Town Meeting Minutes December 8, 2018

MONTHLY MEETING DECEMBER 8, 2018 The monthly meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Cedar Lake met at the Cedar Lake Town Hall in Mikana at 6:30 PM. Present was Ken Leners, Chairman, Kory Weiss and Tony Wolff, Supervisors, Maryhelen Drew, Clerk and Gladys Roux, Treasurer.  Also, present were 27 other persons. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance. The minutes were read from the previous monthly meeting.  These were approved as read by Ken with Tony seconding and all approved. Under public input, Ken mentioned that the DNR is updating the Red Cedar Lake Chain regarding Walleye Regulations.  Kathy Wolf also invited all ladies to the Cedar Lake Ladies evening at Kathy Leners’ residence on Dec.17th at 6PM. Next was the financial report from Gladys.  She balances with all bank accounts as well as the clerk.  The Buckthorn Account received a check from the DNR for a grant in the amount of $6,251.78. Ken continued to discuss finances.  It is recommended by the Board to send $100,000 to Barron County Hwy. for 2019’s roadwork.  Kory spoke about the replacement wing for one of the trucks. It won’t be available until Feb. 2019, so will happen in next budget period. Tony mentioned that the property tax bills have gone out and it looks like the Town portion of them went down.  Thank you to all who made this happen. Gladys mentioned that the Town received more lottery credit to apply to the total tax roll. She then discussed the ways which they could be paid. Kory then reported on the month’s past roadwork.  It is winter now, but we have not had any major storms, couple of icing issues.  Kory then introduced Pat Netz who was hired to assist Scott Walters with the roads. He began on Nov. 26th and has been doing training.  If you see the mower going out, he is able to work on cutting brush as long as the snow holds off. Kory would like Scott to do an inventory of the fire signs, so we can order what is needed for spring installation.  Scott wanted to make everyone aware that it is illegal to plow snow across the town roads. This is a law and will be posted on the website. Kory and Scott need to make maps for snow plowing roads in priority order.  The discussion of the letter enclosed with the taxes followed. The next item was the report on the Birchwood Four Corners Emergency Services. The meeting will be this Thursday, so there is no new report from them. The Service Award Program has been sent to Don (Bumper) Bergstrom & Ken George. The Town will send this off around Feb.1, 2019. As there was no old business, the Board then discussed the application for a Combination Liquor / Beer license submitted by Cedar Lake Pub & Grill, LLC, agent, Cynthia Saxinger.  The license has been surrendered by previous owner, Larry Quillen by letter. Ken made a motion to approve the surrender and issue the license to Cedar Lake Pub & Grill, LLC. Kory seconded and all approved. License will be ready the next day, Tuesday. Next on the agenda was a request to borrow tables from the Town Hall by Josh Saxinger for January 19, 2019 for a wedding. They will be returned the following Monday.  The Board approved this request. The next item on the agenda was a report from Dick Ballou regarding the Buckthorn Project.  The project has been going since 2012 and has about 200 landowners who participate in the program.  Most of these are out of our town, some as far as Sheboygan. Dick has completed the second part of the project and received grant monies from the DNR in the amount of $6,215.78. The whole project is all volunteers.  Ken asked how many days per week Dick worked on this project. Dick really has no idea. Next on the agenda, Charles Reichow, 2830 27 7/8 Ave., Rice Lake requesting a Tourist Rooming House permit.  Ken asked if he had talked with the Loch Lomond Beach Club? Yes. Kory feels that as long as they follow the county regulations, the Town Board has no objections. Doug Fischer, Pres. Of Loch Lomond Beach Club strongly objects to these tourist rooming houses.  Kory mentioned that the Town receives no funds from these houses. There followed a discussion. Dick Ballou also brought up the concern which is, it could be a problem for the neighbors as well. There followed a discussion. These homes are supposed to be inspected by the county to see that the regulations are followed. It appears the county does not have the manpower to implement.  This would be something for County Supervisor Louie Okey to investigate on the county level for us, as suggested by JB Bolles. There followed much discussion. Next the Board needs to set the date for the caucus.  It will be on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 10 AM at the Cedar Lake Town Hall. Ken explained the procedure. Ken George and John Brunclik are in charge of this meeting. Tony then spoke about the future of the clerk and treasurer. Tony has no preference, but would like to get the discussion started regarding appointing clerk and/or treasurer rather than elected.  Also discussed combining the positions. The Town Board would then be able to determine the abilities needed for the position. Ken said that they are not asking for a decision tonight but would like people to discuss and give thoughts going forward.  It would need to go to a non-binding referendum. Kory said that the Town of Doyle appointed a person, because they were unable to find a person to run for that position. Tony said if the job would combine, the Board would need to pass a resolution to change from an elected position(s) to an appointed position(s). There followed much discussion regarding these thoughts. There will be more discussion going forward. The next item on the agenda was the discussion of the weapons from the Four Corners Police Dept. The weapons are secured at the Barron Co. Sheriff’s Dept. Ken has touched base with Chris Fitzgerald and asked if the Sheriff’s Dept. would accept the weapons as a donation? Kory asked, donating not selling? The value of these items is approximately $2,800.  The Town will still have benefit from donating them to the Sheriff’s Dept. Ken made the motion to donate the three weapons to the Barron Co. Sheriff’s Dept. This was seconded and all approved. Tony would like to set up a google apps training in January for the whole board at DCS in Rice Lake.  All members approved. Tony made the motion to pay the bills and adjourn the meeting.  This was seconded by Kory and approved by all. (8:00 PM)]]>