TOWN OF BLAINE
TOWN BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, August 12th, 2026
Blaine Town Hall/Northland Community Center
I. OPENING
PRESENT: Chairman Mike Metcalf, Supervisor Josh Fornengo, Supervisor Bryan Holter (via conference call), Clerk Ryan Brennan, Treasurer Mona Velebir, Ken Rattei, Kevin & Kathy Tidemand, Mary Harrington, Jerry Metcalf, Matt Holter, Billy Fish
CALL TO ORDER: Mike Metcalf called the August 12th, 2026 town board meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Josh Fornengo motioned to approve the July 8th, 2026 town board meeting minutes as submitted. Mike Metcalf seconded. Motion approved.
II. STANDING REPORTS
CLERK’S REPORT: Ryan Brennan recently onboarded our new roads-maintenance supervisor Ken Rattei to our bookkeeping software and reviewed the payroll process with him. After looking into potentially large payments that could be made for the remainder of the year, he found that August tends to be the last month in which this occurs—particularly the town’s general insurance & workers compensation policies. The recent partisan primary had a great turnout of electors, and auditors from the WEC visited to review the building’s condition for disabled access. Improvements made by Ryan Brennan to the polling site over the course of the past year were received very well by the auditors, so they suggested only a few minor changes be made. The WI DOR recently got back to him on assistance requested for the annual municipal financial report, and final amendments to the report will take place over the next couple of months. He also addressed some basic renovation tasks at the NCC, including painting and sealing the top shelf of the hallway coat rack and the gymnasium’s fire extinguisher cabinet.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Mona Velebir reported on bank balances for Community Bank of Siren. Our net balances are currently $8,665.63 for our checking account and $184,199.91 for our money-market savings account. Josh Fornengo motioned to approve the treasurer’s report as submitted. Mike Metcalf seconded. Motion approved.
APPROVAL TO PAY EXPENDITURES: Ryan Brennan reviewed the expenditure & payroll summary of the prior month. He recently purchased advertisements for the upcoming Veteran’s Memorial Spaghetti Fundraiser & posted the event’s information on the town website. He also compensated his election staff promptly for their excellent work at the partisan primary from the previous day rather than waiting until September to do so. Josh Fornengo motioned to approve the expenditure & payroll summary as submitted. Mike Metcalf seconded. Motion approved.
SUPERVISORS’ REPORT: Josh Fornengo reviewed bids from Burnett Dairy Cooperative & Ferrelgas and is awaiting a bid from Superior Fuel. Bryan Holter said there is no additional beaver activity, but new reports may come in when the state updates their computer system.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: Mike Metcalf announced that the town has now hired Ken Rattei as the new roads-maintenance supervisor, and he started employment recently on August 3rd. Although there was concern that the town might have to make a large property tax settlement payment in August, it turns out that the town instead received a payment of $48,589.51. This is because the town pays settlement expenses in January & February since we receive property tax payments first. Once property tax payments are eventually paid to the county, the town receives settlement revenue in August. Former chairwoman Jessica Estridge finished up closing out the reporting process for the SLFRF grant received several years ago. Mike Metcalf thanked Ryan Brennan and his election staff for running an excellent partisan primary, and he also thanked Mona Velebir for purchasing new street name signs and filling out a revenue budget worksheet for tracking income received. Chase Fornengo has not reimbursed the town for legal expenses incurred from his permitting issue over the past year (currently at $5,016.85), which only pushes the financial burden upon the town and its tax-paying residents. Mike Metcalf then reviewed additional topics, such as new road & town border signs received which will soon be installed, updates to the N. Markville Road project, funds owed to Dairyland for work done and equipment purchased in the past year (currently at $2,477), and concerns regarding the discovery of flock camera installations.
ROAD CONDITION REPORT: Josh Fornengo said that grading has been delayed due to excessive dryness, but the tractor is ready for use when conditions become favorable.
ROAD EQUIPMENT REPORT: Josh Fornengo said the tractor is almost fixed, although its sensors still need more work to be done. Ken Rattei requested additional serrated edges be installed, and Matt Holter offered to coordinate their bulk purchase.
DAIRYLAND FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Billy Fish mentioned that their Open House will take place on September 19th, 2026.
TRANSFER STATION REPORT: Ryan Brennan would like to remind guests of the transfer station to please mind operating hours and dispose of household waste during those time only. Disposal outside of operating hours can impose additional costs on the town through incorrect practices and interfere with the daily operations of both the roads & transfer station staff. Should disposal need to take place for any special event outside of operating hours, please contact Ryan Brennan to make arrangements.
III. TOWN BUSINESS
1) Mary Harrington inquired about zoning guidelines in the event a possible AI data center should happen to be proposed within our town. Further community discussion on this issue will take place during the September town board meeting.
IV. CLOSING
REVIEW OF PROJECTS: Town board members reviewed current projects, assignments and follow-ups to town business items.
ITEMS FOR NEXT MONTH’S AGENDA:
1) Community discussion about AI data centers & zoning.
2) Approval of the revised ATV/UTV route ordinance.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1) The Veteran’s Memorial Fundraiser & Spaghetti Dinner will take place on Saturday, August 22nd, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT: Josh Fornengo motioned to adjourn at 8:29 p.m. Mike Metcalf seconded. Motion approved. Meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Ryan W. Brennan, Town Clerk: __________________________________________
Submitted this 12th day of August, 2026
Subsequently approved,
Michael C. Metcalf, Town Chairman: __________________________________________
Approved this 9th day of September, 2026