Minutes July 14, 2026

Town of Lakeside, Douglas County, Wisconsin
Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes July 14, 2026 – 6:30 p.m.

1. Call to Order
Chairperson Gary Peterson called the regular Town Board meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.

2. Roll Call: Present: Gary Peterson (Chairperson), Mary Peterson (Supervisor), Gerald Tutor (Supervisor), Jon Winter (Clerk), Joanne O’Hara (Treasurer).

3. Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes: The Board reviewed the minutes of the June 9, 2026 Regular Town Board Meeting. Motion by Supervisor Gerald Tutor, seconded by Supervisor Mary Peterson, to approve the June 9, 2026 Regular Town Board Meeting minutes. Motion carried.

4. Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Joanne O’Hara presented the monthly financial report.
Checking $45,810.67, Savings: $59,486.20, Total Checking/Savings: $105,296.87,
Other Money Market Accounts: $308,482.80
Motion by Supervisor Gerald Tutor, seconded by Supervisor Mary Peterson, to approve the Treasurer’s Report. Motion carried.

5. Confirmation of Previous Month’s Bills Checks 25420 to 25430 totaling $10,814.81
Motion by Chairperson Gary Peterson, seconded by Supervisor Gerald Tutor to approve the previous month’s bills. Motion carried.

6. Current Bills for Payment Checks 25431 to 25453 totaling $19,674.17 were presented for payment. Motion by Chairperson Gary Peterson, seconded by Supervisor Gerald Tutor to approve payment of the current bills. Motion carried.

7. Correspondence
Correspondence included:
Wetland correspondence received from the State of Wisconsin.
Douglas County Household Hazardous Waste Collection scheduled for August 5, 2026.
Additional zoning correspondence regarding the proposed cellular tower.

Brief Public Comment
Residents inquired about using the Town pavilion for a private gathering.
The Board discussed the condition of the playground equipment, liability concerns, and the storage of building materials beneath the pavilion. Board consensus was to postpone allowing private use of the pavilion until next year after improvements to the playground and pavilion area have been completed. The Board also discussed exploring grants or donated playground equipment.

8. County Supervisor Report

Chairperson Peterson summarized County Supervisor Scott Luostari’s written report.
Discussion centered on recycling contamination charges assessed by Waste Management. It was noted Douglas County is responsible for these charges, and the Town will pursue reimbursement for amounts previously paid. The written County Supervisor report was received and attached to the meeting record.

9. Town Board Report
No additional report.

10. Fire Department and First Responders
Fire Chief Nova Nordrum reported:
The department has obsolete SCBA equipment, turnout gear, and related equipment that cannot legally be sold in the United States.
The department requested permission to donate the obsolete equipment to organizations serving other countries, provided there is no cost to the Town.
The Board agreed with the proposed donation.
Water intrusion was observed in the fire hall following recent rainfall.
Continued issues were reported with overhead garage doors opening unexpectedly. Discussion included changing door opener codes and improving emergency manual operation.

11. Town Employees and Roads
Road Operator Mark Saari reported:
Most mowing has been completed throughout the Town.
Routine road maintenance continues as weather permits.

12. Building Permits and Zoning Issues

No building permits or zoning issues were discussed under this agenda item. Cell Tower will be discussed under agenda item 16.

Old Business

13. Town Audit
The audit remains in progress.
The auditors questioned the need for the Town’s multiple money market accounts. Following discussion, the Board agreed the number of accounts should be reduced where practical while maintaining any accounts required by law.
The Chairperson and Clerk will verify whether the Equipment Fund must remain as a separate account under State requirements.
Motion by Supervisor Tutor, seconded by Chairperson Peterson, directing the Treasurer to consolidate Town accounts where appropriate while maintaining any accounts required by law. Motion carried.

14. Building Roof, Signs, and Paint
Chairperson Peterson reported:

Remaining roof punch-list items include replacing several damaged roofing panels and installing the remaining roof items. New Town signs and painting exterior items at the hall were discussed. Plans were discussed for a concrete widening of the entrance sidewalk and improvements to the entrance. Multiple bids will be obtained for the concrete work. The official posting board will be temporarily relocated during construction. The Board discussed purchasing “No Camping” signs. Consensus was to purchase two signs and keep one as a spare.

15. Beaver Control Program Update
Discussion continued regarding the USDA Beaver Control Program.
Several property owner addresses and permissions are still needed. Due to the lateness of the season, the Board agreed it will likely be more practical to proceed with the program beginning in spring 2027 after obtaining the necessary permissions.

New Business

16. Zoning for Cell Tower
The Board reviewed the proposed Verizon cellular tower project on Poplar River Road.
Discussion included: Road access requirements. Culvert permit requirements. Restoration of any damage to Town roads caused during construction. Coordination with the Town Road Operator before construction begins.
Motion to approve the proposed Verizon cellular tower subject to obtaining the required Town driveway permit, culvert permit, and restoring Town roads to their original or better condition following construction. By Chairperson Gary Peterson, seconded by Supervisor Gerald Tutor, Motion carried.

Additional item not on the agenda
Fuel Account Treasurer O’Hara reported additional information regarding establishing a fuel charge account for Town purchases. Discussion continued regarding obtaining an account with the Poplar fuel station. Additional follow-up will occur.

Future Business
The August Regular Town Board Meeting was rescheduled because of the August 11, 2026 Election.
Motion By Chairperson Gary Peterson, seconded by Supervisor Gerald Tutor, to hold the next Regular Town Board Meeting on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. Motion carried.

Adjournment
Motion to adjourn by Supervisor Gerald Tutor, seconded by Chairperson Gary Peterson. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:10 pm.

Next Regular Town Board Meeting Wednesday, August 12, 2026 – 6:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, August 3rd 2026
Jon Winter
Town Clerk

Public Attendance
Scott Meteraud Nova Nordrum Todd Bitner
Michelle Mattson Nick Mattson Luke Schulz
Mark Saari Tom Karas Vicki Karas
Kaley kagas (unable to read writing) Kevin O’Hara
Dan Learn