25 05 14 Regular Board Meeting Minutes

The May 14, 2025 Town of Oulu regular board meeting was called to order by Jonathan Hamilton, Chair at 6:45pm at the Town Hall.

Roll Call

Members present: Jon Hamilton, Adam Mattson, Duane Reijo, Diana Reijo, Clerk and Marla Lahti, treasurer. Town employee/s: Jeremy Gordon and Mike Davidson.

Approval of Agenda

Motion by Reijo, second by Mattson to approve the agenda as printed and posted. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

Consent Agenda

• Approve general fund vouchers 14985-15003 ACH 741-747

• Minutes of the March 12, 2025 Regular Board

Motion by Mattson, second by Reijo to approve the consent agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

Treasurer’s Report General/Park Donations – $226,280.32 Tax $ 2,755.28

Chairman’s Report

Park and Cemetery

• Water turned on at the park

• Toilets have been serviced

• Filled in washed out roads at Cemetery

• Picked up branches and some raking at Cemetery

Road Maintenance

• All main thoroughfares graded

• General grading ongoing

• Patching Blacktops has started- hauled 3 loads cold mix in to date, patched on Oulu Rock and Airport Road 

• Filled sand trap on Eastview Road

• Filled mud holes as needed on gravel roads

• Cut downed trees & branches as we find them in the ROW

• Swept bridge decks

• Pulled out beaver dams on Hautala Road

• Dug out end of plugged culvert on Wallin Road

• Fixed intersections on Pudas, Copper Hill, Dump Road

• Supervisor Reijo was able to make personal contact with United Truck Body and get firm quote. He was also able to stop at Link Bros to obtain a couple of quotes for a pickup. Report on both

• forthcoming later in meeting under appropriate agenda items

Recycling Center

• Hauled scrap iron trailer to Dump

• Hung new banners

Maintenance on equipment is ongoing

Community Groups as Pre-Registered

No community groups registered.

Plan Commission Report

Fred Strand reported on Marcus & Adrienne Halma’s rezoning request.

Rezoning application

• A 1.36-acre parcel in Tax Id parcel 26819 in the NESE Section 15; 373345 Muskeg Road.

• Rezone from Agriculture-1 to Industrial.

• Stated purpose: to establish a butcher shop and with possible future retail sales.

• Owners: Marcus and Adrienne Halma

Findings:

• Parcel is zoned Agriculture-1

• Existing Land Use: Agriculture.

• Future Land Use: Agriculture.

• The owners want to establish a butcher shop with possible future retail sales.

• County Zoning ordinances only allow butcher shops (also known as slaughter houses or abattoir) in Industrial zoning districts

• Butcher shops are a needed local service. There are only a few butcher shops in northern Wis-consin which requires residents to reserve a butchering time months in advance and to travel long distances for butchering services.

• Several items in the Town’s Comprehensive Plan supports this proposal, including:

• Development of small business

• Development of businesses that are complimentary for local agriculture producers and hobby farm-ers

• Expansion of local services

• Increase tax base

• Encourages farm production and maintenance of working agriculture lands

Plan Commission Recommendation: Approve the Zoning District change as supported by the Findings.

New Business

Gravel Bids

Three bids were received. Trusty Trucking $16.74/cy; Olson Bros $17.72/cy and South Shore Sand & Gravel $21.02cy. Motion by Reijo, second by Mattson to award the gravel bid to Trusty Trucking at $16.74cy. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

Marcus & Adrienne Halma’s Rezone Request

Marcus & Adrienne Halma’s Request to Rezone a 1.36 Acre Parcel from AG-1 to Industrial in the NESE Section 15, T48N-R9W, 73345 Muskeg Road. Motion by Mattson, second by Reijo to approve the Zoning District change from Ag-1 to Industrial as supported by the Findings and recommendation by the Plan Commission. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote

Salt Shed Inspection Report

The report indicated the material shed site is in compliance.

Culvert Asphalt Patching

Northwoods Paving submitted a bid for $10,919 for the patching of 5 culverts on Airport Road. Motion by Reijo, second by Mattson to accept Northwoods Paving bid of $10,919 for the patching of 5 culverts on Airport Road south of Co Hwy B. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

Airport Road Chip Sealing

Discussion held on chip sealing bids on Airport Road south of Co Hwy B. Motion by Reijo, second by Mattson to accept Fahrner Asphalt Sealers bid for single chip sealing of Airport Road, south of Co Hwy B to Eastview road $20,414 and Eastview Road to town line $19,992. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

Peterbilt Dump Box

Motion by Reijo, second by Mattson to accept United Truck Body Co., Inc.’s bid of $36,237 for the dump box for the Peterbilt truck. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

Pick-Up Truck Proposals

Supervisor Reijo mentioned he visited Benna Ford to inspect a 2021 F250 Super Crew, Super duty pickup truck.  It was advised to also seek quotes from Ashland ford Chrysler and Link Motors in Minong.

Board appointments

• Chair Hamilton made the following appointments:

• Highway Supervisor – Jonathan Hamilton & Duane Reijo

• Landfill/Recycling & Park – Adam Mattson

• Plan Commission (Board representative) – Adam Mattson

  
  

Park Projects

Supervisor Mattson presented a letter to the Board for approval to mail out to our residents soliciting input on what direction the Town should go with our park.

There are two options:

#1. The Town Board continues as is with routine maintenance of pavilion, upper ballfield, swings, existing structures and the walking trail. Board is still evaluating the cost of replacing the bath room facilities.

#2. Community members organize and work together to bring the Oulu Pioneer Memorial Park up to standards that we can all be proud of. This option is going to require a commitment from MANY individuals to help in whatever way they best can. A group is needed to develop a plan and play ground needs. A group is needed to research grants that may be available and then prepare those applications. Other groups will be needed to organize fund raising options. There is also the hands-on group to actually help with the physical work of this project.

They want the community to give thought to what they see the future of Oulu Pioneer Memorial Park looking like – the basic maintenance of facility or a renewed, updated family park.

Motion by Mattson, second by Reijo to mail out park letter to residents. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

Set Dates for Next Meeting/s

• May 19, 2025 – Special Board Meeting – 7am

• Annual Road Inspection – May 22, 2025 -7am

• June 4, 2025 – Oulu Park Project Meeting at the Park – 6:30pm

• June 6, 2025 – Open Books – 5-7pm

• June 11, 2025 – Regular Board Meeting 6:45pm. Bills will be reviewed at 6:30pm

• June 17, 2025 – Adjourned Board of Review – 5-7pm

Closed Session

Motion by Mattson, second by Reijo to adjourn to closed session at 7:47pm per Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1) (c) to discuss employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility. Roll call vote: Yes: Hamilton, Mattson, Reijo. No: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None. Motion carried by roll call vote.

Adjournment

Motion by Hamilton to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:32pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Diana Reijo, Clerk