TOWN OF BLAINE
TOWN BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, January 14th, 2026
Blaine Town Hall/Northland Community Center
(PENDING TOWN BOARD APPROVAL)
I. OPENING
CALL TO ORDER: Mike Metcalf called the January 14th, 2026 town board meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Chairman Mike Metcalf, Supervisor Josh Fornengo, Supervisor Bryan Holter, Clerk Ryan Brennan, Treasurer Mona Velebir, Ron Gallagher, Dan & Nicole Sear, Billy Fish, Matt Holter, Lynne Arneson & Vern Drake
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Josh Fornengo motioned to approve the December 10th, 2025 town board meeting minutes as submitted. Bryan Holter seconded. Motion approved.
II. STANDING REPORTS
CLERK’S REPORT: Ryan Brennan expressed gratitude for the holiday kindness and generosity showed to him from many community members at the transfer station, ranging from Christmas cards, baked goods, gift cards, and more. He also took a moment to reflect on the past few years spent working for the town since starting out as a transfer station attendant back in November 2022, working as chief inspector for elections since the middle of 2023, and taking on the role of town clerk since January 2025—all positions he currently works to this day. Regarding clerk duties, Ryan Brennan finished preparations for the tax roll after last month’s town board meeting and filed the final respective reports. He sent payment-in-full to the BCPL via priority mail to pay off our FEMA loan and interest accrued before the Christmas holiday while simultaneously paying all invoices on hand. He completed 4 election-related trainings before the New Year holiday in order to be fully certified and prepared for the 2026 election season. NCC reservation calendars for the entire year of 2026 were prepared and posted to the town website. Since there will be no Spring Primary in February this year, Ryan Brennan announced that he will be prioritizing the completion of tasks started last year that he wishes to either complete or at least make significant progress in before the Spring Election in April, including administrative office renovations, filing system revisions, bookkeeping training, preparing election inspectors for the election season, and more.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Mona Velebir reported on bank balances for Community Bank of Siren. When the BCPL soon deposits our payment sent from last month, our net balance will be $298,144.30. Mike Metcalf also requested that Mona Velebir look into setting up a money market account with the bank using some of the excess funds in the town’s account and report her findings to him. Josh Fornengo motioned to approve the treasurer’s report as submitted. Bryan Holter seconded. Motion approved.
APPROVAL TO PAY EXPENDITURES: Ryan Brennan reviewed the expenditure & payroll summary of the prior month. He created 2 separate expenditure & payroll summaries, one for the end of 2025 and the other for the beginning of 2026, to better prepare the bookkeeping software for future reporting and provide more accuracy to the running totals of both general and roads expenditures in 2026. January tax settlements were paid to the county and school districts, and future payments will be made in February and August as well. The task of cleaning up and revising the chart of accounts in QuickBooks Online was started, which he will continue to work on as the year progresses. He will also send and print out any expense tracking reports for the current payroll period going forward to fellow town board members to provide more visibility into town purchases & reimbursements. Josh Fornengo motioned to approve the expenditure & payroll summary as submitted. Bryan Holter seconded. Motion approved.
SUPERVISORS’ REPORT: Josh Fornengo thanked Dan Sear for the good work accomplished as the town’s new roads-maintenance supervisor. Bryan Holter mentioned that due to some delays reported to him in the acquisition and installation of parts for the new plow truck, the revised estimated time of completion should be around the beginning of February.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: Mike Metcalf reviewed handouts with attendees regarding the status of proposed road projects for 2026 and updates to the TRI/TRIS grants. Once the tax roll is prepared by Ryan Brennan in November 2026, he requested Mona Velebir to secure a tax collection bond going forward instead of using the town’s 2017 ordinance waiving its requirement when picking up and distributing tax bills. He also requested Ryan Brennan to look into why the 2024 Debt Margin Report has $0 listed for actual debt. Chase Fornengo recently started an online application to attempt to come into compliance regarding the building permit violation case, but the application currently remains unfinished, nor has there been any response from him since January 7th, 2026. Drafts for a citation, summons, and complaint have been created, and a time will be set for an initial appearance once preparations are complete. As of January 8th, 2026, the estimated cost of the fine for Chase Fornengo is $31,068.
ROAD CONDITION REPORT: Dan Sear reported that he has been sanding the icy roads often and the incoming snow should make the driving conditions on the Barrens roads more favorable. He has also been brushing down St. Croix Trail & Perkin’s Trail. Mike Metcalf thanked both Dan Sear & Ron Gallagher for their hard work during a particularly inclement winter season.
ROAD EQUIPMENT REPORT: Dan Sear reported that he swapped out blades on the grader and the new plug-in for the plow truck should soon be delivered and installed.
DAIRYLAND FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Billy Fish reported that 65 service calls in total were provided in 2025, with 28 of those calls addressed in Dairyland, 29 in Blaine, and 8 as mutual aid in other locations—9 of those fires took place in our jurisdiction! As a result, 2025 turned out to be one of their busiest years. The fire department will be offering free, non-certified CPR classes in April at the NCC and will soon schedule them with Ryan Brennan.
TRANSFER STATION REPORT: Ryan Brennan reported that after discussing concerns regarding the gate chain & locks with Dan Sear, he then spoke with Mike Metcalf to devise a solution and purchased weather-resistant locks and a new chain. Ryan Brennan will also coordinate with Dan Sear to temporarily borrow the garage keys, make copies of them, and eventually assign some to the town supervisors. He also thanked Dan Sear for moving the garbage dumpsters and recycling bins forward as requested.
III. OLD BUSINESS
1) Ryan Brennan provided copies for review of the ordinances to be worked on this year to fellow town board members. They pertain to the Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC), culverts, and ATVs.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
1) Ryan Brennan discovered evidence of an attempted break-in of the administrative office at the NCC on January 9th, 2026. Thankfully, no damage to the premises occurred, nor were any supplies or valuable equipment stolen. He immediately collected evidence and informed Mike Metcalf of the incident. Ryan Brennan returned the following day to conduct a general security review of the building and discovered that the side door by the kitchen was unlocked. Therefore, he will be developing a security protocol for guests of the building to follow before the Spring Election in April, as well as securing the side door near the kitchen. Since the NCC serves as a town hall and polling site for our elections, we are required by the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) to take reasonable measures to secure the building when such events occur.
2) Prior to 2025, a special assessment was approved for the fire truck from the Dairyland Volunteer Fire Department, but this has not been included in the property taxes for some time. Therefore, general approval was given for Mike Metcalf & Mona Velebir to determine the amount of the potential special assessment based on the remaining balance and term of the loan, and they will also need to report their findings to Ryan Brennan by November 2026 for it to be included in this year’s tax roll preparations.
3) This year’s Cozy Corner Trails Booya will take place at McGraw Lake Tavern in March. However, parking for the event will NOT be permitted at the transfer station due to liability issues.
4) Vern Drake inquired if we are making use of the town’s tax-exempt status. Mona Velebir will look into registering it with Menards, as we conduct many purchases for the town through them. Vern also provided a document on the Town of Blaine’s snow-removal procedure from 2014, which Ryan Brennan will scan and post to the town website for general information.
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) Approval of opening up new town debit card for roads-maintenance supervisor purchases.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1) There will NOT be a Spring Primary in February. However, the Spring Election will take place on April 7th, 2026.
ADJOURNMENT: Josh Fornengo motioned to adjourn at 8:50 p.m. Bryan Holter seconded. Motion approved. Meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Ryan W. Brennan, Town Clerk
Signed and dated this 14th day of January, 2026
By: __________________________________________
Michael C. Metcalf, Chairman