TOWN OF BLAINE
TOWN BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, August 13th, 2025
(PENDING TOWN BOARD APPROVAL)
I. OPENING
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Mike Metcalf called the August 13th, 2025 town board meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Chairman Mike Metcalf, Supervisor Josh Fornengo, Supervisor Bryan Holter (via conference call), Clerk Ryan Brennan, Treasurer Mona Velebir, Dan, Nicole & Elijah Sear, Matt Holter, Ron & Sandy Gallagher, Kevin Tidemand, Phil & Deb Jackson, Billy Fish, Bruce Rivard, Cole Fornengo
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Supervisor Josh Fornengo motioned to approve the July 9th, 2025 town board meeting minutes as submitted. Supervisor Bryan Holter seconded. Motion approved. Supervisor Josh Fornengo also motioned to approve the July 23rd, 2025 special meeting minutes as submitted. Supervisor Bryan Holter seconded. Motion approved.
II. STANDING REPORTS
CLERK’S REPORT: Clerk Ryan Brennan purchased & studied training materials for the upcoming Open Book & Board of Review meetings in September, and he also contacted Rural Mutual Insurance and acquired a declaration summary for use in upcoming budget preparations. He also thanked Treasurer Mona Velebir for excellent work in setting up the conference room bulletin boards and Kevin Tidemand for coordinating window repair for his office.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Treasurer Mona Velebir reported on bank balances for Community Bank of Siren. Our net balance is currently $98,697.52. GTA payments will eventually arrive sometime in September or October.
APPROVAL TO PAY EXPENDITURES: Clerk Ryan Brennan reviewed the expenditure summary from the prior month. Loan payments made over the course of 2025 have now been added to the running total of road expenditures. Billy Fish explained details regarding 2% Fire Dues revenue and how it is eventually received by the Dairyland Fire Department. Clerk Ryan Brennan also purchased a Quickbooks Online training course and restocked office supplies that were running low. Supervisor Josh Fornengo motioned to approve the expenditure summary as submitted. Chairman Mike Metcalf seconded. Motion approved.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: Chairman Mike Metcalf has continued correspondence with Dawn Kegley of REM Inspecting in order to bring Chase Fornengo into compliance after constructing a residential dwelling without a building permit. Dan Sear has been accepted to fill our roads/maintenance position, and a celebration will be held for Ron Gallagher retirement in the near future. The NCC Advisory Committee has been officially dissolved after Kevin Tidemand’s recent resignation from it, but he will continue to coordinate with Chairman Mike Metcalf on future repairs and modifications to the NCC. Chairman Mike Metcalf also gave updates on multiple road-related projects, including attending recent DOT training seminars, the need to update the rating of road conditions, looking into bids for gravel crushing, yearly inspections of non-metallic mines, and eventually creating a 5-year road plan.
ROAD CONDITION REPORT: Ron Gallager reported that roads are in good condition, and mowing and grading is proceeding along without issue.
ROAD EQUIPMENT REPORT: Ron Gallagher reported that minor repairs to the road equipment has occurred.
DAIRYLAND FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Billy Fish reported that the Dairyland Fire Department’s Open House Fundraiser will take place on September 13th, 2025 @ 12:00 p.m.—5:00 p.m. October will be ideal for holding a community fire safety program at the NCC.
WARTS/TRANSFER STATION REPORT: Clerk Ryan Brennan asked for all guests to the transfer station to please respect the scheduled hours and arrive in a timely fashion well before closing. He also updated the informative flyers with new information, including the town’s website and the new address & schedule of the Burnett Transfer Station in Siren, WI, and thanked both Ron Gallagher & Elijah Sear for brushing the tall grass near the dumpsters to allow for proper cleanup.
III. OLD BUSINESS
1) The budget process will be updated and more detailed for FY 2026, and special meetings will take place in the near future to facilitate it.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
1) Phil & Deb Jackson will be holding Sunday church services more regularly on a weekly basis beginning in late October.
2) Ron Gallagher discussed how local ATV clubs have not maintained roads nor provided adequate signage as promised, resulting in excessive damage & repair costs.
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. As a result, the supervisory board will be taking a closer look at the town’s ATV/UTV ordinance to see where changes need to occur.
ITEMS FOR NEXT MONTH’S AGENDA:
1) Discussion of ATV/UTV ordinance.
2) Update on budgetary preparations for FY 2026.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS: Open Book will take place on Friday, September 19th, 2025 @ 5:00 p.m., and Board of Review will take place on the following Friday, September 26th, 2025 @ 5:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Mike Metcalf motioned to adjourn at 8:44 p.m. Supervisor Josh Fornengo seconded. Motioned approved. Meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Ryan W. Brennan, Town Clerk
Signed and dated this 13th day of August, 2025
By: __________________________________________
Michael C. Metcalf, Chairman