Town of Bayview

September 9, 2025

Meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chair Don Jenicek.

Roll Call:  Chair Don Jenicek, present; Supervisor Mike Garnich, present; Supervisor Bill Bodin, present; Clerk Kim Suske, present; Treasurer Kelly Warren, present.

Others in attendance:  Ella Cross, Kimberly Bouchard, Cary Bouchard.

Approval of Town Board Meeting Minutes from 08/12/2025:  Motion made by Mike Garnich to approve as written; seconded by Bill Bodin.  Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report by Kelly Warren:  Checking $81,099.22; Equipment $5791.19; Room Tax $12,182.78; Contingency Fund $ 24,595.57; and Tax Levy Savings $44,986.10.

Citizen’s Concerns and Comments: 

Kimberly and Cary Bouchard brought up their concerns about people trespassing along their road—N. Houghton Point Road—and onto their property line.  State that hundreds of people are going down the railroad grade on bikes and that it is a safety issue and they are worried about hitting someone with their car.  There is no sign on south end saying “no bikes.”  Don Jenicek explained that due to the lawsuit the Town can’t put up any posts or signs per judge’s order.  Mike Yonan made a “no trespassing” sign that can be posted on the landowner’s property.  Cary brought up the idea of a Town constable—there is no oversight, dogs are off leash, cars are parked along road where it is posted “no parking.”  A constable is a State certified police officer.  Town will discuss having an ambassador again as that helped in the past.  The Bouchard family would like to adopt Houghton Falls Road for litter cleanup.  This needs to go through WI DOT.  Will discuss next month.

Ella Cross was asking how far down Bodin Road Norvado will go.  At this time Norvado will not be going all the way to the Cross property but she can fill out their online survey so perhaps Norvado will provide service farther along the road in the future.

Town Hall paint and repairs—Discussion and possible action: 

We do not yet have any estimates for re-siding the building.  Could cost $25,000 – $30,000 and we may need to borrow money for it.

Want to finish the basement this year but no one is available—contractors are booked out a couple of years.

We need better water at the hall.

Room Tax Ordinance update—Discussion and possible action:  John Carlson’s letter to short-term rental owners who are operating without a permit has not yet been sent out.

We want to add wording to the existing Accommodations Tax Ordinance, which was revised 11/12/2024 to add “including online 3^rd party rental platforms like Airbnb or VRBO and other entities” to Sec. 0-0-2(a).  Clerk will inquire with WTA about whether this needs to be published as it does not change the forfeiture.  If necessary, we will draft a resolution in October and publish it, then adopt in November.

Houghton Falls Nature Preserve (HFNP) updates:  No updates from the courts.

HFNP trail project supplies—Discussion and possible action:  The preserve will be closed this weekend for trail work.  A trail is too close to the edge and will be moved.  Trail group needs lumber for railings and new boardwalks; we have a pile of split rail fence leftovers to contribute, also need a post hole digger and a couple of yards of gravel.  Motion made by Bill Bodin to approve necessary materials and incur expenses not to exceed $1000 from room tax account for purposes of trail work this weekend; seconded by Mike Garnich.  All in favor, motion carried.

 

Internet and cameras at HFNP parking lot—  Discussion and possible action:  Board reviewed the quote from Norvado.  We’ll have wired cameras so we won’t need the monthly $29.99 wifi so Clerk will get a new quote from Norvado.  Motion made by Mike Garnich to approve the Norvado quote ($109.99 monthly/no connection charge with 60-month agreement) for internet for HFNP minus the wifi charge; seconded by Bill Bodin.  All in favor, motion carried.  Money will come out of room tax account.

Norvado request—Internet for the Finn Settlement—Discussion and possible action:  Joe Russo is asking for the support of the Town to get internet and would like the Town to write a letter.  The Town of Bayview wants all residents in our Town to have access to high-speed internet.  If residents live in an area that Norvado is not currently reaching, we encourage them to go online to the Norvado website to enter their address and indicate that they would like their residence included in any future Norvado expansions. 

Roads Report:  Finished rebuilding one plow and starting other; graded and dragged roads; need to dig for conduit for phone and internet over to the shop; Norvado went through a culvert and they’ll need to replace it.

Begin discussions regarding 2026 budget:  Clerk would like to begin a process to transition our budget process to align with WI DOR Form CT as that form is taking 20+ hours to complete every year.  Board is supportive of this.  Clerk also let Board know that Quickbooks will be ending support for their desktop version, which we use, and we may need to transition to their online version.  Don Jenicek asking about taking out a loan and putting it on the levy—is there a loan there now?  Clerk will figure this out.  Increasing the levy would have to be approved by the Town residents.  Clerk will get the information about how to do this as we don’t want to lose any Shared Revenue like what happened a few years back.  Fire/EMS—we would like the City of Washburn to put limits on what they can spend.  They purchased a new fire truck and over the course of 20 years this will cost our Town $360,000.  Next meeting is September 30 at 10 a.m.  Clerk will post.

Board Comments:  Mike Garnich is asking if it is worthwhile to attend WTA Bayfield County unit meetings which take place in the Town of Pilsen.

Correspondence:

Clerk shared letter from Bayfield County Planning and Zoning Dept. with information about the upcoming Board of Adjustment meeting regarding the Alm’s variance request.

Clerk shared land use permit application for Todd and Jamie Vernon for a modification to their residence on Friendly Valley Road.

Payment of Bills:  Motion made by Bill Bodin to approve payment of Town bills from August 13, 2025 to September 9, 2025 in the amount of $17,479.10; seconded by Don Jenicek.  Motion carried.

Set Road Tour date:  Road tour date set for Tuesday, October 14 beginning at 8 a.m. at the Town Hall.  Clerk will post.

Next Town of Bayview Regular Board meeting is set for October 14, 2025, at 6 p.m. 

Moton to adjourn was made by Mike Garnich; seconded by Bill Bodin.  Meeting adjourned at 7:54 p.m.

 

 

Submitted by                                                                                                     Approved 10/14/2025

Kim Suske, Clerk

Vol. 17 page 11