Minutes – Town of Bell Board Meeting – May 10, 2022
TOWN OF BELL BOARD MEETING
Tuesday, May 10, 2022
at the Community Center
7:00 p.m.
The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. Board members present were Roger Lindgren,
James Kaseno, Jackie Eid, Allen Hahn, Gordon Anderson, and MaryBeth Tillmans. Janice Olson
was absent. The meeting was available with Zoom.
-Board Meeting Minutes-
- Eid made a motion to approve the minutes and A. Hahn 2nd the motion.
Unanimous decision. Approved.
-Treasurer’s Report –J. Eid made a motion to approve the report and G. Anderson 2nd
the motion. Vote (4-1) Yes- R. Lindgren, J. Kaseno, J. Eid & G. Anderson. No- A. Hahn.
Approved.
Board Comments
- Lindgren – There is a celebration of life for Janette Fanta at their home on May 28th.
On May 22nd there will be a brunch for Harry Kellog at the Cornucopia
Sweet Shop. Ralph Erickson has passed away and there will be a service
on May 20th. Mowing operations are beginning and people are reminded
to keep the right of ways open. Individuals that did the holiday decorations
and gardens were thanked for their wonderful work.
Correspondence– – Reviewed
Committee Reports-Reviewed
. Sant. District – Holding tank haulers have been stopped from dumping into the
the lagoons, until the beginning of June. The sanitary district is continuing with their
noncompliance of phosphorus influents. A pontoon boat will be used to disperse
a product with the boat prop and a hose. The phosphorus influents will sink and
the ponds will need to be dredged. They are pursuing a grant for holding tank
waste that would be separate from the town waste.
Public Comment Period
Paul Ehlers – Not in favor of the new visitor center at the lakefront.
Ellie Umpiere – Spoke in favor of short term rentals.
Sarah Daley – Not in favor of the new visitor center at the lakefront
Richard Dunn – Not in favor of the new visitor center at the lakefront
Anna Hipke Kruger – Not in favor or the new visitor center at the lakefront
Old Business
- Senior Dining Update
There were fifteen people at the last senior meal provided by Bayfield County.
Senior meals are served at the Town of Bell Community Center on Tuesdays at
11:00 a.m.. Reservations must be made by 9:00a.m. the day before.
- Housing Location Inquiry Status
The Planning Commission is following up on this. They are looking at potential
properties where low cost housing could be built.
- Bipartisan Infrastructure STP Local 2022 submittal and plans for future
No new update
- Report on planning for Natl Scenic Byway Visitor Center
The town has submitted the initial application grant for a visitor center
for 1.6 million dollars. It would be located at the lakefront on Hwy 13.
- CaCl program – $40/200’ if requested by homeowner
A letter will be sent out to property owners about the program. The
letter will also include information about a pickup for large waste items for
people who need assistance.
- Create hiking /cc skiing trail by Airport. Name trail (s) – Doug Becker
The Parks & Lands committee is working with A. Hahn on phase 1 & 2.
Phase one would be the Harry Kellogg trail. The trailhead and limited
parking will be by the Recycling Center. Phase two would be the Bill Sloan
trail with the parking and trail head to be off Birch Hill road. The Bayfield
County Trail Club is helping with plans. The plan will be developed and
then sent to the town board for approval.
- Lost Creek Adventures Kayaking Event September 15-18 – Greg Weiss
- Weiss reviewed a map of the event showing parking, activity area,
vendor and launch area. The Parks and Lands will look at possible fees
for vendors.
- Vilas County – Protest Levy Limits – Jackie
After reviewing the Vilas County – Protest Levy Limits, J. Eid
recommended not to sign on. The town in the last twenty-eight years only
exceeded the levy limit twice and they did receive approval from the town residents
at the budget approval meeting. Discussion was held. A. Hahn made a motion
to sign on to the Vilas County Protest Limits and R. Lindgren 2nd the motion.
Discussion was held. A. Hahn rescinded his motion. This was tabled to next month.
- Status of Short-Term Rental (STR) Ordinance – potential moratorium – Jackie
The Planning Commission at its last meeting had a lively informed discussion of
STRs effect on the community. It was decided to have a committee to do research
and gather data to analyze. An ordinance will be written with a possible moratorium.
- Water sampling at Siskiwit Beach Well. Completed – awaiting results
The water sampling was completed. The town is waiting for the results.
- Cross Walk and Speed Sign – Matt Hipsher
- Hipsher is working with Red Cliff to rent their speed sign. It is trailer mounted.
New Business
- Appoint Harbor Commissioners
- Lindgren recommended Pauline Colamatteo for position 5 and Doug Becker
for position 6. A. Hahn made a motion to approve the appointment of Pauline
Colamatteo to the Harbor Commission and J. Kaseno 2nd the motion. Unanimous
decision. Approved. A. Hahn made a motion to approve the appointment of
of Doug Becker and G. Anderson 2nd the motion. Unanimous decision. Approved.
- Commissioner Terms, Posting for Nominations, Appointment/Reappointment policy
The Harbor Commission and Planning Commission need to be changed to require
that when a person’s term comes to an end that we ask for nominations. They
will appended.
- Request Nominations for Planning Commissioners due May 14.
All nominations are due by May 14, 2022.
- Community Center Security
This was tabled to next month.
- Consider Change to Fireworks Permit Insurance Requirements and Order larger signs.
The current ordinance requires a million dollar special rider insurance policy.
Most homeowners have a $300,000 rider. R. Lindgren recommended lowering
the ordinance insurance requirement to $300,000. Discussion was held.
The ordinance will be amended. The current fireworks signs are too small. Larger
ones will be ordered.
At 8:38 p.m., A. Hahn made a motion to adjourn the meeting and G. Anderson 2nd the motion. Approved.
Respectfully submitted,
MaryBeth Tillmans – Clerk