26 04 21 Annual Meeting Minutes

The April 21, 2026 Town of Oulu annual meeting was called to order at 6:31 pm at the town hall by Jonathan Hamilton, Chairman.

The annual meeting notice and agenda was posted at the Town Hall and town website on April 3, 2026.

Chair Hamilton stated voting will be conducted by a show of hands.

Minutes Approval

Motion by Ken Rantala, second by Lee Pedersen to approve the minutes of the April 15, 2025 annual meeting and December 2, 2025 special meeting of the electors as presented. Yes: 9. No: None. Abstain: None. Motion carried by a show of hands.

Financial Report

Motion by Duane Reijo, second by Ken Rantala to dispense with the reading of the financial statement as everyone in attendance had a copy. Yes: 9 No: None. Abstain: None. Motion carried by a show of hands.

Discussion followed. Motion by Kim Hamilton, second by Sandy Rantala to accept the financial statement as presented. Yes: 9. No: None. Abstain: None. Motion carried by a show of hands.

Chairman’s Report

ROAD MAINTENANCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Road maintenance was the primary focus throughout the year:

Winter Operations: Activities included plowing, sanding critical areas, chasing drifts, and winging back ditches. Significant efforts were made in early 2025 to steam culverts and divert water during the spring melt. Weight restriction signs were also posted annually to protect roads during the thaw.

Grading and Gravel: Extensive grading took place from spring through autumn, covering all town roads including Airport, Bayfield Line, Eastview, and Range Line. Dozens of loads of gravel were applied to address mud holes and reinforce road bases.

Paving and Sealing: Major projects included chip sealing Airport Road and crack sealing sections of Airport Rd, South Oulu Rock Rd, and Eastview. The town saved approximately $10,000 by borrowing a kettle from the Town of Tripp for crack sealing.

Vegetation and Debris: Maintenance included boom mowing (completing up to three passes), cutting storm-damaged trees, and clearing overhanging branches in the right-of-way.

Airport Road Project: Engineering was completed in the fall of 2025. The Board voted to accept the construction bid from Sipsas Excavating and Olsen Brothers to complete the project. Construction will commence in the spring of 2026. Residents along the route were informed of the project timeline and mailbox protocol.

Culvert Replacement: The town removed, replaced and patched the 5 culverts on Airport Road prior to chipsealing.

EQUIPMENT AND SHOP MAINTENANCE

The town prioritized in-house repairs to reduce costs:

Major Repairs: Significant work included replacing a turbocharger on the end loader (saving $1,000+), rebuilding a dump truck exhaust system, and installing a steering gear box.

Upgrades: A new dump box was installed on the dump truck by United Truck Body, and purchased a 2022 Ford F-350 Pickup truck from Link Bros. in Minong

The town acquired “The CLUB" ditching excavator from the Town of Tripp. It is in the process of being repaired so it can be put to work this summer

Routine Service: Ongoing preventive maintenance—oil changes, filter replacements, and seasonal servicing—were performed on the grader, backhoe, dump trucks, and mowers.

PARK, CEMETERY, AND RECYCLING

Park/Cemetery: Activities included mowing, raking, and repairing storm damage, such as tipped toilets. Facilities were shut down during winter.

Recycling: Operations generally ran smoothly with no major issues. Scrap iron was periodically hauled to Ashland, generating several hundred dollars in revenue for the town.

ADMINISTRATION AND PLANNING

Grants and Funding: General Transportation Aids, are scheduled to increase through 2027.

Applications and supporting documents were submitted for the Oulu Pioneer Road culvert replacement grant through the DNR. (funding was denied in early 2026). We are still searching out resources to assist in cost sharing the removal and replacement of this culvert to improve road safety and fish habitat.

Intergovernmental Cooperation: Town Officials attended various Wisconsin Towns Association (WTA) meetings and workshops to stay informed on regional emergency services and funding opportunities like LRIP and ARIP.

What is in store for the future?

Parks: Supervisor Adam Mattson will continue to seek out funding for replacement of the playground equipment at the park

As part of the power-line/sub-station rebuilds, the Town was asked by the utility company to upgrade the park meter socket to accommodate new wiring the utility is installing as a result of the power line replacement project. During the estimating inspection, the pavilion wiring was found to not be up to code and was in fact, dangerous, and needed to be replaced. The Board voted to have this work done asap. Repairs will be completed in time for graduation parties and other summer activities.

As stated above we are continuing to pursue funding to replace the culvert on Oulu Pioneer Road. This is an on-going process with no definite date of completion. At the earliest, it would be done in 2027. It is possible the culvert crossing on Muskeg Road could be wrapped into this grant and both completed under the same application.

Pursuit of funding to complete the Oulu Rock Road reconstruction will commence after the town has completed the Airport Road reconstruction this summer and received reimbursement from the grant funding.

Town Depository

Motion by Lee Pedersen, second by Duane Reijo to designate Security State Bank as the town depository. Yes: 9. No: None. Abstain: None. Motion carried by a show of hands.

Audit Committee

Motion by Duane Reijo, second by Lee Pedersen to appoint Bonnie Rantala, Marjorie Lahti, Leanna Pudas, and Carol Kangas to the audit committee. Yes: 9. No: None. Abstain: None. Motion carried by a show of hands.

Set Next Year’s Annual Meeting Date

Motion by Lee Pedersen, second by Duane Reijo to set the 2027 annual meeting date for Tuesday, April 20, 2027. Yes: 9. No: None. Abstain: None. Motion carried by a show of hands.

Adjournment

Motion by Lee Pedersen to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 6:46pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Diana Reijo, Clerk

Note: Minutes posted at Oulu Hall and Town website on April 25, 2026.