TOWN OF BLAINE
TOWN BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, September 10th, 2025
(PENDING TOWN BOARD APPROVAL)
I. OPENING
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Mike Metcalf called the September 10th, 2025 town board meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Chairman Mike Metcalf, Supervisor Josh Fornengo, Clerk Ryan Brennan, Treasurer Mona Velebir, Dan, Nicole & Elijah Sear, Brandie Fornengo, Ron Gallagher, Billy Fish, Jerry Metcalf
ABSENT: Supervisor Bryan Holter
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Chairman Mike Metcalf motioned to approve the August 13th, 2025 town board meeting minutes as submitted. Supervisor Josh Fornengo seconded. Motion approved.
II. STANDING REPORTS
CLERK’S REPORT: Clerk Ryan Brennan & Charla Zaccardi have been working extensively in the town’s accounting software, Quickbooks Online, to bring the bank reconciliation process up-to-date and assist with FY 2026 budgetary preparations. This task included removing duplicate transactions that extended back into 2024 after the recent consolidation of bank accounts in the software while also matching and categorizing transactions made throughout the current year. Clerk Ryan Brennan has also resumed renovation of the administrative office and record & equipment storage closet after the completion of much-needed repairs and maintenance identified throughout the year. He fully prepared the requisite spaces for painting and completed that phase in the latter half of August. The installation of fixtures & furniture, including updating the filing system and stocking the administrative office supply closet, is currently ongoing.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Treasurer Mona Velebir reported on bank balances for Community Bank of Siren. Our net balance is currently $164,179.09.
APPROVAL TO PAY EXPENDITURES: Clerk Ryan Brennan reviewed the expenditure summary from the prior month. He updated the payroll tax information to include more accurate and timely withdrawal amounts, designed and purchased street name signs for placing by Ron Gallagher & Dan Sear, separated fire truck loan payments into the general expense category and plow truck loan payments into the road expense category, and cancelled unnecessary and outdated subscriptions with HP Ink and Adobe to reduce monthly recurring charges. Clerk Ryan Brennan also mentioned that with the completion of many repair projects at the NCC and the subsequent dissolution of the NCC Advisory Committee, expenditures relating to NCC operations has begun to decrease, although repairs of the furnace and water heater are currently ongoing. He also thanked Charla Zaccardi for her abundant assistance in training and budgetary preparations. Chairman Mike Metcalf motioned to approved the expenditure & payroll summary as submitted. Supervisor Josh Fornengo seconded. Motion approved.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: Chairman Mike Metcalf summarized details of ongoing preparations for the FY 2026 budget, including town board members meeting for special budget workshops. The town board continues to review expenses for the current year, in addition to those from 2024, to refine the 2026 budgeting process, so a great deal of work is still required for completion. Chairman Mike Metcalf will be attending the WTA Fall Budgeting and Levy Workshop on September 17th. He reviewed in detail the projected 2025 financial forecast and projected road expenses for the remainder of the year. He also met with the owner of Burnett Transfer Station in Siren, WI to explore future options for the disposal of prohibited items in our town. Ron Gallagher’s retirement celebration is scheduled for Saturday, October 14th at the NCC from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Kevin Tidemand will be looking for grant opportunities on behalf of the town and is already working on a small grant application. Proposed road projects were also reviewed, and WisDOT road certification must be completed by December 15th, 2025. Chairman Mike Metcalf also reminded attendees of the upcoming Open Book & Board of Review meetings on September 19th and 26th, respectively.
ROAD CONDITION REPORT: Ron Gallagher reported that the training of our new roads/maintenance supervisor Dan Sear is proceeding along well, graveling has been completed on St. Croix Trail, and road signs are currently being inspected for potential replacement by the county.
ROAD EQUIPMENT REPORT: Ron Gallagher & Dan Sear will be reviewing inventory at the garage, upon which the supervisory board will discuss the results with Tyler Holten of Rural Mutual Insurance Company before our next town board meeting. Clerk Ryan Brennan will also be purchasing insurance with them for the town’s recently-acquired front-end loader while removing coverage from the old Caterpillar front-end loader.
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. Fire activity has been slightly moderate and at acceptable levels. Funding from multiple grants will be coming to the fire department at multiple dates in the future, and there was also discussion about establishing a joint fire association and its benefits to both Dairyland and Blaine.
WARTS/TRANSFER STATION REPORT: Clerk Ryan Brennan reported that with Labor Day weekend over and the school season back in session, guest traffic is beginning to gradually diminish and transition into the slower cold season. He also reviewed a bill from Holdt’s Disposal with attendees to inform them of how fixed & variable costs are incurred during the swapping out of our dumpsters.
III. OLD BUSINESS
1) Town board members recently met in working sessions for the FY 2026 budget process on October 3rd & 8th, and will be meeting again on October 18th.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
1) Discussion of the town’s ATV/UTV ordinance will be tabled for now as the county has found our current ordinance to be unenforceable, especially since there are little to no signs present for the reference of drivers.
2) The supervisory board is in agreement with the upcoming construction of a new cell phone tower on N. Markville Rd. by Trileaf/Ramaker & Associates, and Clerk Ryan Brennan will be contacting them to relay the message.
V. CLOSING
REVIEW OF PROJECTS: Town board members reviewed current projects as well as assignments and follow-ups to the old and new business items listed above.
ITEMS FOR NEXT MONTH’S AGENDA:
1) Update on budgetary preparations for FY 2026.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS: Open Book will take place at the NCC on Friday, September 19th, 2025 @ 5:00 p.m., and Board of Review will take place at the NCC on the following Friday, September 26th, 2025 @ 5:00 p.m. Ron Gallagher’s Retirement Party will take place at the NCC on Saturday, October 4th, 2025 @ 4:00 p.m.—7:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT: Supervisor Josh Fornengo motioned to adjourn at 8:14 p.m. Chairman Mike Metcalf seconded. Motioned approved. Meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Ryan W. Brennan, Town Clerk
Signed and dated this 10th day of September, 2025
By: __________________________________________
Michael C. Metcalf, Chairman