Salem Lakes board directs staff to continue negotiations on Paddock Lake fire services after closed session

The Village of Salem Lakes Village Board moved into closed session under Wisconsin Statute 19.85 to discuss negotiations and litigation strategy related to firefighting, inspection and rescue services with the Village of Paddock Lake. The closed-session motion cited deliberations concerning the purchase of public property, the investing of public funds and conferring with legal counsel about contract terms and debt‑service credits related to ownership of a heavy‑rescue fire truck.

The board recorded a motion to enter closed session that carried; Trustee Young recorded an abstention on the roll-call to enter closed session. After the closed session, the board reconvened in open session and voted to “direct staff to continue negotiations as discussed” on the fire contract with Paddock Lake. The motion to direct staff was made by Trustee Hopkins and seconded by Trustee Gant; the meeting record shows votes in favor by Trustees Barheit (recorded as ‘Barheite’ in parts of the transcript), Pulley, Favor, Gant, Hopkins and the president, with the chair announcing that the motion carried.

The transcript identifies the statutory basis for the closed session as Wis. Stat. 19.85(1)(e) (deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds or conducting other specified public business whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require closed session) and Wis. Stat. 19.85(1)(g) (conferring with legal counsel about litigation strategy). The board did not disclose additional contractual terms in the open-record portion of the meeting; the public record shows only the board’s direction to continue talks with Paddock Lake staff.