expenses were shared with the board. It was mentioned that the bulletin board outside needs replacing as well.
Bids for new front doors and/or glass were discussed. Chairman Jessica Estridge moved to approve $2,740.00 to replace the glass in the front door of the NCC. Supervisor Bryan Holter seconded. Motion passed.
Nicole Sear shared information about DSI – a company in Siren, WI who employs adults with disabilities. She would be willing to bring employees, as volunteers, once to two times a month to help with deep cleaning projects. Chairman Jessica Estridge will inquire with our town lawyer before this will go into effect.
NCC Calendar Updates:
- Sundays, 1st, 3rd and 5th 2024 Community Church
- Tuesdays, Bible study 6:30 pm (January 7, 14, 21 and 29) Community Church
(February 18, 25; March 4,11,18, 25; April 18)
- Friday- Saturday, January 10 and 11, 2025 Community Church wedding
- Saturday, January 25, 2025 – Community Church
- Wednesday, January 29, 2025 East Pine County Wanderers
- Thursday, February 27 to Sunday, March 2, 2025 – Cozy Corner Trails
- Saturday, April 26, 2025 Dairyland Volunteer Fire Department fundraiser
- Friday and Saturday, May 9-10, 2025 Northland Community Fellowship craft fair
Waste & Recycle Transfer Station: HOURS: 4 PM to 7PM Wednesday evenings, and 11 AM to 3
PM Sunday’s. Ryan reported things are going good. Mona will get Ryan more copies of the permit applications. 2026 permit cards will be decided upon later.
A discussion ensued regarding the use of the WARTS for approximately 12 residents in Dairyland within close proximity to the WARTS. Supervisor Josh Fornengo made a motion to vote against Dairyland residents to use the WARTS facility. Supervisor Bryan Holter seconded. Motion passed.
NEW BUSINESS
1) Chairman Jessica Estridge made a motion to edit the current agenda to add Bob Pardun to the New Business section of today’s agenda, Supervisor Josh Fornengo seconded. Supervisor Bryan Holter Seconded. Motion approved.
Assessor Bob Pardun was in attendance to set dates for the 2025 Open Book and Board of Review policy.
Supervisor Josh Fornengo moved to accept Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 6:45 pm for Open Book and, also Friday, September 19 2025 for Open Book 5-7 pm and Friday, September 26, 2025 for Board of Review from 5-7 pm. Supervisor Bryan Holter seconded. Motion passed.
2) Chairman Jessica Estridge motioned to table the 2025 USDA beaver agreement to the February agenda until it is known how many sites are included in this contract. Supervisor Josh Fornengo seconded. Motion passed.
The board dismissed to a closed session at 8:35 pm. The board reconvened at 9:27 pm.
The board decided to move forward with two applicants, one for each position (Road maintenance and Town Clerk), the applicants will be contacted tomorrow to set up offer meetings.
ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON THE FEBRUARY AGENDA
-
USDA Beaver agreement
-
Possible ordinance – (public hearing coming up)
Spring Primary election is being held Tuesday, February 18, 2025.
Chairman Jessica Estridge made a motion to adjourn at 9:31 pm. Supervisor Bryan Holter seconded.
Motion passed. Meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Charla Zaccardi, Clerk
Signed and dated this 8th day of January 2025
By: ________________________________________
Chairman, Jessica Estridge