Board meeting 7-12-2023

TOWN OF STEPHENSON MARINETTE COUNTY TOWN HALL

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

July 12, 2023

Chairman Kudick called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. He led everyone in the pledge of allegiance. Roll call showed Supervisors Belanger, Franzmeier, Rogers and Stradal, Treasurer Uhazie, Attorney Coggins, and Clerk Olson, in attendance along with 40 others.

Supervisor Rogers moved to adopt the agenda. Supervisor Stradal seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Minutes of the June 5, 2023 Board of Review, June 14, 2023 regular Board and the June 29, 2023 Special Board meetings were approved with a motion by Supervisor Stradal, second by Supervisor Belanger, and carried.

Treasurer Uhazie’s financial report showed the following balances as of June 30, 2023
Stephenson National Bank General Fund $ 61,874.64
Nicolet Bank Tax Money Market $ 3,594.52
LGIF #1 - Operating Account $ 111,187.91
LGIF #2 – 2% Account $ 50,824.29
LGIF #3 - Depreciation Account $1,339,978.60
LGIF #4 – Tax Account $ 510,336.97
LGIF #5 – ARPA Account $ 116,079.01
A motion was made by Supervisor Rogers to accept the Treasurer’s report, seconded by Supervisor Franzmeier, and carried.

Vouchers #51196 through #51237, payroll charges, and EFT payments were approved as presented with a motion by Supervisor Belanger, second by Supervisor Rogers, and carried.

Under correspondence, Clerk Olson stated we received a letter from the DNR concerning the filling of wetlands at Newton Lake, a check for a grant she applied for to be used for election envelopes, and letters received from TIE Lakes property owners concerning a nuisance and noise complaint. All were forwarded to Board members.

Department reports were given for Fire by Chief Jim Stradal, Canine by Mike Stueck, Public Works and Recycling by Superintendent of Public Works, Craig Baeten, and Supervisor Rogers for Water Safety Patrol.

Hugh Guy Land Surveying presented CSM #2023-8 for Jerome and Nora Swanson for 2 lots located in part of the NE ¼ of the SE ¼ of Sec 20, T32N, R20E in the Town of Stephenson, Marinette County, Wisconsin, with ingress and egress to Sikowski Lane. Motion to approve by Supervisor Stradal, second by Supervisor Belanger, and carried.

Jeff Lieuwen of Rob Kamps Land Surveying presented CSM #2023-9 for Frank and Kathleen Haeni for 1 lot located in part of the NE ¼ of the SW ¼ of Sec 13, T33N, R19E in the Town of Stephenson, Marinette County, Wisconsin, with ingress and egress to Simpson Lake Lane. Motion to approve by Supervisor Rogers, second by Supervisor Stradal, and carried.

There were quite a few property owners from Thunder, Island, and Eagle Lakes present to speak on issues they have contacted the Board about. A lengthy discussion continued among the property owners, Board, and Attorney Coggins. The property owners were concerned that their land value was decreasing because of a property owner having chickens, rabbits, and just a messy yard with garbage and an automobile that doesn’t run. They were also concerned that some of the animals did not have enough space or shade. Chairman Kudick stated the Board is aware of the circumstances there and the Code Enforcer has issued a letter to the party to clean up the property. It is hard to enforce a Nuisance ordinance because it is a matter of opinion. He stated there are covenants in place for the property owners to follow. The Town can’t enforce those covenants. He suggested they use those covenants and get the person to follow them. The Town has no zoning so they’re hands are tied. The spokes person for the property owners stated they can’t enforce the covenants. Chairman Kudick stated thn they have to take it to court. The Town can address the abandoned car and the garbage, by enforcing fines, but they cannot require them to remove the animals. Attorney Coggins informed the property owners that the Board is severely limited as to what they can do because there is no zoning. They can issue fines for the code violations but that will not solve the property owner’s problem. The code enforcer can’t require things to be removed, she can only give citations and have them fined. It sounds like the property owners want to have the animals and cages removed, along with the other things. If that is the case, you have covenants and if they are enforceable, a Circuit Court can order them to remove those things that are against the
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covenants. The property owners also addressed a couple of other properties that have a lot of junk collected on them, the boat landing being used as a campground, and the stoned pathway that has been put in place through the town property down to the beach, and wet land being filled with stone to get to the beach. Chairman Kudick stated that the town did not make the stone pathway and they will certainly look in to all those issues. The town can’t stop people from going down to the lake because it is public property. The wetland issues need to be addressed with the DNR. The property owners thanked the Board for allowing them to have this discussion. The Board thanked them for doing it respectfully.

Supervisor Belanger made a motion to give the employment applications to the Superintendent of Public Works and delegate to him the ability to interview and hire the applicant he so chooses. Supervisor Rogers offered a second. Motion carried.

Operators license were approved for Harry and Nancy Tischendorf, to expire June 30, 2025, with a motion by Supervisor Stradal, second by Supervisor Franzmeier, and carried.

A motion was made by Supervisor Belanger to have the Clerk correct the verbiage on pages 5 and 6 of Section 12 of the Public Works Employee Handbook to read that the employee chooses the insurance and not the Board. Supervisor Franzmeier seconded the motion. Carried.

Under Public Comments, Dave Bentzler stated he needed to talk to the Chairman after the meeting.

A motion to adjourn was made by Supervisor Stradal, second by Supervisor Franzmeier, and carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:01 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Elaine Olson, Clerk