August 17, 2026 Regular Town Board Meeting

Chairman Sotka called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

Sotka _p_      Burmek _p_      Hanson _p_      Wilson _p_

4. Approval of Agenda

Chairman Sotka made a motion to approve the agenda with moving the certified survey map up to next on the agenda. Seconded by Supervisor Burmek. Carried 3-0

5. Certified Survey Map for surveyor Thomas Mcguire

Supervisor Burmek said the Plan Commission review a CSM with surveyor Thomas McGuire to divide land for John Kaufman, Robert Kaufman, and Linda Kaufman containing 24.58 acres. The recommendation from the Plan Commission is to approve the CSM. Chairman Sotka made a motion to approve the CSM. Seconded by Supervisor Hanson. Carried 3-0.

6. Kelly Robinson – Managed School Forest Lands

Kelly Robinson, Crivitz School District Superintendent, spoke to the board and residents about the managed school forest lands located within the Town of Lake. The Fernwood property is the only property deeded to the Town of Lake, but the deed states it must be used for school forest purposes or the property will revert back to Marinette County. Crivitz School District is ready to begin the process of working with a forester to begin the logging process. In the past the monies raised from the timber sales has always gone to the Crivitz School District.

7. Public Input

A resident brought up concerns of the Bore ash disease and trees falling on powerlines. Chairman Sotka stated this concern has already been discussed by the board

8. Approve and correct meeting minutes from Regular Town Board Meeting July 13, 2026 & Special Town Board Meeting August 6, 2026

Supervisor Hanson made a motion to approve minutes for Regular Town Board Meeting July 13, 2026 and Special Town Board Meeting August 6, 2026. Seconded by Supervisor Burmek. Carried 3-0

9. Clerk-Treasurer’s Financial Report

F&M Checking had a beginning balance of $58,637.44, deposits of $212,636.92, withdrawals of $217,413.02, for an ending balance of $53,861.34. Fire Department Checking had a beginning balance of $60,771.85, withdrawals of $1,100.00, for an ending balance of $59,671.85. General Savings had a beginning balance of $513,643.76, deposits of $215,483.07, withdrawals of $213,275.97, for an ending balance of $515,850.86. Road Construction had a beginning balance of $251,433.22, deposits of $596.16, withdrawals of $156,253.61, for an ending balance of $95,775.77. Fire Department Savings had a beginning balance of $2,937.26, deposits of $7,049.21, for an ending balance of $9,986.47. Grant Funds had a beginning balance of $43.68, deposits of $0.14 for an ending balance of $43.82. Chairman Sotka made a motion to approve the financial report. Seconded by Supervisor Hanson. Carried 3-0.

10. Correspondence

An anonymous letter was received about property lines at Diamond Lake Campground. This has been addressed in past years and surveys completed. A letter and information were received from the United States Postal Service about the possible closing of the Porterfield Office. Currently the mail has been running through the Peshtigo Office for a few years. A letter was received from Marinette County of lands going to auction.

11. Reports

    a. Plan Commission Report

A CSM was review by the plan commission and the recommendation is to approve.

       b. Ordinance Committee Report

Supervisor Hanson said the board can go forward with trying to contract with a different company. She said Clerk Wilson has already been trying to obtain quotes.

       c. Public Works Report

Jeremy Gross gave the public works report. He ordered and installed fire numbers, mowed ditches, cut and chipped brush, replaced batteries in 201 and mower, cleaned up garbage by black bridge. More works completed included in the board’s packet.

       d. Fire Department Report

Jim Sanborn gave the fire department report. The department responded to a CO call, ditch fire, MABAS fire, and an appliance malfunction. The second annual Party and the Park fundraiser brought in $3,400. The department is currently exploring possibilities to move away from eDispatch due to functional issues.

12. Unfinished business

13. New business

    a. Certified Survey Map for surveyor Thomas Mcguire – Please see item #5 above

    b. Picnic License – Temporary Alcohol Beverage License – Marinette County Canine Partners

     

Marinette County Canine Partners has requested a temporary picnic license for their fundraising event to be held on Saturday, August 22, 2026. Supervisor Burmek made a motion to approve the picnic license for Marinette County Canine Partners. Seconded by Chairman Sotka. Carried 3-0.

       c. Operator Licenses

Applications for Operator Licenses were received from Brandon Guns, Allison Schoel, Jessica Andraschko, Michael Andraschko, and Sandra Beckerr, all to be used at Diamond Lake Campground. Chairman Sotka made a motion to approve operator licenses listed. Seconded by Supervisor Hanson. Carried 3-0

       d. Employee Handbook

Clerk Wilson informed the board that meeting minutes were found on some of the past revisions to the handbook. Supervisor Hanson suggested the board take more time to review the information and possibly consider having a special board meeting dealing with only the employee handbook. Chairman Sotka laid the item on the table

       e. Crivitz Rescue Squad Contract

Crivitz Rescue Squad has submitted their contract for rescue services for 2027. They have included updated prices of what the contracts would be in 2028 and 2029 as well. Chairman Sotka laid the item on the table until the regular monthly board meeting in September

       f. Rekeying Municipal Buildings

It has been years since the municipal buildings have been keyed, and some fire department members have expressed concerns. For safety purposes it would be advantageous of the board to rekey all municipal buildings. Supervisor Hanson made a motion to look into the cost of rekeying municipal buildings and adding two touch key pads with S&O Lock. The price should be brought back to the next meeting. Seconded by Supervisor Burmek. Carried 3-0

       g. Closed Session: Pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c) Considering compensation, or performance evaluation data for Public Works employees (full & part time), Clerk-Treasurer, Deputy Clerk, and Janitor. The Board may reconvene to open session to take any action.

Motion to enter into closed session at 6:49pm made by Chairman Sotka. Seconded by Supervisor Burmek. Roll call vote: Sotka _Y_, Burmek _Y_, Hanson _Y_. Yes 3, No 0, Abstain 0.

       h. Reconvene into Open Session and take any necessary public action as per Wis. Stats. 19.85(2)

The board reconvened into open session at 6:56 pm. Chairman Sotka made a motion that all town employees receive a 3% raise, except for the clerk will receive $1 per hour raise. This includes election workers, fire department officers (Chief, Assistant Chief, Treasurer), full and part-time public works employees and janitor. Seconded by Supervisor Burmek. Motion carried 2-0-1 with Supervisor Hanson abstaining.

14. Adjournment

Chairman Sotka made a motion to adjourn at 6:59 pm. Seconded by Supervisor Burmek. Carried