TOWN OF BLAINE
TOWN BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, April 30th, 2025
I. OPENING
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Mike Metcalf called the April 30th, 2025 town board meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Chairman Mike Metcalf, Supervisor Bryan Holter, Supervisor Josh Fornengo, Clerk Ryan Brennan, Treasurer Mona Velebir, Jessica Estridge, Charla Zaccardi, Kevin Tidemand, Rebecca Jonasen, William Jonasen, Nick Jonasen, Luz Jonasen, Mikaela Hughes, Matt Holter, Laura Metcalf, Dan & Nicole Sear, Ron & Sandy Gallagher, Susan Freymiller, Jessica Smiley, Phil & Deb Jackson, John Velebir, Vern Drake, Jerry Metcalf, Dori Willett
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
SPECIAL RECOGNITION: Chairman Mike Metcalf gave thanks to Jessica Estridge and Charla Zaccardi for their training and mentoring, as well as to the hard work and dedication contributed by Clerk Ryan Brennan, Treasurer Mona Velebir, and Ron Gallagher. He also thanked the NCC Advisory Committee for their ongoing renovation of the NCC.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Supervisor Josh Fornengo motioned to approve the March 12th, 2025 town board meeting minutes as submitted. Supervisor Bryan Holter seconded. Motion approved.
II. STANDING REPORTS
CLERK’S REPORT: Clerk Ryan Brennan gave a brief description of some of his job duties.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Treasurer Mona Velebir reported on bank balances for Bremer Bank and Community Bank of Cameron.
APPROVAL TO PAY EXPENDITURES: Expenditures were reviewed by the board. A discussion took place regarding town clerk internet and phone charges, in addition to Holdt Disposal costs. Supervisor Josh Fornengo motioned to approve the submitted expenses. Supervisor Bryan Holter seconded. Motion approved.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: Chairman Mike Metcalf introduced himself to all present and gave a brief description of his personal history and credentials. He will be working with Clerk Ryan Brennan to create a task-tracking document and implement future changes to the township website. Chairman Mike Metcalf gave notice of a public hearing on zoning variance for Jeff & Wendy Froehle on June 2nd, gave details regarding revenue gained from timber sales in the township, thanked Ray Sandstrom for his groundskeeping work, and inquired Matt Holter of details regarding how the Dairyland transfer station takes additional items and collects payments.
ROAD CONDITION REPORT: Ron Gallagher reported that the roads are in generally good condition with only minor deterioration from logging vehicle activity.
ROAD EQUIPMENT REPORT: Ron Gallagher reported that all equipment has been receiving maintenance. Supervisor Josh Fornengo reported that fire extinguishers have been updated.
HILLCREST CEMETERY REPORT: Jessica Estridge reported that she is in the process of getting the deed changed over to the township and officially completing its registration as a cemetery. Supervisor Bryan Holter reported that the grounds have been mowed but that it needs to be conditioned better before surveying takes place.
DAIRYLAND FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Matt Holter reported that activity has been minimal but grassfire season is soon approaching.
NCC ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT: Kevin Tidemand reported on the status of repairs for the office window and playground equipment. In order to address the matter of asbestos underneath the current flooring, the floors will eventually be sealed along with new flooring installed over the top. Treasurer Mona Velebir reported on ongoing activity regarding the status of pest management, along with water heater and furnace repair. Phil Jackson will be repairing and redesigning the planter and signs while seeking volunteer assistance. Clerk Ryan Brennan will be providing assistance by gradually updating paperwork and signage used throughout the interior of the building, including the chair and table rental forms.
WARTS/TRANSFER STATION REPORT: Clerk Ryan Brennan reported that he has been gradually acclimating guests into the habit of presenting their permits upon request, assisting guests in the application process, providing copies of the application along with flyers of information on transfer station details, answering any questions asked, and addressing minor errors pertaining to permit issuance and delivery. Chairman Mike Metcalf requested leniency on permit presentation be extended temporarily to non-permanent residents returning after Memorial Day so they may be properly informed of the new permit system and provided assistance in the application process. Clerk Ryan Brennan suggested in order to help facilitate this request that he will accept completed applications with proper payment on site and thus expedite the application process. He also requested to have the brush near the dumpsters cleared to assist in cleaning the grounds of loose debris, and Ron Gallagher offered to help.
III. OLD BUSINESS
1) Chairman Mike Metcalf began the process of voting on whether to adopt or abandon Ordinance #2025-001 (Artificial Wake Enhancement Restrictions). He thanked the community for their participation in the respective public hearing that took place previously on March 22nd, 2025, followed by reading the ordinance aloud in full to all present. Chairman Mike Metcalf then motioned to conduct a voice vote regarding the approval or abandonment of Ordinance #2025-001: 3 votes in support (Mike Metcalf, Bryan Holter, Josh Fornengo), 0 votes in opposition. Unanimous support. Motion approved.
2) Clerk Ryan Brennan inquired NCC Advisory Committee members of details regarding the removal of the remaining excess furniture and equipment held at the NCC, drawing attention to the organ in the hallway and excess ballot boxes. Having contributed much to the task by relocating a majority of the items and coordinating with multiple volunteers over the past few months, Clerk Ryan Brennan then entrusted the remainder of the task to be completed by the NCC Advisory Committee members.
3) Before leaving office, Jessica Estridge reviewed and subsequently purchased a Microsoft Office® Business Package for electronic devices used by the supervisory board and administrative staff. This includes very useful programs such as Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more. Clerk Ryan Brennan thanked her for such a valuable contribution.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
1) Chairman Mike Metcalf discussed a proposal regarding restructuring of the township’s debts and presented documentation to the town board members, including a cash flow forecast and details of our loans for FEMA, the fire truck, the snow plow, and additional equipment. Discussions will take place with the bank on rolling some of our current loans into installment loans.
2) East Central Energy (ECE) has requested to install a fiber-optic line alongside State Line Road. Supervisor Josh Fornengo requested they stay 14ft away from the road in order to prevent any interference with necessary road work such as replacing culverts. ECE would also have to brush sites at their own expense.
3) The supervisory board wishes to purchase a front-end loader from Ray Sandstrom. The equipment would serve as an excellent replacement at an approximate cost of only $20,000. The purchase will need to take place soon, and the old equipment must be sold off. Supervisor Josh Fornengo motioned to approve the purchase of the front-end loader and the sale of the old equipment. Supervisor Bryan Holter seconded. Motion approved.
4) Changing the authority of banking signatories needs to take place, and a copy of these same town board meeting minutes will be needed to do that. Supervisor Josh Fornengo motioned to begin the process of removing the authority of Jessica Estridge and Charla Zaccardi as banking signatories while giving that same authority to Chairman Mike Metcalf and Clerk Ryan Brennan. Supervisor Bryan Holter seconded. Motion approved.
5) Mowing and trimming service bids were reviewed for both Hillcrest Cemetery and the NCC. Larry Kern will provide service to Hillcrest Cemetery at $300 per occurrence with an additional charge for cleanup from storm damage. Matt Holter will provide service to the NCC for $100 per occurrence. Supervisor Josh Fornengo motioned to approve the mowing and trimming service bids presented by Larry Kern for Hillcrest Cemetery and Matt Holter for the NCC respectively. Supervisor Bryan Holter seconded. Motion approved.
6) The supervisory board went into a closed session at 8:48 p.m. to discuss the process of hiring a new road/maintenance worker for the township. The town board meeting then resumed at 9:02 p.m.
7) A discussion took place regarding the details of the ordinance recently adopted.
V. CLOSING
REVIEW OF PROJECTS: Chairman Mike Metcalf reviewed current projects as well as assignments and follow-ups to the old and new business items listed above.
ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON THE MAY AGENDA:
1) Review of driveways ordinance
2) Update on meeting with bank regarding debt restructuring
3) Update on response from ECE regarding fiber-optic line installation
4) Update on purchase of front-end loader from Ray Sandstrom
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS: Chairman Mike Metcalf and Vern Drake together presented a plaque in honor of Jessica Estridge’s years of dedicated service to the township.
ADJOURNMENT: Supervisor Josh Fornengo motioned to adjourn at 9:06 p.m. Supervisor Bryan Holter seconded. Motion approved. Meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Ryan W. Brennan, Town Clerk
Signed and dated this 30th day of April, 2025
By: __________________________________________
Chairman, Mike Metcalf