TOWN OF BLAINE
TOWN BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, October 14th, 2026
Blaine Town Hall/Northland Community Center
(PENDING TOWN BOARD APPROVAL)
I. OPENING
PRESENT: Chairman Mike Metcalf, Supervisor Josh Fornengo, Supervisor Bryan Holter (via conference call), Clerk Ryan Brennan, Ken Rattei, Randy Shimanski, Kevin & Kathy Tidemand, Ron Gallagher, Dan Sear, Matt Holter, Billy Fish
ABSENT: Treasurer Mona Velebir
CALL TO ORDER: Mike Metcalf called the October 14th, 2026 town board meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mike Metcalf motioned to approve the September 9th, 2026 town board meeting minutes as submitted. Josh Fornengo seconded. Motion approved.
II. STANDING REPORTS (SLIM AGENDA)
APPROVAL TO PAY EXPENDITURES: Ryan Brennan reviewed the expenditure & payroll summary of the prior month. Josh Fornengo motioned to approve the expenditure & payroll summary as submitted. Mike Metcalf seconded. Motion approved.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: Mike Metcalf updated the town’s 2026 WISLR road rating requirements, downgrading multiple town roads to indicate those in the most need for repair. He will be discussing future plans for road repair in great detail at the November 11th budget meeting. He will also be looking to grants and low-interest-rate loans for a new town garage from the USDA, WI Community Development Block, & LRIP. Monarch Paving Company has recently completed work on N. Markville Rd. The town pickup truck will need to have flashing lights installed, and new ATV/UTV signs will also need to be ordered. Mike Metcalf will share information gleaned from the recent WTA Fall Workshop at the November town board meeting. Town board members will be meeting soon to discuss final updates to the FY 2027 budget, and Mike Metcalf reviewed posting requirements for Ryan Brennan to meet in advance of the official budget hearing.
III. TOWN BUSINESS
1) County Board Supervisor Randy Shimanski discussed the county board reduction referendum question on the upcoming general election ballot with attendees. Were it to be successful, the number of county board members would be reduced from 21 to 15. The redrawing of districts would become necessary as a result & create an excessive amount of work that would already be done during the 2028 & 2030 survey. Reducing the number of members would create larger districts that would potentially overwhelm current county board members. Contesting of redrawn districts would also result in massive legal costs to the county, ranging from $100,000 or more. Therefore, Randy Shimanski asked attendees to vote against the referendum question until more work is done to assess the effect of such a reduction in county board members.
2) The only bid received for gravel crushing was submitted by Hopkin’s Sand & Gravel for $72,250 upon completion of respective projects. The Town of Dairyland also accepted a bid for their town submitted by Hopkin’s Sand & Gravel. Mike Metcalf motioned to accept the bid from Hopkin’s Sand & Gravel. 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) The FY 2027 budget hearing will take place on Wednesday, November 11th, 2026 at 6:00 p.m., just before the town board meeting at 7:00 p.m.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1) The General Election will take place on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT: Mike Metcalf motioned to adjourn at 7:35 p.m. Josh Fornengo seconded. Motion approved. Meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Ryan W. Brennan, Town Clerk: __________________________________________
Submitted this 14th day of October, 2026
Subsequently approved,
Michael C. Metcalf, Town Chairman: __________________________________________
Approved this 11th day of November, 2026