Merle Musick

The council discussed various operational and administrative matters, including the purchase of new office equipment, software, and administrative tools. Key agenda items included the approval of police officer hiring and police contract negotiations, infrastructure maintenance such as sewer camera inspections and road paving, the management of municipal properties and blight reduction efforts, and community-related activities like park equipment upgrades, festival approvals, and municipal fee updates.

The meeting involved a reorganization session where new officials were sworn in, including a new mayor and a new third ward representative, Emily Seaman. Key personnel appointments were made for borough officials: Stacy Kman (secretary, manager, assistant treasurer), Amy Baker (treasurer), Gary Felovich (solicitor, though with discussion about his resignation timeline), Windmir Engineering Incorporated (engineer), Stacy Coffman (zoning officer and right to know officer), Merl Music (building official inspector), and Timothy Whit (zoning hearing board solicitor). The council also addressed the appointment of the Code Enforcement Officer, Frank Howard, amidst budgetary concerns regarding his proposed contract rate, ultimately appointing him temporarily until the February meeting to resolve the compensation matter. The initial proceedings included nominations and votes for Council President (Andy Pensky) and Vice President (Charity Coank).

The meeting was called to order, but due to the lack of a quorum (only two members present), formal motions could not be taken. The proceedings moved directly to the public comment period. Key discussion points included a resident raising concerns about a significant cluster of various cancers in the community, potentially linked to the local landfill, and requesting immediate public health action and water testing. Another resident inquired about the status of addressing a vacant, hazardous building that was turned over to an individual, noting its negative impact on adjacent businesses. Other topics included updates on the status of the engineer's report and other components required to finalize the auditor's report, the effective date for accepting letters of interest for a council seat vacancy following a member's resignation, and information regarding the upcoming change in the tax collector's billing process via outsourcing. There was also discussion regarding the establishment of a formal blight committee and joining a county organization for blight mitigation, as well as details on upcoming, no-cost training seminars for council members.

The meeting addressed several key administrative and financial matters. Old business included updates on the auditor's report, which is expected by the next council meeting, and confirmation from the Treasury regarding the allowable uses for remaining ARPA funds, totaling $59,090, designated for items including police department equipment, fencing for public safety, and operational facility needs like door repair. General government discussions involved the approval of a police lighting installation project, which will have zero cost to the borough due to material grants and an anonymous donation, awarded to Renar Electric LLC. Additionally, the council voted on reinvesting expiring Certificates of Deposit (CDs), ultimately approving a motion to combine funds and place them into a six-month CD at Somerset, anticipating potential future interest rate changes. Further agenda items included procedural steps for adopting an ordinance regarding Games of Chance and initial steps for updating the employee handbook, which some members suggested renaming to 'Code of Conduct' to focus on inter-employee relations rather than terms of employment.

The annual meeting included discussions on voting procedures, compliance with Wisconsin Open Meeting Law, and a review of the treasurer's report, which detailed the town's financial status, including beginning and ending balances, income, expenses, and available funds. The annual financial report was reviewed, and new agenda items were introduced, such as inquiries about the annual report's categorization, road grading and plowing decisions, Elm Road signage, the Skyline Project, meeting postings, mowing, changing meeting dates, and making minutes accessible.