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Town of Clinton Annual Meeting April 19, 2025
Annual meeting was called to order by Chairman Leis at 10:00 am at the Town Hall with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Verification of meeting posting: posted at Town Hall board, at Bloomingdale School, at K & K Cheese, on website, and in the Episcope.
Approve Minutes:
Darin Von Ruden made a motion to approve 2024 Annual Meeting Minutes as written and presented, 2nd by Dale Von Ruden; motion passed, no opposed.
Financial Report:
Scot Sanders made a motion to accept the financial report. 2nd by Alex Flores; motion passed, no opposed.
Future Budget and Financial Planning:
Tamsen Morgan asked what the expectation of the committee is? Chairman Leis explained that they would make suggestions to help with the current debt and repayment plans. Hopes that they will be ready with guidance by September for budget planning. If anyone else wants to participate, see Darin. So far 2 members on the Committee: Fred Brandt and Joyce Smalley. Tamsen said she would consider it.
New Business:
Darin Von Ruden explained the decision to hold the Treasurer’s check was because of her actions not signing 3 checks and the arm mower loan documents. He talked with Town’s Association lawyers and she must be paid for her duties and by law the check must be signed and given. The check is signed and ready.
Jordan Clark thought the budget needed to be amended, which was why she didn’t sign the check. Corey explained the board may amend the budget, but doesn’t have to. Bank of Cashton loan was on the budget. The doors and mower were not delivered when budget was made, so not on it. Doors were expected in 2024, but happened in 2025.
Alfred Blaha agrees, town always had surplus, Board spending regardless. He felt other roads should be done. Wanted to know why roads aren’t being taken care of. He also doesn’t like how people are treated.
Tamsen Morgan agrees with what Treasurer did. She thinks discussion should be before and not after things happen, that the Board should be more open and transparent on loans and costs, that needs to be communicated ahead of time, and that visual clearness would go a long way.
Lori Schmitz read from State Statue 66.06.07 (7) stating that no order may be issued by a town in excess of funds available or appropriated for the purpose for which the order is drawn, unless authorized by a resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the entire membership of the governing board. She stated that the budget should have been amended.
John LaDue said statues change and at one time the state provided training to clerks, a checklist of to do’s. Questioned how you pay what’s not in the budget? Budget is based on levy, levy approved by people. The budget should be amended. Clerks and Treasurers work for the people who elected them not the board.
John Chapiewsky asked Treasurer Clark what did she want to happen? Jan said the budget needed to be amended. That the checks she didn’t signed weren’t in the budget. Quoted WTA lawyer Carol Nawrocki that the Clerk must determine that there is money in the approved budget to pay claim. There were not enough funds in the budget to do so. The arm mower loan wasn’t in the budget, and the clerk wrote the check, so she didn’t sign it. She brought up a motion from the 2021 Annual meeting made by Wayne Leis, 2nd by Dale Von Ruden saying any equipment purchase or funds borrowed over $40,000 require a Special Town Meeting. Jan says the mower was talked about at the Budget Hearing, but a price wasn’t disclosed. She also talked about the fact that a Special Meeting was held on the 18th of March, posted the 16th to amend the budget that she wasn’t invited to, so she couldn’t sign the checks after the budget was amended. She mentioned about when the levy increase was turned down the board needed to amend the budget to live within the levy, but didn’t instead borrowed money.
Discussion then held with comments on the ease of emailing everyone notice of the Board Meeting. That posting at the Town Hall and Website didn’t notify the Board. Scot Sanders said the Treasurer knew about the meeting because at the meeting Supervisor Bill Stock said ‘Jan said to…’ about different items during the meeting. Darin Von Ruden also believed there was knowledge of meeting by the Treasurer as her car riding companion was there. Alex Flores stated that it’s very easy to email everyone and no excuse not to.
Lori Schmitz, in regard to the doors, quoted from State Statue 60.47 that a town cannot enter into a public contract with an estimated cost greater than $5,000 but not more than $25,000 without giving a class 1 notice. Furthermore, a town cannot enter into a public contract with a value exceeding $25,000 without advertising for proposals.. Darin Von Ruden stated that the doors had been on posted meeting agendas and requested for proposals had been sent out. Swenson Doors and La Crosse Doors had both quoted.
John LaDue wanted an official position from new Town Chair on budget and amending it, that board should become transparent. LaDue made the motion that the Board at the next meeting state it’s position on amending the Town budget in accordance with the town statures. 2nd Jordan Clark, motion passed, no opposed.
Trisha Miller hopes going forward we can become more of a community.
It was questioned why the Patrolman was working at the Election. He volunteered to work the Election for no pay. John La Due question who the Chief Inspectors were. Clerk Hemmersbach stated, Thea Von Ruden, Scot Sanders, and John La Due. John wondered why he wasn’t asked. Hemmersbach said because she had enough workers that time. He wondered who was on the list. Hemmersbach stated that from the list that was previously approved he was the only worker willing to help out. She had contacted Count Clerk Jerry Pedretti and he said in this case more workers can be found and used with the proper training. We are following all the rules set out by WEC. Mike Miller couldn’t understand not paying Scot for his time and made a motion to pay Scot Sanders for working the last election, 2nd by Alex Flores, motion passed, no opposed. Alfred Blaha felt Scot should work at his real job not the election. Hemmersbach stated Scot worked on his own time and that is allowed.
Darin Von Ruden said Corey Leis paid the extra $70.00 in interest to the Bank of Cashton that was caused by not getting the check to the bank when planned because the Treasurer didn’t sign it. Corey turned down being paid.
County Board Supervisor Frank Easterday said the recent Vernon County Board meeting concerning the Landfill was intense. The board voted 19-0 to continue operating the facility and that the DNR approve the 15-year expansion. He also talked about the dam situation. He said Mlsna dam is pretty much done. The rest of the dams are scheduled for removal. He said there is still a lot opposed to the dam removals.
2026 Annual Meeting:
Annual meeting date for 2026. Motion by Lori Schmitz to hold it the Tuesday the statue says we should with notice. 2nd Scot Sanders, motion passed, no opposed.
Motion to Adjourn:
Motion to adjourn by Scot Sanders, 2nd by John Chapiewsky; motion passed, no opposed. Meeting adjourned at 10:51 a.m.
2024 Annual Meeting Attendees:
Dawn R. Anderson, S1450 Knapp Valley Rd
Alfred Blaha, E11222 Cty Rd P
Fred Brandt, E10209 Cty Rd P
Ranelle Brandt, E10209 Cty Rd P
John Chapiewsky, S644 Clinton Ridge Rd
Jan Clark, E11140 County Road P
Jordan Clark, E11043 Cty Rd P
Paul Clark, S911 Dell Rd
Frank Easterday, S1018 Knapp Valley Rd
Doug Ewing, E11346 Willow Ln
Alex Flores, E10120 Kelbel Rd
Pandora Flores, E10120 Kelbel Rd
Lori Hemmersbach, E10206 Kelbel Road
John LaDue, S1688 Wang Rdg Rd
Corey Leis, E11016 Leis Road
Trisha Miller, S1878 Woods Ridge
Scott Mlsna, S262 Cty Rd D
Tamsen Morgan, S2442 Cty Rd S
Scot Sanders, E10206 Kelbel Road
Lori Schmitz, S1867 Woods Ridge
Steve Schmitz, S1687 Woods Ridge
Sandy Schweiger, E11240 Cty Rd P
Chade Von Ruden, E9496 Peaceful Valley Rd
Dale Von Ruden, S1331A Clinton Ridge Rd
Darin Von Ruden, S1299 Town Road 57
Thea Von Ruden, S1331A Clinton Ridge Rd
Lonnie Muller (Non-resident), Newspaper
Clerk Lori Hemmersbach:________________________________________ Date:_________________