Eric Cates

The board reviewed the treasurer's financial report, addressed public inquiries regarding property upkeep, and discussed the absence of a Plan Commission report. Training certification requirements for the Board of Review were addressed. A temporary liquor license for a local restaurant event was approved. The board reviewed an annual report for the local sanitary district, which highlighted achievements in infrastructure maintenance and phosphorous emission reductions. Further topics included road maintenance projects, the posting of bid solicitations, plans for bridge replacement, and the status of various municipal reports and planning updates. Finally, the board scheduled public meetings, adjusted the date for the following monthly meeting, reviewed official correspondence, and authorized the payment of invoices.

The board approved a resolution authorizing the use of electronic payment methods for recurring town expenses. Additionally, the board authorized the continued monthly disbursement of funds for loan payments to Peoples Community Bank and approved the purchase of a dump-bed pickup truck within the allocated budget.

The board reviewed the treasurer's financial report, discussed tax settlement status, and approved a building siting request for a hoophouse. A proposal for a room tax and tourism district was presented, with public input received from local business owners. The board voted to disburse trust funds to the non-profit managing the Hillside Cemetery. Updates were provided on sexton services, road repair bid plans, equipment maintenance, bridge replacement grants, and cemetery management. Additionally, the board discussed insurance policy updates, filed an annual hazardous chemical report, and reviewed various correspondence before approving invoices for payment.

The board meeting included the approval of the Treasurer's Report, which summarized the financial status through January 31 and presented a comparison budget for the new year. Key discussions involved the status of tax settlements, with collected taxes reaching 64.79% through the February grace period. The board approved a request from David Hopey for a building siting permit to construct a hoophouse connected to a root cellar for year-round vegetable growth, following a positive recommendation from the Plan Commission. The Plan Commission is also revising comments on the Comprehensive Plan. Discussions regarding tourism focused on a potential Room Tax and Tourism District for the greater River Valley Area, where collected taxes would be shared between the district for marketing and the Town for essential needs; this was met with opposition from local accommodation owners fearing increased costs, but supported by others looking to boost off-season commerce. The board approved the disbursement of the Hillside Cemetery Trust funds and accrued interest to Unity Chapel, Inc., as Unity Chapel now manages the cemetery. The Wyoming Cemetery sexton confirmed his continuation for the year. Road work planning included soliciting bids for road repair, noting the repair of the large plow truck and the usefulness of the new pickup. The replacement of the Lakeview Road Bridge is anticipated for Summer 2026, pending final details, and an application for the Sneed Creek Road bridge replacement grant is forthcoming. Finally, the board discussed town insurance policies, confirmed the filing of the Tier II chemical inventory report, handled correspondence, and approved outstanding invoices.

The agenda for the monthly board meeting includes review of the January 2026 Board Meeting minutes and the Treasurer's Report, along with the Tax Settlement as of January 31, 2026, covering Fire and Ambulance payments and PILTs. Discussions include a building siting request from David Hopey, reports from the Plan Commission and Tourism committee, and disbursement of funds for Hillside Cemetery. Key operational discussions focus on town road work, including bid solicitation, maintenance reports, sign replacement action, and a bridge replacement project utilizing a Local Small Structures Improvement Program grant. The Board will also discuss TofW Insurance Policy Coverage and the Tier II 2025 Emergency and Hazardous Chemical Inventory Annual Report.