April 12, 2021
PORT WING TOWN BOARD MEETING MINUTES

PW Town Meeting Minutes 04-12-21

Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm, by Chairman, Russell Bailey. Present were Russell Bailey, Ken Bodeen, Gary Williams, Marge Ogren, Pam Holt, Nora Tribys, Brett Bodeen, DuWayne Zupke and Troy Kavajecz.

Motion was made to accept the minutes as presented by Gary, second by Ken. Motion was made by Ken to accept the treasurer’s report with a second by Gary.

Open Gravel Bids: Sipsas Excavating $18.49/yd. Southshore Sand & Gravel $26.05/yd. Trusty Trucking $18.68/yd. Olson Bros $18.68/yd. Motion made by Gary to delay decision on which bid(s) to accept. Russell will get references and decision will be made at Annual Meeting on April 20, 2021. Second by Ken.

Alcohol Licenses Posted: Motion to accept applications from the Port, the South Shore Bar and Johnson’s Store made by Ken. Second by Gary.

Citizen’s Input – Mark Johnson spoke about the condition of the town buildings and encourages the town board to look at the properties and make improvements. He mentioned this should be a part of the town’s long-range plan. He specifically mentioned the salt shed building and the long white garage the town crew uses for the pick-up. He suggested that he could purchase the garage and the town could use the funds to make improvements on the other town buildings. Russell mentioned that Mark had agreed with the town board when Dwight Johnson was the chairman, the he (Mark) would trade the use the town’s electricity when Mark was renovating the old Co-op building for putting a new roof on the salt shed. Town Board agrees that the Town Hall needs a lot of work and needs to be painted.

ON GOING BUSINESS:

Kinney Valley Road Bridge Update – Ken reported that the project will be delayed until Spring 2022. The DNR will be doing a plant survey this summer and make recommendations. The engineer (Ayers) will be assisting marking off the site boundaries.

Road repair between bridges on Washington Ave. Muskrats still a problem. It does not pay to fix the road until the muskrats are no longer a problem. Gary made a motion to hire Richie Hogfeldt to trap for $20/muskrat. Second by Ken.

Sewer Pond Project – Students working with Beth Hoagland on creating an informational sign.

Non-taxed parcel on 5th St. Ted Morrison is looking into getting the back taxes refunded.

Russell spoke with Paul Johanik from Bayfield County concerning the two culverts on White Birch Road. The liners did not go in last fall. Paul stated they will do it as soon as the ground dries up.

NEW BUSINESS:

Cemetery Account – Funds are declining. This will need to be addressed in next year’s budget. We also need to make sure Bob Thompson is aware of the boundary stakes.

Bird City – Town’s application was approved. LeeAnn Hess paid for the application fees.

Ambulance service contract was signed with the Town of Clover. Our fee is based on the assessed value of the town.

Loggers – Town received notice from Bayfield County of intent to cut timber products from Jonathan & Amanda Lightner.

COVID Stimulus for infrastructure – we will look at the need for sewer and water maintenance and upgrades.

Fire Department replaced two trucks which were purchased out of the department’s reserve fund. Russell will go to the next Fire Department meeting to discuss selling the old trucks. Value of trucks will need to be determined for the insurance company.

Bayfield County will be holding a zoning committee meeting on April 15, 2021 to discuss a request to take water from an artesian well in Herbster to be resold as bottled water. Town Board stated there will be no official opinion from the town board.

Russell spoke with Ben Dufford from the Bayfield County Land and Water Conservation Dept concerning Flag River Road. He said it is possible to work off the original job for permitting.

Norvado – the heavy cable will be removed from the fisheries landing by the dry hydrant.

School Ball Diamond/Fish Boil Club – Ryan, the athletic director at the school will be getting signs stating No Alcohol and No Smoking. They have also been asked to make sure they clean up after events and take garbage with them.

Bayfield County Health Dept – Russell called to see if the Health & Recreational Grants will be available this year. He is waiting to hear back.

Marge Ogren will be in charge of scheduling events at the Town Hall. Gary made a motion to pay Marge $50/month for this service. Second by Ken

Zoning requests: Building permit was requested on a parcel on Old 13 which is currently zoned forestry. Owner was instructed to go to the county first.

Troy reported on recent activities of the Town Crew: A new motor was replaced at the Sewer Plant. There were frayed and burned wires which have been fixed. The vault wiring/control are very damp and a dehumidifier has been ordered. One valve not working properly and had to order a high impact gun to get it fixed. Roads are in bad shape – waiting for gravel to begin repairs. Doing maintenance on equipment. Docks need to go in. Resident on 5th street complained about water in their basement – told them it is not town’s responsibility and to hire a plumber. Richie reported that the culvert is plugged by the church and was worried that water may be getting into the basement. Touve Road will be repaired with millings once the road weight limits are off.

Annual Meeting is April 20, 2021 at 7pm

Next meeting set for Monday, May 10, 2021 at 7pm. Meeting adjourned by Ken with a second by Gary.

Submitted by Pam Lawrenz Holt, Deputy Town Clerk