TOWN OF BLAINE
TOWN BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, September 9th, 2026
Blaine Town Hall/Northland Community Center
I. OPENING
PRESENT: Chairman Mike Metcalf, Supervisor Josh Fornengo, Clerk Ryan Brennan, Treasurer Mona Velebir, Ken Rattei, Kevin & Kathy Tidemand, Ron Gallagher, Billy Fish
ABSENT: Supervisor Bryan Holter
CALL TO ORDER: Mike Metcalf called the September 9th, 2026 town board meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Josh Fornengo motioned to approve the August 12th, 2026 town board meeting minutes as submitted. Mike Metcalf seconded. Motion approved.
II. STANDING REPORTS
CLERK’S REPORT: Ryan Brennan contacted Raska Sewer Services to discuss ongoing issue regarding excessive trash being left in portable privy at Big McGraw Lake landing. Upon receiving confirmation from Mike Metcalf that the problem has been resolved, Ryan Brennan will contact them once more for a final cleaning in the fall season and will seek to reestablish regular cleanings in 2027. He also updated the town’s life/AD&D policy with The Standard Insurance Company, revising over 8 employee accounts in the process. Ryan Brennan worked with Jonathan Stengel from the WI DOR on corrections to the municipal financial report to address the large amount of loans acquired and paid for in 2025 and January 2026. Final adjustments will need to be made before the first budget meeting at the end of the month. He reached out to Northern Pest Management and arranged treatment for black flies at the NCC and the transfer station. They will also return to treat for Asian beetles at the transfer station in October. Ryan Brennan will soon be completing the annual audit for the town’s liability insurance & workers compensation policies with Rural Mutual Insurance Company. GoDaddy, the town’s website host, was unable to address the file upload size limitation due to the website not being in Wordpress format. Outside assistance will need to be hired in order to address the issue, and no large changes can nor will be made to the website until that is done. Coffee was spilled recently on the newly refurbished bench in the NCC hallway and was left unattended. However, Ryan Brennan addressed the issue by washing the cushion and lining and cleaning up the dried puddle left underneath the bench. This has not been the only time extraordinary messes or small acts of vandalism have occurred at the NCC, so he will be reaching out to the organizers of all recurring events to discuss the issue and stress the need for vigilance in maintaining cleanliness and order on the NCC property.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Mona Velebir reported on bank balances for Community Bank of Siren. Our net balances are currently $49,820.91 for our checking account and $184,512.80 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. Since GoDaddy will be unable to aid in increasing the file upload size limit on the town’s website, the subscription fee for their support services will soon be refunded. Josh Fornengo motioned to approve the expenditure & payroll summary as submitted. Mike Metcalf seconded. Motion approved.
SUPERVISORS’ REPORT: Josh Fornengo mentioned that additional bids for gravel crushing may be incoming. He has also been in contact with Burnett Dairy Cooperative for propane bids. Gravel crushing bids will be opened & reviewed during the October 14th town board meeting.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: Mike Metcalf said new road signs may need to be ordered and installed depending on the result of the ATV/UTV route ordinance approval later in the meeting. He also thanked Mona Velebir and her volunteers for their efforts in organizing the Veteran’s Memorial Spaghetti Fundraiser, and the cost of the memorial will now be covered from substantial donations. Donny McConkey suggested the location for the memorial’s placement should be more front-and-center at Hillcrest Cemetery, and a new flagpole will be put up nearby as well. Mike Metcalf also mentioned that since the state still hasn’t updated their systems, there will be no beaver report in the meantime. He will be attending a WTA conference later this month in Cable, WI, and he will also be completing the required 2026 WI DOT Paser Road Ratings for the town road. TRI-grant road work has begun on N. Markville Rd. and should be completed in September. A discussion took place regarding the possibility of implementing rejuvenating polymer chip & fog sealing on McGraw Lake Rd., S. Markville Rd., and Big McGraw Rd. in 2027, in addition to crack sealing on Lee Rd., Big Island Rd., and parts of St. Croix Trail, although this will depend on the availability of funds. Mike Metcalf received a bid from Hopkin’s Sand & Gravel for gravel crushing. He is also working with the DNR to secure funding for a new culvert for Dog Town Creek on Spring Brook Trail.
ROAD CONDITION REPORT: Mike Metcalf mentioned that Ken Rattei has received plenty of compliments from many townsfolk for the quality work he has done since August.
ROAD EQUIPMENT REPORT: Josh Fornengo said that although parts for the tractor have been installed, the lights are still malfunctioning and need to be repaired. Mike Metcalf recommended that we order additional grader blades beyond those initially ordered in case of emergency, and Ken Rattei mentioned that there still need to be additional parts ordered for the grader while discussing the means of purchasing them at a reasonable price. Ron Gallagher also provided guidance on the type of parts needed.
DAIRYLAND FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Billy Fish received an award from the Douglas County Fire Association for “Fire Department of the Year.” The fire department’s Open House will be on Saturday, September 19th, from noon to 4:00 p.m. with approximately 150 pounds of pork butts to be prepared for the event.
TRANSFER STATION REPORT: Ryan Brennan said that summer activity is beginning to wind down after the Labor Day weekend. Consistent garbage bin compacting by Ken Rattei is continuing to drive down operational costs.
III. TOWN BUSINESS
1) A formal vote took place regarding the approval of the ATV/UTV route ordinance, #TO2026-02, discussed during the public hearing held on Wednesday, August 12th, 2026: 2 in favor (Mike, Josh), 1 absent (Bryan). A majority in favor. Motion approved. Ryan Brennan will send a copy of the signed document to Susie Tollander at the Burnett County Government Center, the DNR Ranger Office, and the Sheriff’s Office.
2) Mike Metcalf reviewed a PowerPoint presentation on AI data centers and reviewed a rough draft of a resolution with attendees that would allow for a reasonable period of time to allow for proper research and deliberation. Input and discussion took place on the wording of the resolution, #TR2026-02. Mike Metcalf motioned to approve the updated draft of the resolution. Josh Fornengo seconded. Motion approved.
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) Review & approval of gravel crushing bids.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS: None
ADJOURNMENT: Mike Metcalf motioned to adjourn at 8:41 p.m. Josh Fornengo seconded. Motion approved. Meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Ryan W. Brennan, Town Clerk: __________________________________________
Submitted this 9th day of September, 2026
Subsequently approved,
Michael C. Metcalf, Town Chairman: __________________________________________
Approved this 14th day of October, 2026